Kia Sportage vs Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 7 Aug 2026, price 19 Aug 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe: we're still completing price, length, width, height and wheelbase, plus 2 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$38,490RRP
- no option data for this car
No price
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Kia Sportage & Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Kia Sportage
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
- REC-006112 · published 9 Oct 2024The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off.Year range on the notice: 2009
- REC-006109 · published 9 Oct 2024The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), responsible for the Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Control System and Traction Control System, can remain live even when the vehicle is switched off.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2014
- 10 more on the model page.
Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe
- REC-005948 · published 11 Apr 2024Due to a manufacturing issue, the threaded nut securing the 48 Volt wiring harness under the driver seat may become loose.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2022
- REC-005922 · published 20 Mar 2024Due to a software issue in the transmission control module, the transmission may not downshift under certain conditions and could result in a sudden loss of engine power.Year range on the notice: 2019 - 2023
- REC-005865 · published 21 Dec 2023The threaded nut securing the 12 Volt wiring harness may become loose over time.Year range on the notice: 2021
- 14 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
The Kia Sportage features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4-inch digital dash, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe counters with head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, power tailgate, Burmester audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia Sportage gets cloth upholstery while the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe offers nappa leather.
Drivetrain
The Kia Sportage uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 192Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe responds with a Petrol making 450kW and 850Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe has the clear power advantage at 450kW vs 115kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Boot space is 543L in the Kia Sportage and 655L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe a 112L advantage.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe leads with a 2,700kg braked capacity vs 1,650kg. That 1,050kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m to 12.3m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,309/year for the Kia Sportage and $3,534/year for the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. That is a $1,225 annual difference in favour of the Kia Sportage.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia Sportage) vs 5 years (Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe). The Kia Sportage has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia Sportage if: You want lower running costs, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Mercedes-Benz's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia Sportage: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 62
The Kia Sportage comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 62), taking 2 of 5 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: performance (Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe ahead by 46), fuel economy (Kia Sportage ahead by 39), value (Kia Sportage ahead by 29). The Kia Sportage will save you roughly $1,225 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe has a clear edge. The Kia Sportage adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia Sportage and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe?
The Kia Sportage is the cheapest at $38,490 before on-road costs.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Kia Sportage uses the least fuel at 8.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia Sportage holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe has the largest boot at 655L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,700kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia Sportage has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe makes the most power at 450kW.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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