Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published record does not give the Mercedes-Benz GLE a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Mercedes-Benz GLE features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats, power tailgate, Burmester audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Subaru Forester. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Mercedes-Benz GLE gets nappa leather upholstery while the Subaru Forester offers cloth.

Drivetrain

The Mercedes-Benz GLE uses a Petrol producing 320kW and 560Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.3 seconds.

The Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the clear power advantage at 320kW vs 136kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Mercedes-Benz GLE measures 4,924mm long on a 2,995mm wheelbase, 269mm longer than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLE generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLE a 134L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz GLE seats 7 vs 5.

For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLE leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,800kg. That 1,700kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Subaru Forester's turning circle is 1.3 m tighter, 10.8 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Mercedes-Benz GLE costs about $2,879 a year (10.1 L/100km) and fuel for the Subaru Forester about $2,252 a year (7.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $627 a year less for the Subaru Forester.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLE) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Forester). Capped-price servicing: no data (Mercedes-Benz GLE), 5 years (Subaru Forester).

Where each one leads

The Mercedes-Benz GLE: more power (320kW against 136kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (630L against 496L) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,800kg).

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $199,900) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($2,252 a year against $2,879).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 65

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Mercedes-Benz GLE's 65 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: performance (Mercedes-Benz GLE ahead by 44 points), value (Subaru Forester ahead by 40 points), safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 25 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Subaru Forester costs about $627 less (7.9 L/100km against 10.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE, 496L in the Subaru Forester.

Common questions