Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Volvo EX30
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Volvo EX30 scores higher, 76 vs 65
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 15 Oct 2026, price 28 Oct 2026
Mercedes-Benz GLE
27 of 27 standardFrom
$199,900
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 320kW
- Economy
- 10.1 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 630L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Volvo EX30
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$49,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 200kW
- Energy use
- 16.6 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2024
- Boot (seats up)
- 318L
Top CarSorted Score, 76 vs 65
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$199,900RRP
- with the Volvo EX30's standard kit: $199,900 (nothing to add)
$49,990RRP
- 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.
Price and cost per week
Mercedes-Benz GLE GLE53 AMG 4MATIC+
$199,900
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $901 a week in repayments ($199,900 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Volvo EX30 Plus Single Motor
$49,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 28 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $208 a week in repayments ($49,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Volvo EX30 starts $149,910 lower on RRP.
The Volvo EX30 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Mercedes-Benz GLE does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$208/wk(≈$902/mo)
Estimate on the Volvo EX30 at $49,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Volvo EX30Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
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.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the Mercedes-Benz GLE and 5 on the Volvo EX30.
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.
Recalls on our record
Mercedes-Benz GLE
- REC-006362 · published 16 Jun 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, the multi-purpose camera and/or the interior rear-view mirror on the windscreen may not have been bonded correctly and could detach.Year range on the notice: 2024
- 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
- 26 more on the model page.
Volvo EX30
- REC-006745 · published 19 Oct 2026The front seat head restraints may not have been manufactured to specifications.Year range on the notice: 2024 - 2026
- REC-006633 · published 26 Jun 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, some of the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may overheat at high charge levels.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-006551 · published 26 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may overheat at high charge levels.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- 2 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.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
49kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 153kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 153kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Mercedes-Benz GLE features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Volvo EX30 gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE stands out with panoramic roof, ventilated seats, Burmester audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Volvo EX30. The Volvo EX30 counters with Harman Kardon audio. 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 Volvo EX30 offers nordico/microtech fabric. Climate control is 2-zone in the Mercedes-Benz GLE and 1-zone in the Volvo EX30.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
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 Volvo EX30 responds with a Electric making 200kW and 343Nm, paired to a single-speed driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the clear power advantage at 320kW vs 200kW. 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, 691mm longer than the Volvo EX30 at 4,233mm (2,650mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Mercedes-Benz GLE generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE and 318L in the Volvo EX30, giving the Mercedes-Benz GLE a 312L advantage. The Mercedes-Benz GLE seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Mercedes-Benz GLE leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 1,600kg. That 1,900kg 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 Volvo EX30's turning circle is 1.1 m tighter, 11.0 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 electricity for the Volvo EX30 about $797 a year (16.6 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Mercedes-Benz GLE) and 5 years / Unlimited (Volvo EX30).
Where each one leads
The Mercedes-Benz GLE: more power (320kW against 200kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (630L against 318L) and the higher braked towing limit (3,500kg against 1,600kg).
The Volvo EX30: the lower starting price ($49,990 against $199,900).
The Verdict
Volvo EX30 scores higher, 76 vs 65
The Volvo EX30 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: value (Volvo EX30 ahead by 43 points), practicality (Mercedes-Benz GLE ahead by 35 points). Boot space with the seats up: 630L in the Mercedes-Benz GLE, 318L in the Volvo EX30.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$208/wk(≈$902/mo)
Estimate on the Volvo EX30 at $49,990 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Volvo EX30Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Volvo EX30?
The Volvo EX30 is the cheapest at $49,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Mercedes-Benz GLE by $149,910.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Volvo EX30 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Mercedes-Benz GLE, 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 has the largest boot at 630L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE makes the most power at 320kW.
Track the Mercedes-Benz GLE & Volvo EX30
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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