Verdict
At RM470,800, the BMW X5 costs RM28,088 less yet brings 308 hp, 540 Nm and a 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Mercedes-Benz GLE’s 248 hp, 400 Nm and 6.1 seconds. It is also 445 kg lighter and its 650-litre boot is 160 litres larger. The GLE answers with a 31 kWh battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging, making it the more relevant choice for Malaysians able to charge regularly. Its RM440 annual road tax also undercuts the X5’s RM1,637 substantially.
Pick the BMW X5 if you want the lower RM470,800 entry price, stronger 308 hp/540 Nm output, faster acceleration and a 650-litre boot.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if 114 km of electric range, 11 kW AC charging, ventilated massaging front seats and RM440 annual road tax matter more than outright pace.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X5 RM470,800; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Performance: BMW X5 308 hp, 540 Nm and 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds; Mercedes-Benz GLE 248 hp, 400 Nm and 6.1 seconds.
- Plug-in system: BMW X5 has one motor with no battery, EV-range or AC-charge figure stated; Mercedes-Benz GLE has a 31 kWh battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC…
- Practicality: BMW X5 boot space is 650 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLE boot space is 490 litres.
- Weight: BMW X5 weighs 2,240 kg; Mercedes-Benz GLE weighs 2,685 kg.
- Road tax: BMW X5 RM1,637 per year; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM440 per year.
X5
- 308 hp and 540 Nm, with 5.4-second 0-100 km/h pace.
- 650-litre boot, 160 litres bigger than the GLE’s.
- Adaptive cruise control, head-up display and adaptive LED headlamps.
- No stated EV range, battery capacity or AC charging rate versus the GLE’s 114 km, 31 kWh and 11 kW.
- RM1,637 annual road tax versus RM440.
- Powered front seats lack the GLE’s massage and ventilation functions.
GLE
- 31 kWh battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging.
- Front seats have massage and ventilation functions.
- Four-year manufacturer warranty plus an eight-year/160,000 km battery warranty.
- Costs RM28,088 more than the BMW X5.
- 248 hp, 400 Nm and 6.1-second acceleration trail the X5’s 308 hp, 540 Nm and 5.4 seconds.
- 490-litre boot is 160 litres smaller, and passive cruise control replaces the X5’s adaptive system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM470,800✓ | RM498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CKD | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, Turbochaged with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 308 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | 540 Nm✓ | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 82 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 11 | — |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | Eight-speed Steptronic | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 8 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | ZF | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.4 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 250 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,935 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,765 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,975 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,240 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 83 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 650 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/40R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/35R21 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 SSR Run-flats | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Style 915M Light Alloy Wheels | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Air Suspension with Adaptive Dampers | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Adaptive LED headlights with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Driver and Passenger Powered Seats | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Sunroof | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A, 1 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Powered Sunroof Shade, Manual Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W) | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down with Anti-pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used X5 & GLE for sale
X5 vs GLE FAQ
Is the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The BMW X5 is the stronger all-round choice for pace, cargo room and purchase price: 308 hp, 5.4 seconds to 100 km/h and 650 litres. Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you can use its 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888, which is RM28,088 more than the BMW X5 at RM470,800. The GLE’s annual road tax is RM440, while the X5’s is RM1,637.
Which SUV is better for regular electric commuting?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is the clear choice. Its plug-in hybrid system has a 31 kWh battery, 114 km EV range and 11 kW AC charging. No equivalent battery, range or charging figures are stated for the BMW X5.
