Verdict
At RM236,912 more, the BMW X6 brings a 335 hp, 450 Nm inline-six and 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time, against the Mercedes-Benz GLE’s 248 hp four-cylinder and 6.1 seconds. It is the performance choice, with a 580-litre boot too. But the GLE’s 31-kWh battery, 114-km EV range and 11-kW AC charging allow electric running for owners who charge regularly, while annual road tax is RM440 rather than RM1,637. That is a serious Malaysian running-cost divide.
X6
Pick the BMW X6 if you want the quicker 5.4-second sprint, 335 hp inline-six and 90 litres more boot space.
GLE
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if you can charge a plug-in hybrid and want 114 km of EV range, far lower road tax and a much lower purchase price.
Key differences
- Price: BMW X6 RM735,800; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888.
- Engine output: BMW X6 335 hp and 450 Nm from 2,998 cc; Mercedes-Benz GLE 248 hp and 400 Nm from 1,999 cc.
- Electric drive: BMW X6 has a 12-hp motor and no stated EV range; Mercedes-Benz GLE has a 154-hp motor, 31-kWh battery and 114-km EV range.
- Performance: BMW X6 does 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and reaches 250 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLE takes 6.1 seconds and reaches 210 km/h.
- Annual road tax: BMW X6 RM1,637; Mercedes-Benz GLE RM440.
- Boot space: BMW X6 580 litres; Mercedes-Benz GLE 490 litres.
X6
- 335 hp, 450 Nm inline-six and 5.4-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 580-litre boot, 90 litres larger than the GLE's.
- Adaptive LED projectors, head-up display and power doors.
- RM236,912 pricier to buy.
- RM1,637 annual road tax versus RM440.
- No stated battery capacity, AC charging rate or EV range.
GLE
- 31-kWh battery, 114-km EV range and 11-kW AC charging.
- RM236,912 lower purchase price and RM1,197 lower annual road tax.
- Front-seat massage and ventilation, plus Airmatic air suspension.
- Slower 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time versus 5.4 seconds.
- 490-litre boot is 90 litres smaller.
- No head-up display or power doors.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM735,800 | RM498,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM1,637 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with Twin-scroll Turbocharger, Direct Fuel Injection and Variable Valve Timing and Lift with Mild Hybrid Assistance | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 2,998 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 335 hp at 5,500 rpm✓ | 248 hp at 5,800 rpm |
| Torque | 450 Nm at 1,500 rpm✓ | 400 Nm at 2,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 6 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol Hybrid/REV | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 12 hp | 154 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 200 Nm | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 8-speed Steptronic Sport | 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 | 4,960 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 2,004 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,700 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 | 580 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 275/35R22 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 315/30R22 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | United States (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 22" M Light Alloy Wheels V-Spoke Style 747 M | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Adaptive M Suspension | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) | 7 (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 | Electronic for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on outer two 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 Projectors with Auto High Beam | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function and Adjustable Lumbar | 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 System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Sunroof Shade, Rear Window Shades | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and 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 | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Surround View | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Power Door | Yes | — |
| 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 | 3 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 X6 & GLE for sale
X6 vs GLE FAQ
Is the BMW X6 or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The GLE is the better buy for a Malaysian owner who can charge, thanks to its 114-km EV range, lower price and RM440 road tax. Choose the X6 for its 335 hp inline-six, 5.4-second sprint and larger boot.
What is the price difference?
The BMW X6 costs RM735,800 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE costs RM498,888, so the X6 is RM236,912 more expensive.
Which SUV is better for electric commuting?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE. Its plug-in hybrid system has a 31-kWh battery, 114 km of EV range and 11-kW AC charging. The BMW X6 has no stated EV range or battery capacity.
