Which is Better: BMW X6 or Mercedes Benz GLE coupe?

This article will compare the BMW X6 sports utility vehicle and the Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe and answer the following questions: What are the engine options available in the BMW X6 and the Mercedes Benz GLE coupe? What are the different models in the BMW X6 and Mercedes Benz GLE coupe? Which one should you buy?

Which is Better: BMW X6 or Mercedes Benz GLE coupe?

The Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe is the best and the following table compares the specification of the Mercedes GLE and BMW X6:

Mercedes Benz GLE is the only one that comes in the standard SUV body and the coupe-style while the BMW is only available in the coupe style. The sloping roof at the rear gives a unique look to both the car but it also reduces the interior space in the back. 

The styling of both the cars is a subject of personal preference but the Mercedes Benz GLE coupe is more powerful and a better-equipped car than the BMW X6. the Mercedes Benz GLE comes with airmatic plus suspension as standard and the interior equipment like front ventilated seats.

MBUX infotainment system and advanced driver assistance systems like active blind spot assist and active brake assist makes the Mercedes Benz a better car than the X6 even though the Mercedes Benz GLE is more expensive than the BMW X6.

BMW also offers all the advanced driving assistance systems and interior features but they come as an optional extra. The X6 comes in the X  line and the M sports trim, the M sports models also have carbon fibre sports parts like a rear spoiler, mirror covers, M sports exclusive wheels and sporty steering wheels. Mercedes Benz GLE coupe comes in an AMG line trim which means all the parts that BMW offers in the X6 Msports trim comes as a standard in the Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe.

BMW first introduced the X6 as a sports utility coupe in 2008. The first generation of the X6 had a very successful production run from 2008 to 2015. BMW produced more than 25000 units in the first year since the launch and the production numbers kept on increasing in the following years. 

The X 6 was a unique vehicle in the luxury car market as no other manufacturer sold a sports utility vehicle that looked like a coupe. The BMW X6 combined the practicality of a sports utility vehicle and the styling of a coupe car.

Mercedes Benz also realized that there is a demand for sports utility vehicles that looked more unique rather than the same boxy design and launched the first generation of the GLE coupe in 2015. 

It was based on the GLE SUV platform model series W166. The W 166 GLE provided a very reliable platform for the GLE Coupe. The BMW X6 is currently in its third generation while Mercedes Benz has updated its GLE coupe with the launch of the fourth generation of the GLE. 

What are the engine options available in the BMW X6 and Mercedes Benz Coupe?

The BMW and the Mercedes Benz GLE coupe come with both petrol and diesel engines but the GLE also has a mild-hybrid tech with an integrated starter generator in the petrol variant. 

The BMW straight six-cylinder petrol engine is 3 litres and produces  355 horsepower and 450 NM of torque. The GLE also has a 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 429 horsepower and 520NM of torque.

The petrol engine in the GLE is also very advanced with a 42-volt high voltage electrical system.

In the diesel engine, BMW X6 has the tried and tested B57 turbocharged diesel engine producing 350-390 horsepower and 600-700 NM of torque. Mercedes Benz GLE has a twin-turbocharged OM656 engine producing 325 horsepower and 700 NM of torque. 

OM 656 is also the latest Mercedes Benz diesel engine with low and high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation to reduce NOX emissions. AdBlue injection with selective catalytic reduction can be also found in the latest models. These exhaust gasses after treatments are present to fulfil emission regulations.

The high-performance M sports X6 and Mercedes GLE 63 coupe are powered by V8 engines, both the high-performance versions are evenly matched with more than 600 horsepower under the hood. The Mercedes Benz GLE 63 coupe is better equipped and offers exclusive designo packages to customers should they choose to personalize their vehicle.

Mercedes Benz uses a more advanced 9 G-Tronic transmission in the GLE Coupe, the new transfer case is also capable of sending 100 per cent of the power to either the front or rear axle. BMW X6 only comes with an 8-speed automatic gearbox and the four-wheel-drive is not 100 percent variable as the Mercedes Benz GLE.

What are the Different model variants in the BMW X6 and the Mercedes Benz GLE coupe?

BMW offers a lot more models in the X6 model range compared to the Mercedes Benz. Following are the BMW X6 models Currently available in the market.

• BMW X6 xDrive40i
• BMW X6 M 50/ 50d
• BMW X6 Xdrive 30d/50d

Mercedes Benz offers the GLE coupe in fewer variants but all the models are fully equipped and customers can also place special orders.

• Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe 450
• Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe 400D
• Mercedes Benz GLE 53 Coupe
• Mercedes Benz GLE 63 Coupe

Which one should you buy: BMW X6 or the Mercedes Benz GLE coupe?

The Mercedes Benz GLE is the outright winner despite its higher price. All the model variants in the Mercedes Benz GLE coupe are AMG line models and get all the AMG performance parts like AMG bonnet, and wheels as standard. 

The GLE also gets advanced driver assistance systems like Active blind spot assist, and Active Brake Assist as standard. The BMW X6 is cheaper than the GLE coupe so if the budget is limited then BMW can be a better choice as it offers more model variants.

The Mercedes Benz has always been more reliable in the long run and with a massive dealership network around the world, owning a Mercedes Benz GLE coupe can be easier than the X6. Mercedes Benz also offers pre-paid service packages for more than 6 years and there are extended warranty packages which will take care of any unexpected repairs. 

Other articles about  BMW you may be interested in

Which is the best BMW, Mercedes Benz or the Porsche?

BMW 3 Series or Mercedes Benz C Class?

What is the cost of ownership for BMW and Mercedes Benz?

Conclusion.

The Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe model is based on the latest generation of the GLE/GLS models. It is miles ahead of the BMW X6 third-generation model. The BMW X6 is more affordable but the reliability issues and lack of basic interior features mean the cost of owning an X6 can easily exceed the cost of ownership of a Mercedes Benz GLE Coupe.