New Mercedes GLE takes on its rivals

Mercedes GLE 2019

Among the technical highlights of the GLE is the active suspension technology, which is made possible by the 48-volt electrical system. In other words, the GLE can keep its bodywork level over bumps to improve ride comfort. There is a similar feature in the Audi A8, but it's not available with the Audi Q7, and the BMW X5 also has to fit it as an option.

Conclusion: The Mercedes takes it.

Mercedes GLE 2019

In the cockpit, the Mercedes can now be specified with two huge 12.3-inch displays. That should not be a coincidence, because the new BMW X5 has two monitors in exactly the same size, even if that feature is not as noticeable as in the Mercedes. The Q7 also has a 12.3-inch instrument display, called the Virtual Cockpit. However, the largest infotainment display (MMI navigation plus) only measures 8.3 inches.

In this respect, then, Mercedes and BMW are in front.

Mercedes GLE 2019

For the first time, the GLE is also available as a seven-seater. It stands out clearly from the competitors of Audi and BMW - neither of which can offer a third row of seats.

An advantage for the Mercedes!

Audi Q7 2015

The Audi Q7 was launched in 2015, so it's a three-year-old design. Nevertheless, it offers a lot of technology that the GLE is only just getting. This includes, for example, a trailer assistant, a lane exit warning and semi-autonomous driving functions. For example, like the Q7, the GLE now brakes before the roundabout, and then accelerates agian as if by magic. Whether you like it or not, the fact that Audi offered it in 2015 is proof of "Vorsprung durch Technik".

Respect, Audi.

Audi Q7 2015

Like the GLE, the Q7 offers optional air suspension, as does the X5. The Q7, however, is made more manoeuvrable by the addition of rear-wheel steering, just like the BMW X5. The GLE is not offered with such technology.

A plus for Audi and BMW.

Audi Q7 2015

In this image, you can see the Audi's small infotainment display, but let's ignore that for a second and look at the engines. The Q7 is offered with two 3-litre diesel engines; one with 228 bhp and the other with 282 bhp. At present, the SQ7, with its V8 diesel engine and electrically assisted turbochargers is "sold out", and petrol engines have been off the menu for some time. With the GLE, petrol engines are available, alongside diesel units and, in future, a plug-in hybrid is planned. BMW too is planning a plug-in X5, while petrol and diesel engines will remain on offer.

As a result, BMW and Mercedes offer much more variety and choice.

Audi Q7 2015

The Q7 offers 805 to 1,990 litres of luggage space, but with 825 to 2,055 litres on offer in the back of the GLE, Mercedes leaves its Ingolstadt-based rival behind. The new X5, meanwhile, disappointed with its boot space, which only measures 645 to 1,860 litres.

The Mercedes, then, takes first place, although its advantage over the Audi is not huge.

BMW X5 2018

As far as the chassis is concerned, the X5 can offer active roll stabilisation, which no longer works using electrohydraulics. Instead, it's electromechanical, with electronic actuators controlling the anti-roll bars' torsion, thus reducing roll through corners. However, this isn't as sophisticated as the GLE's system, and there's no camera system to prepare the car for uneven surfaces.

Advantage Mercedes.

BMW X5 2018

Der alte X5 hatte wie der alte GLE einen permanenten Allradantrieb. Beide Autos schwenken nun um. Beim GLE haben die kleinen Motorisierungen zwar weiterhin den permanenten Allradantrieb mit 50-zu-50-Kraftverteilung, aber die größeren bekommen einen variablen Allradantrieb mit Lamellenkupplung. Der X5 hat künftig in allen Versionen einen variablen Allradantrieb, der auch nur die Vorderräder antreiben kann. Der Q7 besitzt ebenfalls einen Antrieb mit variabler Kraftverteilung auf die Achsen. Normalerweise werden 40 Prozent der Kraft nach vorne und 60 Prozent nach hinten geleitet, maximal sind vorne 70 und hinten 85 Prozent möglich.

Like the old GLE, the old X5 had permanent four-wheel drive, but both cars are now a little more flexible. The lower-powered GLEs continue to have a traditional 50/50 power split between the axles, but larger engines come with a variable system controlled by a clutch. The X5, meanwhile, offers variable four-wheel drive across the range, with up to 100 percent of the power able to go to the front wheels if needs be. The Q7 is also variable, and it's capable of sending up to 70 percent of the power to the front wheels or up to 85 percent to the rear wheels.

The most variable systems, therefore are the BMW's xDrive and the GLE's 4Matic. The Quattro system in the Audi is the least flexible.

BMW X5 2018

For the first time, BMW has put a digital instrument display in the new X5. Whether you like it or not will be down to taste, but to us, it feels futuristic and new, with its semi-circular instruments crowding around the satellite navigation display.

Our personal choice? The GLE's cabin looks the best.

BMW X5 2018

We've already mentioned that the Q7 offers almost as much boot space as the Mercedes, but the BMW X5 fights back with a clever split tailgate. But we're actually here to look at the prices. The Audi is currently on sale here in the UK for £51,425 for the basic 3-litre V6 diesel model. The X5 and GLE are both yet to arrive on these shores, and Mercedes hasn't told us how much the GLE will cost. The 3-litre diesel X5, though, will cost £56,710 when it arrives in UK showrooms.