HDLBRG

The warranty on my 2021 GLE 450 expires later this year. I'm happy with my GLE but not excited about the updated 2024 GLE; so, no plans to trade up this year.

Options:
1) Buy the extended warranty and wait for a better vehicle.
2) Buy a new Cayenne -- gorgeous design; handles better, but, will I really notice it here in flat Florida?

Has anyone made the switch, or considered making the switch from GLE to Cayenne?

Your thoughts?

AMMBGLE

I’d take option 3 get an AMG 53 lol. But if I had to choose between Cayenne and keeping the 450 I’d keep the 450 and extend warranty. Cayenne is smaller truck and gets pricey with maintenance. Both are good choices though.
Best wishes!

vincheung

My wife's Macan S lease expired late 2023 and we were shopping for the next step up GLE, Cayenne, X5. X5 was written off early. It was honestly a tough decision between the Cayenne and GLE. The Cayenne facelift is very very nice, interior touches, some slight exterior changes, and new headlights. Ultimately we ended up with a GLE580, pricing was a factor as when you start moving up the ladder to an S or GTS the cost goes up quite a bit, pricing at the dealer level was better on the MB side. Personally, I was never a fan of the Porsche infotainment, I found it cumbersome compared to previous, current generation MB, and could never quite get accustomed to it. Trunk space was another plus for the GLE, we move a good amount of things around for work, travel to second home for the weekends, stroller, and dog. The GLE trunk space is noticeably larger than the Cayenne.

Both are going to be solid choices in my opinion, comparable in regards to most specs, it'll be a tough decision for sure because it took us some time to make a final decision.

mbsl550.19

Funny you mention the 24 Cayenne and the 24 GLE 53 AMG. We liked both I mean you have to admit the Cayenne
is a tad sportier. But the GLE 53 had many soft touches inside where the Cayenne had hard plastic. Linked the UI
better in the GLE as well. Hard choice for sure. Good luck.

EL-34

before I bought my GLE 450 all of my options were open:
-audi sq7 or q7
-bmw x5
-porsche cayenne
-benz GLE

what made the difference for me was the extra interior space of the GLE and the sexy inline 6 turbo engine of the GLE 450. I couldn't justify the price increase of the 53 amg.

the inline 6 turbo is the best engine ever.

HDLBRG

Thanks for the feedback. I test drove an AMG 53 and didn’t like the seats -- a little too stiff and they seemed narrower due to the tighter side bolsters. I’m already leaning toward an extended warranty on my GLE, but will keep my options open. In order to get a Cayenne fully loaded like my GLE I’d have to spend about $105K ($120 for the Cayenne S) and deal with a cockpit that feels smaller, less open/airy. You’re right -- it’s a smaller vehicle -- the trunk is more narrow and shorter in height, so, my golf clubs wouldn’t fit flat across the back of the 2nd row seats and my mountain bike wouldn’t load standing up. All logic points to the GLE....If I just hadn’t gone a test-driven the new Cayenne.

HDLBRG

You’re right -- the 450 is smooth -- so smooth I have to keep my tach displayed so I can figure out if the engine is running. I’ve owned three X5s -- liked them all; however, I can’t get past the rectangular tablet jutting up in front of the dash, and my local BMW dealer does not have a good reputation -- so the X5 is out. I test-drove an Audi Q8 but thought the cockpit was "too pretty" for an SUV -- I know I’d put a scratch somewhere in all that piano black.

HDLBRG

You’re right -- the GLE has lots of carpet, leather and soft touch surfaces everywhere. Maybe that's why it’s so quiet.

HDLBRG

I am considering the 580 as well. How do you like yours?

chassis

I went from W166 GLE to a Cayenne. Big upgrade in every way.

You have some interesting choices now, because you can buy a MY24 facelift car off the lot, order a MY24 or buy a low mileage CPO MY23 pre-facelift version.

MY24 is a new car with all the benefits that relate to a new car. MY23 pre-facelift is viewed by many as being "the better babka" because of changes made in the facelift that "were better" in the MY23 and earlier.

Cayenne is a solid and robust platform that looks great and can be optioned to incredible levels of performance and luxury. This is my MY20 highly optioned S:

mbsl550.19

No had a MY2021 S580 had lots of problems. Some software and lots of false errors that only showed up once and then never again.
I think the S580 has gotten a very bad rap. Was a great car when it was not in the shop. I was tentative about going any distance
with it. Traded it in, took a bath of the trade in. Lots of S580 on the lots. Check the S580 forums. I think the car was just not
well sorted out before production began.

mikapen

Both the base Cayenne and standard air are Less Sporty than a GLE 53. They outperforms the 53 only IF the Cayenne is equipped with PDCC (their version of ARC). And rear steer.

Without those options, the 53 is better, both the handling and a more supple ride.

If / when the 53 gets ARC again, it's a better ride and handling package than the Cayenne.
Or get a 63S, which has ARC and more as standard.

I wish Cayenne had kept my favorite engine, the 2.9L V6, but the put the lower performing V8 in it. The V8 mystique I guess.

I'm a Porsche fan. I love my Porsche dealer. I had a Cayenne and a Macan. I drive a GLE 53. That says something.

(I admit I haven't driven a '24 of either brand.)

Tifrazvan

Last year I had to make the same decision, I went with the 53AMG because of the extra space. Both are very solid cars, it's up to you to make a decision.

jcapotos

Im in the same boat. I have a 2020 GLE 450 which has been trouble free for 4 years. I checked out the 2024 GLE and feel there have been no significant upgrades in 4 years...I drove the Cayenne as well, but wasn't blown away by it. I believe the V6 is a retuned VW engine and for the price point on the Porsche, I would expect better. I am seriously considering an Audi Q7 (I had a TDI years ago and loved the car). I'm going to test drive the BMW X5 but expecting the ride to be a bit hard for my tastes these days.

chassis

All engines for Lamborghini, Bentley, Porsche, Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW are from…Volkswagen group. “Audi” or “Porsche” or “Lamborghini” engines are nothing burger marketingspeak. Except the flat 4 and 6 for 911 and Cayman/Boxster.

The difference is tuning. Engine fundamentals are the same. Like the stellar Nissan-MB relationship, may it rest in peace, which produced the disaster M274 and descendant engines.

retom

Of course, no one on the MB forum will probably tell you that Cayenne is better than GLE. Just like no one on the Porsche forum will say that the GLE is better than the Cayenne. And on Audi forum everybody will be recommending you Q7 or Q8
I had a GLE AMG 63S Coupe on order. I gave up and ordered a Cayenne Turbo GT after testing both cars and reading of many forums of these models. Unfortunately, the Cayenne is 20% more expensive, but it is much, much more fun to drive and it's probably more reliable.
Test the new Cayenne and new GLE and decide for yourself what is best for you.

SW20S

If you care about the dynamics of a car, the Cayenne is a huge upgrade. Its more expensive sure, but you can immediately understand where that additional cost goes which you can't always do when comparing cars.

SW20S

Beautiful, I love the silver

chassis

Thanks! Dolomite Silver Metallic, it's a great color. Neutral silver in direct sunlight, and it takes on some blue (like the Dolomites in northeast Italy) in clouds and shade.

The flake in the paint is extremely fine which makes the metallic sheen unique and smooth.

mikapen

I don't think that can be said if you drive both cars back to back, with similar suspension goodies.

My experience is that Mercedes finally has a chassis that's better than Porsche, with the 167 model.

Again, I'm saying this without having driven a '24 model of either brand, but the landscape changed significantly in 2020.

You definitely need PDCC on a Cayenne to compete with a GLE AMG in the handling Department.

A 20 - 25% price premium over Mercedes doesn't translate into handling advantages any more, IMO.
I have a very revealing test drive of about 30 miles, and a 167 is more responsive, handles varying pavement conditions better, rides better and is less confused when traction is iffy. MB out Porsche-d Porsche in those metrics, which really surprised me, a PCA member, not a MBCA member.

I like the Porsche color palette better, though.

Crito

I'd rather take my girlfriend shoe shopping than custom order a Porsche. I guess they know their market though. The "bespoke crowd" certainty seems willing to pay for a Frozen Berry painted car with a Blackberry interior that has body colored badges and their name spelled out in lights on the front seats. It's just not for me.

chassis

The good news for you is that you can buy a Porsche off the lot/showroom, for both new and CPO models.

Crito

I almost traded in my EQE 500 SUV for a used Taycan EV. It's almost impossible to break-in an EV wrong, unlike an ICE vehicle. But was just a little too girly and "turbo" really makes no sense in an electric vehicle.

cupecoy

Got a Macan EV on order for the wife and waiting on the Cayman EV as well for a test drive on that. MB still has better interior IMHO.

HDLBRG

I had a “disappointing” experience when I test-drove a 2024 EQE 500 a few months ago. First off, the pop-out door handles felt cheap, and the first time I tried the door didn’t open. The salesman told me, "you have to pull on this side of the handle to get them to work." When I got in, It felt “small” inside, like a sub compact, and I felt “buried” due to the high beltline and tall dash. When we pulled out of the dealership we heard a loud and constant beeping “front hood” alarm and a “return to service” warning. We pulled over to open the hood but you can’t -- it’s secured and can only be opened by MB Service Technicians. Great -- can you imagine that happening while you’re on a road trip. Otherwise, I loved the smooth and very quick acceleration.