tin369

I had never looked at Mercedes before as I always thought the styling was more conservative and the demographic was older people.


Last year after our 3 series lease was about to end and we were shopping to replace my wife's car, we looked at the c300 and really liked it, the interior was much more luxurious and the exterior design was great too. That car changed out perception on MB and now I want to replace my SUV (rav4).


I am considering the GLE 350, BMW X5 and the MDX. I did test drive all three.


The german cars feel solid, with heavy door and tank like feel, but many of the things that come with the low price tag of MDX are option on both the GLE and X5.


The MDX surprisingly felt the lightest of the three and has a very quick acceleration, while the X5 was second and the GLE third. In sport mode the GLE and the X5 felt more peppy. The MD overall was great all around.


The interior of the MDX felt cheap, while the GLE looked nice expect for the dash which looked dated and I don't like the command infotainment, didn't care for MDX infotainment as well, the backup cam was not very high resolution.


The BMW X5 idrive is very easy to use for me and I liked it overall.


I really don't need the 3rd row, but the extra cargo space will come in handy. I would like to hear other peoples opinion and what they cross shopped before getting the GLE or if someone went with some other SUV all together.

johnnyderm

All three are about the same and will be a nice car. I have a gle63. Personally I would have gotten the X5 (if i was not in the market for a x5m or amg variant). The interior of the x5 is something i like alot. The screen is big and I felt more modern than the gle one which is on its way out.
That's my personal opinion. The GLE is pretty damn nice too though. Hard one.

eric1972

I personally have a GLE400, but the MDX is probably the best overall value proposition of the three (and will be reliable, too).

fabbrisd1

I find it of interest that dedicated MDX owner's - who have owned several MDX's - really/really don't like the "new" MDX - at all.

Where MDX customer retention was once very high - with the "new MDX" - retention has slipped a big notch.

Frankly - you should also look/drive the new GLC - more personal/intimate that the GLE - but with a "sweet spot" MSRP range.

janky

My wife has a 2009 MDX and we killed it every weekend for the last 7 years driving to Tahoe during the winter and maintenance has been very minimal. I honesty can't remember a more reliable car. One reason we're switching to the GLE 350 this fall is because we don't need the 3rd row any more but want commensurate cargo space. In addition, I've been happy with my Audi Allroad but we're giving that lease back and I'm switching to the SUV on a daily basis (while my wife is figuring out what she wants to drive) and I went in the direction of Mercedes since they still had a diesel option available on the GLE. Diesel option now looks at risk for a new 2017 GLE but I'm still sticking with my choice of GLE as the Q5 doesn't have enough cargo space and the Q7 is way too freaking big.

BACnMercedes

What they say is so true, but have you actually looked at an MDX? It's like Barbra Streisand meets Kim Kardashian. Or Kim slammed into the back of Barbra. Now the X5 to me looks like what cousin Eddie says, "someone stuck a banana in it and turned a monkey loose."
In the end though I do a GLE or an MDX (it's a Honda and will probably go for ever).
Good luck.

skw

Been in your shoes before. Can't go wrong with any of the 3. I had a '10 MDX that I traded a couple of years back for our 1st MB. never gave the brand a thought previously being a diehard BMW fan. The MDX is 7/10ths of the X5 performance wise. While it costs less than the other Germans, being a value is depends on what is important to you. If your priority is all the fluff being standard (HID/LED headlights, leather, etc) then go for the MDX. The X5 and GLE, well I'll go so far as to say MB and BMW are ahead of most others in the engineering, and R&D that goes into the safety systems, suspensions, and engines. The difference is there and it shows, even though some things are over engineered to a fault.

Seems like you've driven all 3 already. You didn't say which engines in the X5 or GLE you tested. The X5 is the performance one of the 3. It makes you want to drive. I would say the BMW engines top MB's as well, 6cyl diesel vs a 4, the twin scroll turbo I6 is more engaging than MB's NA V6 (although MB's has proven to be a solid block), the 50i has a turbo V8 vs the turbo 6 in the 400, and even in the M vs AMG, the GLE63's electronics will kick in to spoil your fun (can't be completely be turned off) just as you're getting started. The AMG exhaust though, even just stock is to die for. However, if you're like my wife and I, we have a car to have fun in. So the GLE wins out for our family vehicle with better dealership experience, more advanced (better?) safety systems, a smoother and more comfortable suspension, quieter interior, and bigger cargo area. Forget the specs on paper, load 2 strollers in the rear and you'll see which has more room. Similarly/decently equipped, both Germans come in at $62-64k. The MDX performs almost like the X5 for less money and Honda corporate engineering. That new 9 speed transmission seems to still have a few issues.

As for cross shopping, the only other vehicles we've decided we would write a check for is the X5 35d or 200 series Lexus LX570. There's the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade trucks which we looked at the GMT900's back in 2010 and decided against. I have had a Tahoe GMT1000 rental for 3 weeks now and been in a few Escalades (airport car service). Can't beat the space in them and how easy it is to drive despite it's size (hence the soccer moms). But you feel all the bumps in the road, noisy ride, I hate the touch screen, and just not a vehicle I would pay for. The LR4 is certainly capable and reliability has gotten better but the lease rates were higher than the BMW and MB and it felt a bit dated. It is also soon to be replaced by a new Discovery. We drove the QX80 and Sequoia which both drove big and not as easy to maneuver. CVT in the QX60 was a no go. GX460 was also a no go. Cayenne carried a higher price tag and was fun but again, we have the F30 to have fun in. Didn't like the styling of the Q7. Have not yet visited the XC90 as the idea of the 4 banger turns me off but will have to find some seat time out of fairness. Pathfinder and 4Runner both lost their edge. Xterra has gotten old and discontinued. Rav4 is too small for us but liked it so much that we got 2 (a used '08 & new '15) for my in-laws. Waiting to see the GLS350 for the 6cyl diesel. The GL feels just like our car now.

Theotiste

I just got the 2016 GLE 350 sport with leather. I can't help you with the other brands but I have had other SUVs glk. I personally love the GLE. It's so smooth driving. And the sport package with amg tires makes it look amazing. I love driving it. So comfortable and classy. I have never loved a car so much. Here's some pics. If you go with the GLE make sure you get leather over the mb tex. Much more comfortable. Most mb have the Tex but trust me. Leather is the way to go.

heron25

I looked at the same spectrum of suv's- ultimately my decision came down to my gut instinct of if my family is in the car, we're involved in a serious accident, which car do we walk away from the accident with minimum damage? Came down to MB or BMW and MB won out.

yxc145

All 3 are nice cars. But my personal preference is German/European cars.

X5 is very sharp looking. So is GLE. But GLE is only a facelift and will have a complete model change in 2019. Current X5 will probably run till 2021 or 2022. Performance wise, X5 is probably a little better than GLE350. Unless you opt for GLE400 or GLE43.

I am surprised that no one mentioned VOLVO XC90. It is an amazing car. Although in a different size category.

tin369

For the German cars, I was look at their base engines. I did drive the new GLS450 and to me it felt more quick to accelerate than the GLE350.
I do like the vale/features of the MDX and don't mind the design, but the infotainment puts me off. I will be leasing so long term ownership is not a concern.


I can definitely see the GLE350 for the wife when her C300 lease is up. I am leaning towards the X5.
I also did test drive the XC90, but couldn't come to terms to spend so much on that car, plus the 4 cylinder felt it was struggling.

yxc145

XC90 is actually about the same price as GLE and X5. around $55k. But it is a car to compete with the Mercedes GL (or new GLS) or Audi Q7 that are price around $75k+. I thought the technology, function, built quality of the car is great.
I do agree 4 cylinder is a bit lacking for a big car like that. But with the turbo and supercharger combo. It is not terribly slow. You get good gas mileage though.