Compare the2026 Mercedes GLEVS 2026 BMW X3

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLE are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The GLE has Car-to-X Communication, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The X3 doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from other vehicles.

Both the GLE and the X3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the BMW X3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the BMW X3:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the GLE is 1.4% less likely to roll over than the X3.

There are over 9 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are BMW dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the GLE’s warranty.

The GLE has more powerful engines than the X3:

As tested in Car and Driver the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the X3 30 xDrive 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the GLE running on electricity gets better mileage than the X3:

The GLE 450e can travel with zero emissions for 49 miles. The X3 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The GLE’s standard fuel tank has 5.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the X3 (22.5 vs. 17.2 gallons).

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the X3.

For better stopping power the GLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X3:

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the X3 (255/50R19 vs. 245/50R19). The GLE 450/580’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X3 (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. F:255/40R21 & R:285/35R21).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE 450/580 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The X3’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the GLE can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The X3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The GLE 450/580 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. BMW doesn’t offer an active suspension on the X3.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The X3 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLE’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The X3 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the X3 (117.9 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the X3.

For better maneuverability, the GLE’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the X3’s (39.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X3 30 xDrive (9.2 vs. 8.5 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the X3 can only carry 5.

The GLE has .1 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 4.6 inches more rear legroom and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the X3.

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the X3 with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 31.5 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X3 with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 67.1 cubic feet).

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the X3’s (7700 vs. 4001 pounds).

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X3, the GLE has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE’s standard easy entry and exit feature raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The GLE’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The X3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the GLE to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The X3 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the X3’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The X3 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the GLE has standard extendable sun visors. The X3 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the X3.

The GLE has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the X3.

The GLE 580 has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The X3 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

and e Mercedes GLE comes in four door bodystyles; the BMW X3 isn’t available as a .

The GLE is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The X3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.