So far, we’ve been very impressed with every version of the new BMW X5 we’ve driven. From the way it drives, to its luxurious interior and fantastic ride, we’ve really liked the new SUV. Its powertrains have been real highlights, though, especially the 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 of the X5 xDrive40i. It’s superb. However, the new X5 has a lot of great competition nowadays, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLE450. So can it tackle its Stuttgart rival? Motor Trend finds out.
In this new comparison test, we take a look at the BMW X5 xDrive40i and the aforementioned GLE450. Both of which use 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engines, though the Mercedes’ is a bit more high-tech with a 48-volt electrical system and a mild hybrid (MHEV) setup that adds a small electric motor. Though it’s not enough to power the Benz purely on electric power, it’s enough to aid the engine just a bit.
The Mercedes-Benz is the more powerful car of the two, with 365 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. While the BMW X5 xDrive40i gets 335 hp and 330 lb-ft. Though, the Bimmer ends up being quicker,getting to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds flat, compared to the Merc’s 5.6 seconds.
Motor Trend also claims the X5’s powertrain to be a bit better than the Mercedes’ and the standout of the car. However, when it comes to actually driving the two, overall, MT preferred the latter. They preferred the Mercedes’ better blend of handling and comfort over the BMW X5, which they felt was a bit too numb and soft to be any enjoyable on the road. While we didn’t feel that way about the X5, we didn’t compare it against the GLE. So we can’t really argue MT’s findings.
What we’re confident in saying is that both of these SUVs are better than they’ve ever been and if the Benz is indeed better than the BMW X5, we’d love to give it a try.
[Source: Motor Trend]
