BMW X3 vs. Mercedes-Benz GLE
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLE contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
When comparing the BMW X3's and the Mercedes-Benz GLE's specifications and ratings, the BMW X3 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. The Mercedes-Benz GLE has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW X3's and the Mercedes-Benz GLE's specifications and ratings, the BMW X3 is a better car than the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Pricing: A used 2024 BMW X3 ranges from $45,645 to $62,947 while a used 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE is priced between $61,916 to $99,999. For a new model, the BMW X3's price is between $51,062 and $68,409, with the Mercedes-Benz GLE priced between $67,894 and $135,844.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW X3 loses 48.6 percent of its value and the Mercedes-Benz GLE loses 50.9 percent of its value. This means the BMW X3 retains 2.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW X3 is 8.6 out of 10 while the Mercedes-Benz GLE's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the BMW X3 being ranked 2 out of 68 Best Luxury Crossover SUVs and the Mercedes-Benz GLE being ranked 10 out of 68.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW X3 is 8.4 out of 10. For the Mercedes-Benz GLE the reliability rating is 7.2 out of 10. This gives the BMW X3 an advantage in reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW X3’s base engine makes 248 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz GLE base engine makes 255 horsepower. The X3 is rated to deliver an average of 25 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 499 miles. The GLE is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 608 miles.This gives the BMW X3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Mercedes-Benz GLE the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLE are comparable in regards to front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, both the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE have the same Top Safety Pick+ award.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$51,062 - $68,409
Starting MSRP:
$46,900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$50,139
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$22,400 - $79,100
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
$67,894 - $135,844
Starting MSRP:
$62,650
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$72,087
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$48,600 - $127,200
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$52,762
Price Range:
$45,645 - $62,947
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$57,314
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
$27,806 - $84,530
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1,280
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
8,426
# Good or Great Deals:
235
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$75,282
Price Range:
$61,916 - $99,999
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$82,938
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$54,923 - $133,203
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$23,395
Depreciation %:
49.9%
Resale Value $:
$23,505
Residual Value %:
50.1%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
50.5%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
40.4% - 56.6%
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
$32,229
Depreciation %:
51.4%
Resale Value $:
$30,421
Residual Value %:
48.6%
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
53.4%
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
43.3% - 61%
BMW X3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.4 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
Mercedes-Benz GLE Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.2 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW X3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11.3
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
12.3
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
10.7 - 13.3
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
19.9%
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Mercedes-Benz GLE
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
11
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
10.1
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
7.9 - 12.8
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
21.8%
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10.5
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact SUVs)
0.8 - 26.1
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
3.4
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
3.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
0.8 - 41.1
BMW X3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 68Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
16 out of / 27Ranking
20 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 68Ranking
20 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
23 out of / 68Ranking
25 out of / 68Ranking
26 out of / 59Ranking
43 out of / 68Mercedes-Benz GLE Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
1 out of / 5Ranking
2 out of / 68Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 68Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
3 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
4 out of / 68Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
5 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 10Ranking
8 out of / 68Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
10 out of / 68Ranking
11 out of / 19Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
22 out of / 68Ranking
27 out of / 68Ranking
36 out of / 68Ranking
45 out of / 59Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
BMW X3 Trim Levels
M40i, sDrive30i, xDrive30i
Mercedes-Benz GLE Trim Levels
AMG GLE 53, AMG GLE 63 S, GLE 350 4MATIC, GLE 450 4MATIC, GLE 580 4MATIC
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
TOP SAFETY PICK +
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
248 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque:
258 foot-lbs @ 1450 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.061 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 2000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.052 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 29 / 25
Range (city/hwy):
396 / 499 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
450 / 608 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Cargo Space:
28.7 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
62.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
42.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
59.3 inches
Rear Head Room:
40.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
58.3 inches
Cargo Space:
33.3 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4079 lbs
Width:
84.2 inches
Height:
66 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.8 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4916 lbs
Width:
84.9 inches
Height:
70.8 inches
Length:
193.9 inches
Wheelbase:
117.9 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.1 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/50R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/50R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic / Carbon Black Metallic / Jet Black
Blue
Phytonic Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Mineral White Metallic
Green
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Black / Obsidian Black Metallic
Blue
Twilight Blue Metallic
Gray
MANUFAKTUR Alpine Grey / Selenite Grey Metallic
Red
MANUFAKTUR Cardinal Red Metallic
White
MANUFAKTUR Diamond White Metallic / MANUFAKTUR Moonlight White Metallic / Polar White
Green
Emerald Green Metallic
Silver
Cirrus Silver Metallic
Interior Colors
Beige
Canberra Beige
Black
Black
Brown
Cognac / Cognac w/ Contrast Stitching / Mocha
Gray
Oyster
Red
Tacora Red
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Beige
Catalana Beige/Black / Macchiato Beige/Black
Black
Black
Brown
Bahia Brown/Black
Gray
Not available
Red
Not available
White
White/Black
