{"id":85877,"date":"2026-06-30T11:10:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=85877"},"modified":"2026-06-30T11:10:47","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:10:47","slug":"2027-bmw-x5-g65-vs-mercedes-benz-gle-photo-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=85877","title":{"rendered":"2027 BMW X5 G65 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE Photo Comparison: The Rivalry Resets"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"post-summary-wrap\">\n<h3 class=\"post-summary-title\">Article Summary<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"post-summary-list\">\n<li>The 2027 BMW X5 G65 and new Mercedes-Benz GLE arrive close together, giving BMW and Mercedes a fresh head-to-head luxury SUV rivalry.<\/li>\n<li>BMW\u2019s new X5 looks cleaner, sportier, and more forward-thinking outside, while the GLE counters with a more traditional luxury-first personality.<\/li>\n<li>The GLE\u2019s interior remains a strong point, but the X5 appears to win decisively on performance, powertrain variety, and driver appeal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<p>BMW finally lifted the veil on the G65 BMW X5, and that means it\u2019s time to take a look at how the SUV compares to rivals from as many angles as we can think of. And to accurately compare any BMW, you need to look at how it stacks up against the brand\u2019s longest-running foe: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2026\/01\/29\/mercedes-benz-140-bmw-rivalry\/\">Mercedes-Benz<\/a>. In the G65\u2019s case, that means comparing it to the Mercedes-Benz GLE. Benz\u2019s big SUV, like Audi\u2019s, also entered a new generation this year, so it should be a perfectly fair race.<\/p>\n<h2>Exterior Design<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-side.jpg\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-side-830x467.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-514926\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" title=\"G65 X5 VS. MERC GLE SIDE\" alt=\"G65 X5 VS. MERC GLE SIDE\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-side-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-side-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-side-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-side-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-side.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A commonality shared with Audi\u2019s Q7, the Mercedes-Benz GLE suffers from a design that looks very \u201cforward from five years ago\u201d next to the G65 X5. An even larger front grille looks silly next to BMW\u2019s svelte, conservative but sporty X5 front end. Funny enough, both SUVs don unique headlight signatures, and we don\u2019t think the Merc\u2019s are necessarily bad. From the back, the Mercedes again looks already dated, thanks to what is effectively a light bar running the width of the hatch and exhaust outlets poking out underneath the diffusor. The Mercedes-Benz GLE holds up better from a side glance. It trades the BMW\u2019s sleek and sporty look for one decidedly \u201cbigger\u201d and more imposing overall. That impression lines up with reality. The GLE is 3 inches (76.2 mm) shorter, around one inch (25 mm) wider, and two inches (51 mm) taller than the X5.<\/p>\n<h2>Interior Design<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-interior.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-interior-830x467.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-514924\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" title=\"G65 X5 VS. MERC GLE INTERIOR\" alt=\"G65 X5 VS. MERC GLE INTERIOR\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-interior-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-interior-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-interior-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-interior-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-interior.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The next-gen GLE modernizes its interior layout, bringing it more in-line with what we see elsewhere from the brand. That means an interior dominated by the infamous Hyperscreen, but there\u2019s a little more to the story. Poking about the cabin, you notice a surprising number of real buttons. Merc\u2019s iconic seat adjustments \u2014 inelegantly and quietly co-opted by BMW in the early 2020s \u2014 remain in place. The climate control seems to have at least some real buttons attached to it, and switches and scroll wheels populate the center console. Mercedes has (almost) always done interiors well; and aside from the giant screen, we don\u2019t see anything egregious here. Before you ask: yes, the giant glass sunroof opens on both models.<\/p>\n<h2>Performance<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-Front.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-Front-830x467.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-514922\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" title=\"G65 X5 VS. MERC GLE FRONT\" alt=\"G65 X5 VS. MERC GLE FRONT\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-Front-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-Front-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-Front-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-Front-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-Front.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Performance is a very different story: there won\u2019t be much of a contest here. The Mercedes-Benz GLE has always been a more luxury-first experience than the X5, and that won\u2019t change with this generation. The base car in fact ships with a paltry turbocharged four-cylinder making 255 horsepower; compare to the base gas X5 that makes 400 horsepower from its legendary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bmwblog.com\/2025\/09\/30\/bmw-b58-engine-41-models-update\/\">B58 inline-six engine<\/a>. Even the top end of the GLE range taps out at 530 hp, less than both the M performance hybrid model (612 hp) and the first of the EV models (578 hp). This race was over before it started.<\/p>\n<h2>Technology<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-rear.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-rear-830x467.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-514925\" width=\"830\" height=\"467\" title=\"G65 X5 VS. MERC GLE REAR\" alt=\"G65 X5 VS. MERC GLE REAR\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-rear-830x467.jpg 830w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-rear-1820x1024.jpg 1820w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-rear-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-rear-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.bmwblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/G65-X5-vs.-Merc-GLE-rear.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 830px) 100vw, 830px\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Despite going about it in very different ways, the Mercedes-Benz GLE and G65 X5 offer roughly the same tech experience. Digital Keys, built-in navigation, voice assistance, and even augmented reality features are at your disposal regardless of the SUV you choose. Both trucks offer a passenger-side screen with streaming from apps for music, video, and more. Benz offers a 360-degree camera system as standard, however, which is a nice value boom. Meanwhile, only BMW offers an interior camera. Both companies are integrating AI into driving\/parking assistance systems.<\/p>\n<p>So, how does the new GLE compare to the G65 X5? It\u2019s actually closer than initial impressions might suggest. Mercedes\u2019 interior quality \u2014 assuming you can get past the screen \u2014 gives it a solid edge over the X5, in pictures anyway. Cross-shopping the two might prove to be a testing experience, especially for those unconcerned with how quick their luxury SUV is. For us, the design and performance are reason enough to jump headlong into the G65. What about you?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Article Summary The 2027 BMW X5 G65 and new Mercedes-Benz GLE arrive close together, giving BMW and Mercedes a fresh head-to-head luxury SUV rivalry. BMW\u2019s new X5 looks cleaner, sportier, and more forward-thinking outside, while the GLE counters with a more traditional luxury-first personality. The GLE\u2019s interior remains a strong point, but the X5 appears [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":85878,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-85877","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85877","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=85877"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/85877\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/85878"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=85877"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=85877"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=85877"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}