The BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE are two popular midsize luxury SUVs that offer the latest in luxury, space and technology. Of course, neither vehicle is aimed at the cost-conscious car shopper, but this is a situation where you do get what you pay for. Theyre also notable because theyre among just a few luxury SUVs available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Getting an X5 or a GLE with a plug-in hybrid might be just what youre looking for if youre looking to use less gas. These plug-in hybrids have hybrid batteries you can charge with a cord, enabling you to drive short distances on all-electric power. After that, they have a regular gas engine thats ready to go when the battery runs low. If you make a lot of drives that are less than 40 miles, and can frequently charge up the hybrid battery at home, you can save a lot on gas with these plug-in hybrids.
Its an appealing proposition. But which plug-in hybrid, the BMW X5 xDrive50e or Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e, is the better buy? Edmunds auto experts tested them both to find out.
Comfort and convenience
Interior comfort is one of the GLE 450es greatest strengths. Its spacious and classy-looking cabin provides lots of room for occupants in both rows. Seat heating, ventilation and massage functions combined with an excellent climate control system make for a truly relaxing drive. The back seat also offers ample room to accommodate bulky child safety seats, and the anchor points are conveniently located.
The X5 has a similarly roomy interior that offers vault-like isolation from the outside world. Premium materials, near infinite seat adjustability, and LED ambient lighting add to the decidedly upscale vibe. The climate controls and other in-car functions can be frustrating to use, however, because many are buried in the touchscreen displays labyrinth of menus. We also found it more challenging to install child safety seats in the X5 because the anchor points are more difficult to access.
Winner: Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e
Driving experience
When the battery is charged up, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e mainly stays in electric mode, only firing up its gas engine when the driver asks for all of the vehicles available power. When the engine does kick in, the transition feels seamless from behind the wheel. At Edmunds test track, the GLE 450e accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Light steering makes the GLE 450e easy to maneuver in tight spots, but at higher speeds, its not quite as planted as other versions of the GLE.
The BMW X5 xDrive50es hybrid system feels just as refined as the GLEs, but the BMW is noticeably sportier overall. The X5s powertrain generates gobs of power that push it to 60 mph in a brief 4.6 seconds. The X5 also feels more stable and secure around corners and along curvy roads.
Winner: BMW X5 xDrive50e
Sharp graphics and snappy response make the X5s infotainment system pleasant to use, but the menu layout can be difficult to navigate. Thankfully, BMWs voice controls are among the best in the industry, so commonly used functions, like changing the temperature of the air conditioning, can be performed without taking your eyes off the road.
The GLE 450es infotainment system also boasts high-resolution graphics and lightning-quick response times, but Mercedes-Benz has gone a step further with some genuinely impressive features that BMW doesnt offer. For example, an available augmented reality feature for the navigation system makes turn-by-turn directions easier to follow in the GLE by overlaying live video from the front camera with digital graphics like arrows and street names onto the central display.
Winner: Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e
Pricing and value
Pricing for the BMW X5 xDrive50e starts at $77,450 including destination, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e is priced slightly lower at $73,600. The X5 has a few extra standard features to justify its higher price, however.
Both the Mercedes and BMW boast impeccable fit and finish as well as a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. BMW sweetens the deal with three years of complimentary maintenance, but the GLE 450e wins back some points with efficiency. It is capable of an EPA-estimated 50 miles of all-electric range and then 23 mpg in combined city/highway driving when the battery is depleted. The X5 xDrive50e comes up a bit short with its estimated 38 miles of electric range and 22 mpg combined.
Winner: tie
Edmunds says
The 2026 BMW X5 xDrive50e and 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e are both impressive luxury SUVs that offer plug-in hybrid power and efficiency. You might prefer the X5 if sporty driving is a priority, but otherwise the GLE is the better option due to its more serene comfort and exceptional build quality and easier-to-use technology.
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This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds . Bradley Iger is a contributor at Edmunds.
**宝马X5**与**梅赛德斯-奔驰GLE**是两款备受欢迎的中型豪华SUV，集前沿豪华配置、宽适空间与尖端科技于一身。当然，这两款车型均非为注重成本的购车者设计，但正所谓一分钱一分货。它们的另一大亮点在于：二者是为数不多提供插电式混合动力系统的豪华SUV。
若您希望减少油耗，选择一款插电式混合动力的X5或GLE或许正合您意。这类混动车型配备可通过电缆充电的混合电池组，支持短途纯电行驶。当电量不足时，常规汽油发动机便会立即接替工作。如果您经常进行40英里以内的短途出行，并能在家频繁为混动电池充电，这类插电混动车型将为您节省大量燃油开支。
这确实是个诱人的选择。但在插电式混合动力车型中，究竟是宝马X5 xDrive50e还是梅赛德斯-奔驰GLE 450e更值得购买？埃德蒙兹汽车专家对两款车型进行了全面测试以寻找答案。
舒适与便利
内饰舒适性是GLE 450e混动车型的最大优势之一。其宽敞且豪华感十足的车厢为前后排乘客提供了充足空间。座椅加热、通风与按摩功能结合出色的空调系统，营造出真正惬意的驾乘体验。后排座椅还留有充裕空间放置大型儿童安全座椅，且锚点位置设计便捷。
X5同样拥有宽敞的车内空间，提供如保险库般与外界隔绝的静谧体验。高级材质、近乎无限的座椅调节功能以及LED氛围灯，共同营造出鲜明的豪华感。然而，空调控制和其他车载功能的使用体验却令人沮丧，因为许多操作被隐藏在触控屏复杂的菜单迷宫中。此外，我们还发现X5安装儿童安全座椅更具挑战性，因其锚点更难以触及。
获奖车型：梅赛德斯-奔驰GLE 450e
驾驶体验
当电池充满电时，梅赛德斯-奔驰GLE 450e主要处于纯电模式，仅在驾驶员需要车辆全部动力时才会启动汽油发动机。发动机介入时，驾驶者几乎察觉不到动力切换的顿挫感。在Edmunds测试赛道上，GLE 450e的0至60英里/小时加速仅需5.7秒。轻盈的转向系统使该车在狭窄空间操控灵活，但在高速行驶时，其稳定性略逊于GLE的其他版本。
宝马X5 xDrive50e的混动系统与奔驰GLE同样精致，但整体驾驶感受明显更具运动风格。该车动力系统爆发出的充沛动力，使其仅需4.6秒即可加速至60英里/小时。在弯道和曲折路段行驶时，X5也展现出更稳健的操控表现。
获胜者：宝马X5 xDrive50e
X5车型的娱乐信息系统凭借清晰的图像显示和迅捷的响应速度，为用户带来愉悦的使用体验，但其菜单布局设计可能略显复杂。值得庆幸的是，宝马的语音控制系统堪称行业翘楚，像调节空调温度这类常用功能，驾驶者无需移开视线即可轻松操作。
GLE 450e的车载信息娱乐系统不仅拥有高清画质和闪电般的响应速度，梅赛德斯-奔驰还进一步开发了宝马所不具备的多项惊艳功能。例如，其可选装的导航增强现实功能通过前摄像头实时画面与中央显示屏上的箭头、街道名称等数字图形叠加显示，使转向指引更为直观清晰。
获胜者：梅赛德斯-奔驰GLE 450e
定价与价值
宝马X5 xDrive50e的起售价为77,450美元（含运费），而梅赛德斯-奔驰GLE 450e的售价稍低，为73,600美元。不过，X5凭借多出的几项标配功能，其较高售价倒也物有所值。
梅赛德斯和宝马均以精湛的工艺与四年/5万英里全车质保为卖点。宝马还额外提供三年免费保养服务，但GLE 450e凭借能效表现扳回一城——其纯电续航里程达50英里（EPA预估），电池耗尽后城市/高速综合油耗为23英里/加仑。相比之下，X5 xDrive50e的38英里纯电续航和22英里/加仑综合油耗略显逊色。
获胜者：平局
埃德蒙兹表示
2026款宝马X5 xDrive50e与2026款梅赛德斯-奔驰GLE 450e均为搭载插电混动系统的高效豪华SUV，表现令人瞩目。若追求运动驾驶体验，X5或许更胜一筹；但若注重静谧舒适性、卓越工艺品质及更易上手的科技配置，GLE无疑是更优之选。
本文由汽车网站Edmunds提供给美联社。布拉德利·艾格（Bradley Iger）是Edmunds的特约撰稿人。
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