Compare the2025 Mercedes AMG GLEVS 2025 BMW XM

For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG GLE have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW XM doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes AMG 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 XM doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The AMG GLE has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The XM doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

Both the AMG GLE and the XM have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

The Mercedes AMG GLE (with optional crash prevention) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The XM has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

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

The AMG GLE 63 S’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 590) than the XM’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the AMG GLE 63 S 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid is faster than the BMW XM (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the AMG GLE gets better mileage than the XM running its gasoline engine:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the AMG GLE 63 S’ fuel efficiency. The XM doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The AMG GLE has 4.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the XM (22.5 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

The AMG GLE 63 S offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The XM doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

For better traction, the AMG GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the XM (F:285/40R22 & R:325/35R22 vs. F:275/35R23 & R:315/30R23).

The AMG GLE has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the XM; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The front and rear suspension of the AMG GLE uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the XM, which uses coil springs in front. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The AMG GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The AMG 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 XM doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The AMG 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 XM doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the AMG GLE is 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the XM.

For better maneuverability, the AMG GLE’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the XM’s (39.4 feet vs. 41 feet).

The Mercedes AMG GLE may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 800 pounds less than the BMW XM.

The AMG GLE 53 is 6.8 inches shorter than the XM, making the AMG GLE easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The AMG GLE has .1 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the XM.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the AMG GLE’s middle row seats recline. The XM’s rear seats don’t recline.

The AMG GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the XM with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 18.6 cubic feet). The AMG GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the XM with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 64.3 cubic feet).

The AMG GLE’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The XM’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the AMG GLE’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The XM doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The AMG GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the XM’s (7700 vs. 5952 pounds).

The AMG GLE’s standard Keyless-Go allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Comfort Access standard on the XM doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

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

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

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the AMG GLE to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The XM doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The AMG GLE 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 XM doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Mercedes GLE outsold the BMW XM by almost 27 to one during 2024.