2025 BMW X3 vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, presented a unique aesthetic that set it apart from other Mercedes-Benz SUVs. It shared some visual bulk with models like the GLS, GLC, and GLB, yet maintained a more rounded profile reminiscent of its predecessors. The GLE's design featured squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille and headlights, giving it a wide stance. However, the sharply tapering side glass and rakish windshield and back window created odd proportions, especially in the GLE Coupe models. Despite not being the most handsome in the lineup, the GLE's styling adhered closely to the brand's identity, ensuring it was unmistakably a Mercedes-Benz.

Inside, the GLE offered a departure from the typical black, grey, and tan interiors, with options like the Yacht Blue interior in the U.S. The cabin felt upscale, featuring chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system, and 64-colour ambient lighting that transformed the space into a vibrant environment. The interior was designed to feel special and luxurious, enhancing the overall experience of the vehicle.

The 2025 BMW X3, redesigned for the model year, boasted a seductive appearance for a two-box SUV. Its oversized grille and aerodynamically honed flanks contributed to its athletic look, complemented by a long and tall hood, captivating dashboard-to-axle ratio, and tapering greenhouse and roofline. The test vehicle's expressive 21-inch wheels emphasized its taut, crouched appearance. The Arctic Race Blue paint, with its chilly silver undertones, paired perfectly with the machined surface wheel finish, gloss black M Sport details, and Calm Beige upholstery. The Veganza artificial leather, with its perforated and quilted surfaces, looked and felt authentic.

Inside, the X3's cabin was straightforward, with plastic trim elements that glowed with the selected ambient lighting colour. While BMW provided quality materials where expected, some areas revealed the X3's price point, particularly the plastic used lower in the cabin. The lack of liners in the lower panel storage bins resulted in items sliding around and rattling. Despite these shortcomings, the X3 was priced competitively against its primary rivals, offering good value for its features and performance.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a diverse range of powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG variants. The GLE 350 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. The GLE 450 4Matic boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, offering 80 kilometres of electric range.

The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ performance models rounded out the lineup. The AMG GLE 53 used an enhanced inline-six powertrain to deliver 429 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. The AMG GLE 63 S featured a hand-assembled twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.9 seconds. The GLE's refinement impressed, but even in AMG spec, it felt larger than it was, making maneuvering in tight spaces challenging.

The 2025 BMW X3 30 xDrive featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Despite its weight of 1,894 kilograms, the X3 achieved a credible 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds, thanks to its eight-speed automatic transmission and standard xDrive AWD system. The engine's power curve provided peak torque or horsepower from 1,600 rpm to near redline at 6,500 rpm. The X3 30 xDrive also included a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, enhancing off-the-line responsiveness and making the engine's automatic start-stop system nearly imperceptible.

For those seeking more power, the X3 M50 xDrive offered a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 393 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The X3's M Sport package, sport-tuned suspension, and optional 21-inch wheels with performance tires provided a dynamic driving experience, though the ride quality on imperfect pavement was less comfortable. The X3 excelled on twisty roads, offering a delightful driving experience for a compact crossover SUV.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though Mercedes did not publish specs for third-row space. The GLE offered similar headroom to most rivals, but models like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80 provided slightly more legroom. The GLE's high seating position was SUV-like, but outward visibility was limited. The front seats in the AMG test car were heavily bolstered, making entry and exit more challenging.

Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitor SUVs, with headroom nearly identical to the BMW X5 and more legroom than the BMW, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX. The GLE offered 894 litres of cargo space behind the second-row seats, competitive but less than the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, the GLE provided 1,790 litres of cargo space, the most among its competitors. The GLE's maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms ensured it could handle substantial loads.

The 2025 BMW X3's interior felt wider and larger than most compact crossovers. The simple dashboard featured the BMW Curved Display, housing a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Angular trim elements illuminated at night, visually extending the cabin's width. The front seats offered power adjustment, heating, and Veganza artificial leather in a perforated and quilted pattern. The optional ventilation system worked well on warm days.

The rear seats, however, were less comfortable, with passengers positioned too low and longer-legged individuals complaining about the hard front seat-back panels. The cargo area measured 892 litres and included a lightweight, easy-to-remove cargo cover, netted storage area, grocery bag hook, and illumination. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat allowed for carrying longer items and passengers simultaneously.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a standard interface with two 12.3-inch screens, one serving as a digital instrument cluster and the other as an infotainment touchscreen. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad, steering wheel touchpads, and the central touchscreen, could be confusing, but the native voice recognition system simplified interactions.

The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car offered additional settings, including six drive modes and the ability to adjust damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. Some GLE models could be equipped with a dashboard off-road display and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capabilities.

The 2025 BMW X3's BMW Curved Display was powered by the new Operating System 9, an evolution of iDrive 8.5. The system offered BMW's Quick Select user experience, simplifying navigation through menus and settings. Owners could create profiles using the MyBMW smartphone app, though our attempts were unsuccessful. The default Guest profile did not provide access to BMW Digital Services, and the system occasionally froze or became unresponsive.

Despite these issues, the navigation system with optional augmented video feature provided accurate directions and arrival estimates. Wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity worked flawlessly, offering a reliable alternative to the native infotainment features.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, though some were not standard. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, crosswind assist, parking assist, a driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The Pre-Safe system aimed to mitigate collision effects by tightening seatbelts, closing windows, and emitting a sound to protect against hearing loss.

The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control with speed-limit and curve adaptation, stop-and-go functionality, and lane-change assist. The package also included evasive steering assist and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The GLE earned a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings.

The 2025 BMW X3's driver assistance features were more rewarding than its infotainment system. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and parking sensors. The Premium Package added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Steering Assistant technology.

The Parking Assistant Professional Package offered semi-automated parking tech, remotely operable via the MyBMW app. However, using Steering Assistant without adaptive cruise control detracted from the X3's driving character. The 2025 BMW X3 earned a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for the driver and front passenger in the frontal-impact crash test.