Verdict
At RM425,800, the BMW iX costs RM73,088 less than the RM498,888 Mercedes-Benz GLE yet brings a 100.6-kWh battery, 602 km EV range and 175-kW DC charging. That is the easier ownership case for a Malaysian buyer with reliable home or workplace charging, and its 402 hp, 700 Nm and 5.1-second 0-100 km/h time add real pace. The GLE’s 31-kWh battery manages 114 km, but its petrol plug-in hybrid system and 85-litre tank suit drivers who cannot plan journeys around chargers. It also gets ventilated, massaging front seats and a four-year manufacturer warranty.
Pick the BMW iX if you can charge regularly and want 602 km of EV range, 175-kW DC charging and quicker 5.1-second acceleration for less money.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE if petrol backup, an 85-litre fuel tank, ventilated massaging front seats and a four-year manufacturer warranty matter more than long EV range.
Key differences
- Price: BMW iX RM425,800 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE RM498,888
- EV range: BMW iX 602 km vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 114 km
- Battery capacity: BMW iX 100.6 kWh vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 31 kWh
- Charging: BMW iX 22 kW AC and 175 kW DC vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 11 kW AC and no DC rate listed
- 0-100 km/h: BMW iX 5.1 seconds vs Mercedes-Benz GLE 6.1 seconds
- Manufacturer warranty: BMW iX two years vs Mercedes-Benz GLE four years
iX
- 602 km EV range from a 100.6-kWh battery
- 175-kW DC and 22-kW AC charging
- Adaptive cruise control and head-up display
- Two-year manufacturer warranty versus four years
- No front-seat ventilation or massage function
- 200 km/h top speed versus 210 km/h
GLE
- Petrol plug-in hybrid system with an 85-litre fuel tank
- Front seats have ventilation and massage functions
- Sunroof and rear window shades
- RM73,088 higher purchase price
- 114 km EV range versus 602 km
- 11-kW AC charging and no DC charging rate listed
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM425,800✓ | RM498,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM545 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 5th-generation BMW eDrive, 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | — | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 248 hp |
| Torque | — | 400 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Number of Motors | 2 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 402 hp✓ | 154 hp |
| Motor Torque | 700 Nm✓ | 440 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 100.6 kWh✓ | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | 602 km✓ | 114 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 22 kW✓ | 11 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 175 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | — | 9 |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.1 seconds✓ | 6.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200 km/h | 210 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,965 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,970 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,695 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,000 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,525 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 500 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 255/50R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/50R21 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Pirelli P Zero E | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Aerodynamic Style 1012 Bi-colour Alloys | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual For Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with High Beam Assist | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Powered Front Seats with Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Panoramic Glass Roof | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 4 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 14.9" BMW Curved Display Live Cockpit Professional, 18-Speaker Harman Kardon Sound System | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Contactless Opening, Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Intelligent Personal Assistant; Flexible Fast Charger (Mode 2) included | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 5 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used iX & GLE for sale
iX vs GLE FAQ
Is the BMW iX or Mercedes-Benz GLE better?
The BMW iX is the stronger pick for regular charging: it is cheaper, covers 602 km on electricity and reaches 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Choose the Mercedes-Benz GLE if petrol backup, its 85-litre tank and ventilated massaging seats better suit your use.
What is the price difference?
The BMW iX is RM73,088 cheaper, at RM425,800 versus RM498,888 for the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Which one is better for EV driving?
The BMW iX is decisively better for EV driving, with a 100.6-kWh battery, 602 km range, 22-kW AC charging and 175-kW DC charging. The Mercedes-Benz GLE has a 31-kWh battery, 114 km range and 11-kW AC charging.