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2024 Porsche Cayenne vs Mercedes-Benz GLE Class: What To Choose?
Porsche’s Cayenne, inspired by its sports car legacy, injects thrill into each SUV, especially the mid-size Cayenne, with an exciting driving experience and nimble cornering. Despite not reaching the 911 Turbo’s performance, the Cayenne impresses with athleticism, luxurious features, and ample space for passengers and cargo. In comparison, Mercedes-Benz’s GLE-class SUV caters to brand loyalists with familiar elegance and features, competing closely in the mid-size segment. The GLE offers aesthetic appeal, technological sophistication, and a range of powertrains, from a turbo inline-four to a potent twin-turbo V8. Notably, the GLE stands out with its expansive dashboard display and excels in off-road capability, particularly with an optional air suspension, distinguishing itself from rivals like the Genesis GV80 and Volvo XC90.
| Porsche Cayenne | Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class | |
| Dimensions | 194.1 in x 78.1 in x 65.2–66.1 in | 194.3 in x 76.7 in x 70.7 in |
| Engine | 3.0L turbocharged V6 + AC motor | 3.0L turbocharged inline-6 + AC motor |
| Horsepower | 512 hp | 362 hp |
| Torque | 553 lb-ft | 369 lb-ft |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.9–4.0 sec | 5.3 sec |
| 0-100 MPH | 10.4–10.5 sec | 13.9 sec |
| Top-Speed | 163 mph | 129 mph |
Porsche Cayenne
Engine & Performance
Porsche gives you a bunch of choices for the Cayenne, starting with a turbocharged 3.0L V6 that has 348 hp. If you’re into saving some gas, there’s a plug-in hybrid version called the E-Hybrid. It brings together an electric motor and a turbocharged V6, giving you a total of 463 hp. The Cayenne S steps it up with a 468-hp twin-turbo V8 that sounds awesome and accelerates like a champ. If you want a bit of both worlds, there’s the S E-Hybrid, using a turbocharged 3.0L V6 and an electric motor for 512 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. We might also get a super-powerful GTS model, but Porsche hasn’t officially confirmed that. No matter which engine you pick, they all work with a smart eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD.
Price & Mileage
The Porsche Cayenne starts at $80,850 for the regular Cayenne and can go up to $100,750 for the Cayenne S E-Hybrid. We like the basic Cayenne, which already comes with cool stuff like a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker stereo, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, among other popular features. If we were to choose, we’d add some thoughtful extras to make it even better. According to the EPA, the standard Cayenne should give you around 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. The S model with the V8 engine gets about 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.
Acceleration & Features
The Cayenne Turbo GT rockets to 60 mph in an incredible 2.8 seconds, and it covers the quarter-mile in just 11.2 seconds at 121 mph. Activate the launch-control system in the Sport or Sport Plus drive modes, and the Cayenne E-Hybrid hits 60 mph in a quick 4.2 seconds. A time matched by the Cayenne S and 0.7 seconds faster than a 2019 Cayenne. Inside, the Cayenne treats the driver and front passenger to a lineup of digital displays stretching across the entire dashboard. The central stage belongs to a 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. On the right, there’s a secondary 10.9-inch display for the front passenger. The driver gets a separate 12.6-inch screen behind the steering wheel. Showing vehicle speed, the tachometer, a trip computer, and other functions.
Mercedes-Benz GLE Class
Engine & Performance
The GLE350 models are equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, providing 255 hp. They come in both RWD & AWD versions, complemented by a nine-speed automatic transmission. Opting for the GLE450 upgrades you to a turbocharged inline-six powertrain with 362 hp and standard AWD. Both the GLE350 and GLE450 utilize 48-volt hybrid systems for enhanced efficiency. The GLE450e offers a plug-in hybrid option, combining a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine and an electric motor. Resulting in a robust 381 hp. At the top of the non-AMG lineup sits the impressive Benz-branded GLE580. It boasts a 48-volt system paired with a twin-turbo 4.0L V8. Generating up to 504 hp, making it the most powerful and luxurious choice in the range.
Price & Mileage
Having explored the available powertrains, we highly recommend opting for the entry-level turbocharged four-cylinder GLE350 model. Despite being the least powerful, it delivers sufficient performance to meet the needs of most drivers and boasts the best fuel efficiency. The GLE starts at a reasonable $63,800. Interestingly, the six-cylinder GLE450 with AWD has the same fuel economy estimate as the RWD and four-cylinder GLE350. Both achieved EPA ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. On the other hand, the V8-powered GLE580 consumes more fuel. With estimated ratings of 16 mpg city, 21 highway, and 18 combined.
Acceleration & Features
The GLE350 demonstrated a 60 mph acceleration time of 6.6 seconds, while the six-cylinder GLE450 achieved an impressive 5.3-second time. The interior is equipped with dual 12.3-inch infotainment displays that extend along the dashboard, providing multiple ways to interact with the system, including the convenient MBUX voice recognition system. Similar to popular virtual assistants like Siri or Google, MBUX responds to various commands. Allowing drivers to adjust settings like temperature, activate ventilated seats, or select a radio station without taking their hands off the wheel. Moreover, the centre console features a touchpad for easy and tactile control of the infotainment system. While the screen itself is touch-sensitive, adding to the overall user-friendly experience.