Bentley Bentayga vs Mercedes-Benz GLE400
What's the difference?

Bentley Bentayga

—

2024 price

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Mercedes-Benz GLE400

$53,990 - $89,800

2020 price

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Summary

2024 Bentley Bentayga

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE400

By Laura Berry

By Matt Campbell

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Diesel

Fuel Efficiency

12.8L/100km (combined)

6.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Practical and spacious
Remarkable dynamics for its size and weight
Twin-turbo V8 is no W12 but still awesome

Stunning interior
Superb space
Comprehensive safety kit

Dislikes

Not great value for money, but that's not the point
Awkward looking to my eyes
Interior could be more special

Unpleasant ride
Four-cylinder diesel performance
Challenging styling

2024 Bentley Bentayga Summary

Yes, you can drive your Bentley and keep your family. It's called compromise, or the Bentayga, Bentley's SUV.

The Bentayga my family has been living with is the Azure grade which promises to be even more comfortable and pleasant than the rest of the range.

Comfort is important and we'll cover the Bentayga's lavish details in time, but our mission first and foremost is to find out if the Bentayga makes a good family SUV.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 Summary

This is the first real Mercedes-Benz GLE. It's the second version of the SUV, but the last one was really just a big update of the old ML, and it never really soared to the heights it could have as a result of that.

But this new version - the 2020 GLE - is exactly that. It's new.

The exterior is new. The engines are new. The underpinnings are new. The interior - yep, you guessed it - new.

The big question is, though, is the GLE a competitor now? Can it stand up against the BMW X5, Maserati Levante, Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, Volvo XC90 and even the VW Touareg?

Let's find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Bentley Bentayga 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE400

Verdict

The Bentley Bentayga Azure may look a bit awkward and it surely isn't great value for money, but it is a true Bentley and a very good family SUV that not only provides terrific practicality but superb performance and comfort.

Verdict

All told, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 2020 model is an improvement in many ways over its predecessor. It's safer, more high-tech, considerably more luxurious and practical inside, and offers better value, too.

But, in 300d guise at least, it's let down by a slightly underdone engine, and suspension that just doesn't do a good enough job on rougher roads. It's close, but not close enough to be best in class.

Maybe that'll be a different case for the higher-grade versions with the most high-tech engines and the tricky optional suspension... we'll have to wait and see.

Bentley Bentayga vs Mercedes-Benz GLE400 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Bentley Bentayga vs Mercedes-Benz GLE400
What's the difference?