Compare the2025 Cadillac XT6VS 2025 Mercedes GLE

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The GLE doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The XT6’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLE.

Both the XT6 and the GLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Cadillac XT6 is safer than the Mercedes GLE:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Cadillac XT6 is safer than the Mercedes GLE:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Cadillac’s powertrain warranty covers the XT6 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLE. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GLE ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The XT6’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GLE’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 47 percent more Cadillac dealers than there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the XT6’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the XT6’s reliability 12 points higher than the GLE.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the XT6 first among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The GLE isn’t in the top three.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Cadillac vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 22 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Cadillac higher than Mercedes.

As tested in Motor Trend the XT6 Premium Luxury/Sport 3.6 DOHC V6 is faster than the GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the XT6 gets better mileage than the GLE running its gasoline engine:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the XT6’s fuel efficiency. The GLE doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Cadillac XT6 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The GLE requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The XT6 FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLE 450e’s standard fuel tank (19 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The XT6 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GLE doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The XT6 stops shorter than the GLE:

The Cadillac XT6’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes GLE only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The XT6 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The GLE doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The XT6 Sport AWD handles at .88 G’s, while the GLE 450 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The XT6 Sport AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the GLE 350 4MATIC (27.2 seconds @ .67 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the XT6’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the GLE’s (38.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Cadillac XT6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 1050 pounds less than the Mercedes GLE.

The front grille of the XT6 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The XT6 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The GLE doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The XT6 has .9 inches more front legroom and 2.2 inches more rear headroom than the GLE.

The front step up height for the XT6 is 1.5 inches lower than the GLE (18.5” vs. 20”). The XT6’s rear step up height is 1 inches lower than the GLE’s (19” vs. 20”).

The XT6’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLE.

Both the XT6 and the GLE offer second row automatic folding seats. The XT6’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The GLE doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the XT6, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLE.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the XT6 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLE only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Insurance will cost less for the XT6 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the XT6 will cost $230 less than the GLE over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the XT6 is less expensive to operate than the GLE because typical repairs cost much less on the XT6 than the GLE, including $355 less for a water pump, $134 less for front brake pads, $281 less for a starter, $155 less for fuel injection, $201 less for a fuel pump, $300 less for front struts and $406 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Cadillac XT6, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLE isn't recommended.