A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance,
fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.
GLE holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over J7.
J7 starts ZAR 1,324,065 cheaperGLE from ZAR 1,843,965 · J7 from ZAR 519,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
GLE
J7
Maximum Power
GLE198 kW
J7145 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
GLE550 Nm
J7290 Nm
Engine Size
GLE1993 cc
J71600 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
GLE14.7 km/l
J714.3 km/l
Ground Clearance
GLE205 mm
J7200 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Mercedes-Benz GLE
GLE 300 d 4MATIC
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Specification evidence leader
GLE
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
J7
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
GLE
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
J7
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
GLE
J7
Model Introduced Year
2026
2024
Generation
Current South African GLE generation represented by derivative GLE 300 d 4MATIC
Current South Africa J7 range
Facelift History
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since
Current South African model cycle
2024
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Suv
SUV
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Current South African retail range
active
Segment
Premium SUV
SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Tare Mass Kg
-
Not Available
Spec
GLE
J7
Length
4924 mm
4500 mm
Width
1947 mm
1865 mm
Height
1797 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2995 mm
2672 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
205 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
220 mm
170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
85 l
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
630 l
584 l
Kerb Weight
2350 kg
1531 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2000 kg
1939 kg
Payload Capacity
700 kg
434 kg
Towing Capacity
2000 kg
1300 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
6.0 m
5.4 m
Front Headroom
960 mm
1010 mm
Rear Headroom
960 mm
975 mm
Front Legroom
900 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
910 mm
Spec
GLE
J7
Engine
1993/L4
1.6-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
OM654M
SQRF4J16C
Fuel Type
Diesel Mild Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
48V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1993 cc
1600 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
4
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Common-rail direct injection
Petrol injection
Compression Ratio
15.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
82.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
94.3 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
198 kW
145 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
550 Nm
290 Nm
Combined Power
198 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
550 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
48 V integrated starter-generator
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
9-Speed Automatic
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
230 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
6.9 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
15.0 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
5000 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
0
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
No
Not Applicable
Spec
GLE
J7
Gearbox
9G-TRONIC automatic
7 DCT
Drivetrain Layout
AWD
FWD
LSD Available
No
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Permanent AWD transfer system
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Yes
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
9
7
Transmission Type
9G-TRONIC automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Torque converter
Automatic clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Automatic with manual shift mode
Electric
Drivetrain
AWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
0
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
0
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Yes
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Yes
Standard
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
9G-TRONIC automatic
7 DCT
Low Range Ratio
0
Not Applicable
Low Range
0
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Driven axle configuration: AWD
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
9
7
Spec
GLE
J7
Claimed Mileage
14.7 km/l
14.3 km/l
City Mileage
14.7 km/l
11.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
14.7 km/l
16.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
66 l
51 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
23 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Standard
Real-world Mileage
14.7 km/l
14.3 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
66
51
Combined Driving Range
0
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
0
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
0 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
0 km
Not Applicable
Spec
GLE
J7
Airbags
7
Multiple airbags
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Not Available
AEB
Ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Ventilated disc brakes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Available
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
GLE
J7
Cruise Control
Adaptive cruise control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Ventilated disc brakes
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Yes
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Not Available
Spec
GLE
J7
Seat Material
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Fabric or cloth trim
Heated Seats
Front heated seats
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Model/option dependent
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
64-colour ambient lighting
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
Polyurethane / synthetic
60 40 Split Seat
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Manual
Seat Trim
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Fabric
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Spec
GLE
J7
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Manual / automatic by trim
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
KEYLESS-GO
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Not Available
Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Not Available
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Manual / automatic by trim
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
1349 l
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
GLE
J7
Infotainment System
MBUX multimedia system
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
13
4-6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch digital instrument display
Standard
USB Ports
USB-C ports
Front and rear USB where listed
Infotainment Screen
MBUX multimedia system
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Spec
GLE
J7
LED Headlamps
LED High Performance headlamps
Not Available
Daytime Running Lamps
LED daytime running lights
Standard
Fog Lamps
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Not Available
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, model green, olive grey, moonlight silver and two-tone colours where listed.
Headlights
LED High Performance headlamps
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Panoramic sliding sunroof
Not Available
Spec
GLE
J7
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Off-road mode
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
No
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Yes
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
200 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
200 mm
Spec
GLE
J7
Tyre Size
275/45 R21
235/55 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
21-inch alloy wheels
Not Available
Wheel Rim Size
21
235/55 R18
Handbrake Type
Ventilated disc brakes
Electronic parking brake
Spec
GLE
J7
Front Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Independent multi-link suspension
Multi-link
Front Track Width
-
Not Available
Rear Track Width
-
Not Available
Spec
GLE
J7
CO2 Emissions
173 g/km
163 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
GLE
J7
Service Plan
5 Years / 100000 km
5 Year / 70 000 km
Spec
GLE
J7
Ownership Role
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
entry-value
Price Zar
1843965 ZAR
519900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
entry-value
Starting Price
2000000
519900
Starting Price Zar
2000000
519900
Spec
GLE
J7
Warranty
5 Years / 100000 km
5 Year / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This GLE and J7 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: GLE 93 vs J7 59.
Efficiency index: GLE 61 vs J7 56.
Safety-equipment index: GLE 99 vs J7 91.
Practicality index: GLE 77 vs J7 67.
Ownership-cover index: GLE not separately scored vs J7 not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
Model imagery
GLE and J7 image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.
Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout
GLE leads by 15 points
GLE holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over J7.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
GLE
Performance
93/100
Efficiency
61/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
77/100
J7
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
67/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMercedes-Benz GLE
leads the specification evidence index with 84 pts
vs 69 pts for J7
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, GLE leads. However, J7 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
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