This full-size SUV splits into two distinct stories. The first-generation trucks with the 4.6L V8 were unkillable, owners routinely hit 400k-500k miles with nothing but oil changes, but rust ate the bodies and air suspension failures totaled otherwise healthy trucks. The current generation (2018-2024) offers serious space, strong towing, and genuine family comfort, but the 10R80 transmission is a documented weak point: multiple owners report rebuilds or replacements before 100k miles at $7k-10k out of pocket. If you're buying used in the 60k-100k mile range, budget for transmission work or get an extended warranty that covers it. The 2025-2026 redesign brings a polarizing oblong steering wheel and touch-heavy controls that owners either adapt to or never stop resenting. Buy this if you need the space and towing capacity, can afford the warranty, and don't mind that it drives more like a truck than a luxury cruiser. Walk if you're stretching the budget or buying high-mileage without coverage.
The 2020+ Mercedes GLE (W167) is a capable, refined luxury SUV that excels in comfort and interior quality but shows clear use-case fragmentation. The GLE 450 with I6 engine receives strong praise for performance and reliability, while the base GLE 350 4-cylinder is consistently criticized as underpowered. Long-term owners of current-generation models report good reliability with routine maintenance, though AMG variants face expensive tire wear. Critical context: 2018-2019 models suffer from timing cover leaks that do not affect current production. The GLE trades some of the X5's sportier dynamics for superior ride comfort and luxury ambiance. Coupe variants are polarizing, loved for looks but questioned for practicality trade-offs.