2027 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the G-Class — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (61.3% vs 41.8%). Choose the GLE if you tow (7,700 lb vs 7,000 lb max).
Scorecard: G-Class 1.5 pts · GLE 1 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 G-Class | 2027 GLE | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 61.3% | 41.8% | G-Class |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 15 mpg | — | No data |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 579 hp | 603 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | 7,000 lb | 7,700 lb | GLE |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Weighted points | 1.5 | 1 | G-Class |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Family. Families: it's a wash — G-Class 5 vs GLE 5 (standard seats).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the G-Class — 61.3% vs 41.8% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the GLE — 7,700 lb vs 7,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
A current starting MSRP isn't on file for both models.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- G-Class: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- GLE: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 G-Class | 2027 GLE | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 443–579 hp | 255–603 hp |
| Max torque | 859 lb-ft | 627 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 15 mpg (hybrid avail.) | — |
| Electric range (best) | 249 mi | — |
| Max towing | 7,000 lb | 7,700 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 7 |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) G-Class lists for a median $135,015 — 61.3% of today's median new price of $220,335. A 5-year-old (2021) GLE lists for a median $32,839 — 41.8% of today's median new price of $78,504.
Shop both
- See 1,029 new 2027 Mercedes-Benz G-Class for sale →Median listed price $231,905 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 7,073 new 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLEs for sale →Median listed price $80,515 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class
More on the Mercedes-Benz GLE
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the G-Class better than the GLE?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the G-Class — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–1 across 4 categories, winning on better 5-year value retention (61.3% vs 41.8%). Choose the GLE if you tow (7,700 lb vs 7,000 lb max).
Which is more reliable, the G-Class or the GLE?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the G-Class or the GLE?
The G-Class: a 5-year-old example lists for 61.3% of the new price, versus 41.8% for the GLE, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the G-Class or the GLE?
We don't have a current starting MSRP for both models.
Which has better gas mileage, the G-Class or the GLE?
EPA ratings aren't on file for both models.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/mercedes-benz-g-class-vs-mercedes-benz-gle, updated November 8, 2026.