W164 → W166
Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W164) (2005–2011) compared with its successor, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class / GLE (W166) (2011–2019).
Changes stated by the sources
- Interior Rear legroom was increased and the rear backrests became adjustable.[1]
- Powertrain A 7G-Tronic Plus seven-speed automatic replaced the earlier 7G-Tronic.[1]
- Powertrain A four-cylinder diesel was offered in the M-Class for the first time.[2]
- Chassis An Active Curve System with active anti-roll bars was introduced.[1]
- Technology Adaptive cruise control (Distronic Plus) and active lane departure warning became available.[1]
Size
Length 4,806 → 4,803 mm (−3 mm); Width 1,976 → 1,981 mm (+5 mm).
United States figures: ML 450 Hybrid[1] against 2017 GLE 350 SUV (width without mirrors)[3].
From the documented specifications
- Powertrain Powertrain types in the sourced lists: petrol, diesel and hybrid (W164); petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid (W166). A type missing from a list is not documented here — that does not show it was dropped or new.
- Design Body styles documented for the W166 only: Coupé SUV.
Derived by comparing the sourced lists on the two generation pages; a type missing from a list may also mean it is not documented here yet.
Side by side
| Item | Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W164) Second generation | Mercedes-Benz M-Class / GLE (W166) Third generation |
|---|---|---|
| Production | 2005–2011[1] | 2011–2019[1] |
| First shown | January 2005[1] | 2011[2] |
| Model years | 2006–2011 (NA)[1] | 2012–2019 (NA)[1] |
| Codes | W164[1] | W166[1], C 292[4] |
| Platform | W164/V251/W166 (shared with GL-Class X164 and R-Class)[1] | W164/V251/W166 (related to Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 and Dodge Durango)[1] |
| Body styles | 5-door SUV (unibody)[1] | 5-door SUV (W166)[1] 5-door coupé SUV – GLE Coupé (C292)[1] |
| Seating | Not documented here | Not documented here |
| Drivetrain | AWD[1] | AWD[2], RWD[3], AWD[3] |
| Powertrain types documented | Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid | Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid |
| Dimensions — United States | ||
| Version compared | ML 450 Hybrid[1] | 2017 GLE 350 SUV (width without mirrors)[3] |
| Length | 4,806 mm | 4,803 mm (−3 mm) |
| Width | 1,976 mm | 1,981 mm (+5 mm) |
| Luggage capacity | Not documented here | 38.2 cu ft (1,082 L converted) behind 2nd row, United States, not stated, 2017 GLE 350 SUV[3] 80.3 cu ft (2,274 L converted) behind 1st row, United States, not stated, 2017 GLE 350 SUV[3] |
| Highest output documented | 380 kW (517 PS) ML 63 AMG 4MATIC, market not stated[1] | 577 hp (430 kW) Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupé, United States[5] |
Differences in brackets are against the column to the left. Dimensions are compared only for the same market and the standard body; luggage figures are shown with their market and measuring method because they are often not comparable.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz GLE — Wikipedia Reference work (read 9 October 2026)
- Mercedes-Benz W 166 — Wikipedia (de) Reference work (read 9 October 2026)
- 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 and GLE350 4M Specifications — Mercedes-Benz Media Newsroom USA, 3 February 2017 Manufacturer (read 9 October 2026)
- Mercedes-Benz C 292 — Wikipedia (de) Reference work (read 9 October 2026)
- The GLE Coupe: an impressively sporty, yet practical choice — Mercedes-Benz Media Newsroom USA, 3 August 2017 Manufacturer (read 9 October 2026)
Wikipedia sources link to the exact revision that was read. Specifications differ between markets, years and versions; each figure is shown with the market and version its source states.