BMW X5 E53 or Mercedes-Benz ML W163?

1999–2006 vs 1997–2005 · SUV 5-door vs SUV 5-door

In short

Length: X5 E53 4,667 mm, ML W163 4,638 mm — a 3 cm difference.
Boot: X5 E53 465 l, ML W163 633 l.
Lowest consumption: X5 E53 9 l/100 km, ML W163 9.4 l/100 km.
Power: X5 E53 135–265 kW, ML W163 110–255 kW.
Standard equipment: X5 E53 35 items (Base), ML W163 27 items (Classic).
Neither is listed on Autodrom right now.

BMW X5 E531999–2006 · 9 engines · Base, Sportpaket, Edition Exclusive, Edition Exclusive SportSpecifications →Listings →

Mercedes-Benz ML W1631997–2005 · 9 engines · Classic, Elegance, Inspiration, Final EditionSpecifications →Listings →

Only differences

better value

	BMW X5 E531999–2006no listings	Mercedes-Benz ML W1631997–2005no listings
Dimensions
Length	Length4,667 mm	Length4,587 mm–4,638 mm
Width	Width1,872 mm	Width1,840 mm
Height	Height1,707 mm–1,715 mm	Height1,815 mm–1,820 mm
Wheelbase	Wheelbase2,820 mm	Wheelbase2,820 mm
Ground clearance	Ground clearance180 mm–200 mm	Ground clearance190 mm–210 mm
Trunk volume	Trunk volume465 l	Trunk volume633 l
Curb weight	Curb weight2,035 kg–2,305 kg	Curb weight1,985 kg–2,225 kg
Fuel tank	Fuel tank93 l	Fuel tank83 l
Engines
Production years	Production years1999–2006	Production years1997–2005
Body type	Body typeSUV 5-door	Body typeSUV 5-door
Number of engines	Number of engines9	Number of engines9
Power	Power135–265 kW (184–360 hp)	Power110–255 kW (150–347 hp)
Displacement (l)	Displacement (l)2.9–4.8	Displacement (l)2.3–5.4
Fuel	FuelDiesel, Petrol	FuelDiesel, Petrol
Gearbox	GearboxAutomatic, Manual	GearboxAutomatic, Manual
Drivetrain	DrivetrainAll-wheel (4x4)	DrivetrainAll-wheel (4x4)
Lowest consumption	Lowest consumption9 l/100 km · 3.0d	Lowest consumption9.4 l/100 km · 270 CDI
Best 0–100 km/h	Best 0–100 km/h6.1 s · 4.8is	Best 0–100 km/h6.9 s · 55 AMG
Top speed	Top speed250 km/h	Top speed235 km/h
Trim levelsBase · Classic
Items in the base trim	Items in the base trim35 · Base	Items in the base trim27 · Classic
Items in the top trim	Items in the top trim37 · Sportpaket	Items in the top trim36 · Elegance
Equipment · Comfort10 · 7
Air Conditioning	Air Conditioning—	Air Conditioning✓
Climate Control, 2-zone	Climate Control, 2-zone✓	Climate Control, 2-zone—
Rear Air Vents	Rear Air Vents✓	Rear Air Vents—
Cruise Control	Cruise Control✓	Cruise Control✓
Steering Wheel Height Adjustment	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Height Adjustment✓
Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment	Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment✓	Steering Wheel Reach Adjustment—
Front Power Windows	Front Power Windows✓	Front Power Windows✓
Rear Power Windows	Rear Power Windows✓	Rear Power Windows✓
Power Steering	Power Steering✓	Power Steering✓
Multifunction Steering Wheel	Multifunction Steering Wheel✓	Multifunction Steering Wheel—
Power-adjustable mirrors	Power-adjustable mirrors✓	Power-adjustable mirrors✓
Equipment · Interior4 · 4
Fabric	Fabric✓	Fabric✓
Driver's Seat Height Adjustment	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment—	Driver's Seat Height Adjustment✓
Front Seats Height Adjustment	Front Seats Height Adjustment✓	Front Seats Height Adjustment—
Load Cover	Load Cover✓	Load Cover✓
Front centre armrest	Front centre armrest✓	Front centre armrest✓
Equipment · Multimedia2 · 2
Audio System	Audio System✓	Audio System✓
12V Socket	12V Socket✓	12V Socket✓
Equipment · Visibility & lights1 · 1
Fog Lights	Fog Lights✓	Fog Lights✓
Equipment · Safety10 · 7
Driver's Airbag	Driver's Airbag✓	Driver's Airbag✓
Front Passenger Airbag	Front Passenger Airbag✓	Front Passenger Airbag✓
Front Side Airbags	Front Side Airbags✓	Front Side Airbags✓
Curtain Airbags	Curtain Airbags✓	Curtain Airbags—
Rear Isofix Mounts	Rear Isofix Mounts✓	Rear Isofix Mounts—
Traction Control	Traction Control✓	Traction Control✓
Brake assist (BAS)	Brake assist (BAS)✓	Brake assist (BAS)✓
Hill Start Assist	Hill Start Assist✓	Hill Start Assist—
ABS	ABS✓	ABS✓
Electronic Stability Control (ESP)	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓	Electronic Stability Control (ESP)✓
Equipment · Anti-theft3 · 2
Alarm	Alarm✓	Alarm—
Central Locking	Central Locking✓	Central Locking✓
Immobilizer	Immobilizer✓	Immobilizer✓
Equipment · Exterior5 · 4
Alloy Wheels	Alloy Wheels✓	Alloy Wheels✓
R16 Wheels	R16 Wheels—	R16 Wheels✓
R17 Wheels	R17 Wheels✓	R17 Wheels—
Roof Rails	Roof Rails✓	Roof Rails—
Full-size spare wheel	Full-size spare wheel✓	Full-size spare wheel✓
Engine skid plate	Engine skid plate✓	Engine skid plate✓
On Autodrom now
Listings	Listings0	Listings0

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger — BMW X5 E53 or Mercedes-Benz ML W163?

Length: BMW X5 E53 4,667 mm, Mercedes-Benz ML W163 4,638 mm (a 29 mm difference). Wheelbase: 2,820 vs 2,820 mm. Boot: 465 vs 633 l.

Which uses less fuel — BMW X5 E53 or Mercedes-Benz ML W163?

The most frugal BMW X5 E53 uses 9 l/100 km (3.0d); the most frugal Mercedes-Benz ML W163 9.4 l/100 km (270 CDI).

Which is more powerful — BMW X5 E53 or Mercedes-Benz ML W163?

The strongest BMW X5 E53 makes 265 kW (360 hp) (4.8is); the strongest Mercedes-Benz ML W163 255 kW (347 hp) (55 AMG).

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