Mercedes-Benz GLA vs BMW X5 [2014-2019]

Commemorating its first decade of presence, here is the new and updated 2024 GLA-Class.

The ‘M’ badges on these two cars are a bit confusing. In my head, a BMW with an M emblem stands for supercar performance and handling in a subtle looking family friendly body. A brief glance at the X5M and X6M makes you think, how in the world both these fat and intimidating SUVs will justify being sporty or fun to drive. But on closer inspection there are hints at what’s cooking under the skin. The large front air intakes and bigger kidney grille gives both these cars an added sporty element and in profile the large beautifully crafted wheels dominate. The X6 M looks even more sporty when viewed in profile thanks to the coupe-like roofline. At the rear the trademark M four-tailpipe exhaust, the sportscar-like diffuser and the fat rear tyres make them look intimidating even when standing still. But it’s under the bonnet that the hidden party trick of any M vehicle lies. The V8 motors in these sporty SUVs displace 4.4-litres and have more than 550bhp on tap. So have the M division pulled off a near impossible task of making the Hulk do ballet? If they have, then we will end up having a pair of practical SUVs that can rival sportscars on pace.

I am not saying that the famous quote of ‘Size doesn’t matter’ is incorrect but sometimes, size does matter. This isn’t coming from me because I am 6.2ft tall and over 100kg and roam around the city like a boss. I say this because there is a perception about big things being better and superior to the smaller ones and there is no better place than roads to witness this. A hatchback messes around with the fellow bikers and three-wheeled public transporters, but the same guy will be hassled by an SUV in the rear view mirror. Not that these SUVs can feel like king of the roads, have a look at them when an unloaded dump truck is on the tail. The good part is that we are lucky big fat elephants don’t rule the roads as there are bigger predators who with their tough looks and mean streak could scare the whole animal kingdom. In the world of cars, we have one such contender that can take on others with its sheer size. It is the new BMW X5. We, went on a 1200kms long journey to Goa with this new German, to find out if the X5 offers more than just striking looks to make you feel like a king.