Range Rover Evoque I (L538) vs M-Class / GLE W166 (ML / GLE): which is better?
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque I (L538) (2011–2018) vs Mercedes-Benz M-Class / GLE W166 (ML / GLE) (2011–2019): specs, fuel economy, tax and common problems.
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque I (L538)
Mercedes-Benz M-Class / GLE W166 (ML / GLE)Specifications
| Land Rover Range Rover Evoque I (L538) | Mercedes-Benz M-Class / GLE W166 (ML / GLE) | |
|---|---|---|
| Production years | 2011–2018 | 2011–2019 |
| Body | crossover SUV | crossover SUV |
| Fuel | petrol | petrol |
| Engines | 2.0 Turbo (Si4) | 3.5 V6 (ML350 / GLE400) |
| Power, up to | 240 hp | 249 hp |
| Torque, up to | 340 Nm | 340 Nm |
| Gearbox | automatic | automatic |
| Drive | all-wheel drive | all-wheel drive |
| Length | 4 355 mm | 4 804 mm |
| Width | 1 965 mm | 1 926 mm |
| Height | 1 635 mm | 1 796 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2 660 mm | 2 915 mm |
| Fuel tank | 70 L | 93 L |
| KZ tax 2026 (car under 10 years) | ≈ 16 475 ₸ | ≈ 68 375 ₸ |
The better value is highlighted in green.
Pros, cons and common problems
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque I (L538)
Pros
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: generally reliable
- Powerful versions: up to 240 hp
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Large tank: 70 L
Cons
- Ford Duratec/Zetec/EcoBoost engine: Duratec suffers timing belt and ignition coil wear
- Gearbox Aisin automatic: valve body wear at high mileage
Engine (Ford Duratec/Zetec/EcoBoost): on Duratec — timing belt and ignition coil wear; on EcoBoost — overheating and coolant leaks on the 1.6.
Gearbox (Aisin automatic): generally reliable; at high mileage — valve body wear.
Mercedes-Benz M-Class / GLE W166 (ML / GLE)
Pros
- Powerful versions: up to 249 hp
- All-wheel-drive versions available
- Conventional automatic, no robotized gearbox or CVT
- Large tank: 93 L
Cons
- Engine Mercedes M254/M256/M276/M278/M176: complex engines, expensive to repair
- Gearbox Mercedes 7G-Tronic (722.9): control board failure (speed sensors)
Engine (Mercedes M254/M256/M276/M278/M176): engines are complex and expensive to repair; oil leaks and chain issues occur on M276/M278 at high mileage.
Gearbox (Mercedes 7G-Tronic (722.9)): control board failure (speed sensors); valve body wear.
Which one to choose
- Range Rover Evoque I (L538) — if you care more about: kz tax 2026.
- M-Class / GLE W166 (ML / GLE) — if you care more about: power, wheelbase, fuel tank.
The condition of a specific car matters more than the model: check the service history and get the engine and gearbox inspected before buying.
FAQ
Which is more powerful: Range Rover Evoque I (L538) or M-Class / GLE W166 (ML / GLE)?
Range Rover Evoque I (L538): up to 240 hp, M-Class / GLE W166 (ML / GLE): up to 249 hp.
What is the vehicle tax in Kazakhstan?
For 2026, for a car under 10 years old: Range Rover Evoque I (L538) — about 16 475 ₸, M-Class / GLE W166 (ML / GLE) — about 68 375 ₸ (base engine). A 0.7 factor applies to cars aged 10–20 years and 0.5 to cars over 20.