TOP 10 Competitors for Mercedes-Benz in 2015

It looks like 2015 will be a busy year for the automotive industry, with new and facelifted models joining the battle for supremacy in their respective segments. That’s why we wanted to take a closer look at what we believe are the Mercedes-Benz’s top competitors this year.

10. Cadillac CTS-V

There’s no secret that the CTS-V, the most powerful model in Cadillac’s 112-year history aims to challenge its German counterparts with a power output of 640 hp and a maximum torque of 855 Nm.

The third generation of the Cadillac CTS-V luxury sports sedan features the Adaptive Magnetic Ride Control drivetrain which offers four selectable driving modes: Tour, Sports, Track and Snow.

Its hood is made of carbon fiber and the engineers fitted the performance sedan with a new ZF Servotronic II variable ratio steering, an electronically limited slip differential and a structural stiffness increased by 25% in comparison with the standard CTS.

Launch date: October 2015

Competitor for Mercedes E 63 AMG

Read the full presentation of the Cadillac CTS-V.

9. Volvo XC90

After 12 years, Volvo launches a completely new generation of the Xc90, which is the car of great hopes for Volvo. The Swedish carmaker promises one ot the most variable and spacious interiors in its class with 3 rows of seats and a third row which can accommodate people up to 1.70 m tall.

Two new innovations – Run off-road protection and Auto brake in intersections – contribute to the enhance of the safety level, a traditional strong point for Volvo.

Downsizing in the purest sense is the Volvo top priority. All four engines – two diesels and two petrols – only have a 2-liter displacement and the top petrol engine uses a turbo and a compressor to boost the power to 320 HP. A Plug-In Hybrid combines a petrol engine with an electrical one and provides a 4-wheel drive electric traction with electric engine powering the rear axle.

Launch date: April 2015 (June for the Plug-In Hybrid version)

Competitor for Mercedes GLE

Read the first static comparison between Mercedes ML and Volvo XC90

8. Land Rover Discovery Sport

Land Rover underwent a minor nomenclature change themselves so, for those who don’t know yet, this Discovery Sport is actually the new Freelander. It’s not just the name that’s changed, though, since this new Land Rover model will have very little in common with its spiritual predecessor, apart from some styling cues.

The new Land Rover comes with some very interesting features, including a seven seat arrangement, the new Jaguar/Land Rover multimedia interface or a nine speed automatic transmission.

True to the brand’s ancestry, the new Discovery Sport promises to be very capable in off-road (for a premium medium sized SUV, we might add) and offer tons of practicality. At first, it will only be available with two engines (two liter turbo and 2.2 liter turbodiesel) but the options are set to increase shortly afterwards, including a broad range of new engines.

This new smaller Land Rover may prove to be a tough nut to crack, offering both premium level of interior comfort, but also substantial off-road capabilities. We’re just gonna have to wait and see.

Launch date: February 2015

Competitor for the next Mercedes GLC (launch date September 2015)

Read the full preview of the Land Rover Discovery Sport here.

7. BMW X5 M/X6 M

BMW’s new performance SUVs based on the latest X5 and X6 generations have been revealed in full at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. So, as most of you probably know by now, the BMW X5 M and X6 M are powered by a 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 developing 575 hp.

Besides the extra power, the BMW engineers have tweaked the suspension, while the driver can still select between Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus driving modes.

Both the BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M will go on sale this year, as 2015 models. The BMW X5 M will have a starting price of $99,650, while the BMW X6 M starts at $103,050.

Launch date: April 2015

Competitor for the future Mercedes GLE 63 AMG

6. BMW 3 Series facelift (plus Plug-In Hybrid)

Given the fact that the current BMW 3 Series generation has been on the market since 2012, BMW is working on a discrete facelift for its most important model. Rumors say there will be few visible changes to the exterior (a new front bumper, modified air intakes and optional full-LED headlights).

However, most of the changes will be hidden under the hood, where the facelifted BMW 3 Series will host the all-new range of engines based on the new 500 cc cylinder.

These will include three and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, like the ones already available in the new MINI, BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and i8. In addition, the updated 3 Series will benefit from improved driver assistance systems and comfort features.

Launch date: October 2015

Competitor for Mercedes C-Class and the future C 350 Plug-In Hybrid

5. BMW X1

The second X1 generation is a totally different car from the first generation. The new X1 will not be based on the rear wheel drive 3 Series platform, but on the new front wheel drive UKL platform, used for the new Mini and for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

For this reason, we expect, under the bonnet, the new 3 and 4-cylinder engines: 1.5 liter turbo petrol with 136 HP, 2.0 liter petrol turbo with 184 and 231 HP plus a 2.0 turbodiesel with 150 and 190 HP.

BMW promises a more spacious interior and a new prominent front grille in the style of the new BMW X5.

Based on the new X1, which will be available as a front wheel drive or four wheel drive for more powerful engines, BMW will launch a three door SUV coupe named the X2.

Launch date: October 2015

Competitor for Mercedes GLA

See the latest spy shots and informations about the second generation BMW X1.

4. Audi A4 /A4 Avant

The next-gen Audi A4 Sedan/Avant is expected to debut this summer, as a 2016 model, while the A4 Allroad variants will join the party one year after.

So far, it is known that the 2016 A4 will be the second Audi model to ride on the new version of the modular longitudinal (MLB) platform believed to underpin most of the automaker’s models above the A4.

Front-wheel drive will be offered as standard while quattro all-wheel drive system will be available as an option. One of the key benefits of the latest MLB platform is that engineers designed it in such a way that it is compatible with alternative drivetrains, including natural gas and plug-in hybrid versions.

Launch date: October 2015

Competitor for Mercedes C-Class

See the latest spy shots and detailed information about the new Audi A4

3. Jaguar XE

After the unlucky X-Type which was based on a Ford Mondeo platform, Jaguar has decided to make no compromise and developed a real Jag.

The most compact Jag saloon will have a lightweight body with an intensive use of aluminium and a high tech drive train with double wishbone in front, integral link on the rear and an electrical steering.

The first two engines announced are the petrol V6 3 liter supercharged with 340 HP and 450 Nm and the new diesel of the Ingenium family with 2 liter and 163 HP/380 Nm.

Twin turbo diesel and 2 liter petrol versions will follow later.

Launch date: June 2015

Competitor for Mercedes C-Class

Read the full presentation of Jaguar XE

Read the first static comparison between Jaguar XE and Mercedes C-Class

2. Audi Q7

Based on the new MLB Evo platform, the new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI will be 325 kg lighter than the previous generation at the same exterior dimensions. And Audi promises more space on the inside in the 7 seats placed in three rows.

The Q7 will start with two 3 liter V6 engines: a 272 HP TDI and a 333 HP TFSI with mechanical compressor. The smaller TDI with 218 HP and the Plug-In Hybrid versions will be also available in 2015.

The four wheel drive with a central Torsen differential and Drive Select will be standard, meanwhile the adaptive suspension, with no less than seven modes and integral steering, will be optional.

The cockpit takes over the 12.3 inch TFT pioneered in the TT and the voice control system will be more simple and more intelligent.

Launch date: June 2015

Competitor for Mercedes GLE

Read the full presentation of the new Audi Q7

1. BMW 7 Series

In recent years, the luxury limousine from BMW was trailing behind the more recent Mercedes-Benz S-Class and even the Audi A8. It was clearly showing its age and the famed BMW dynamics aren’t such an effective selling argument in a segment where comfort and refinement are paramount.

The new 7 Series looks set to win back some of the market share with some very cool features, but whether that shall prove enough to upset the current segment leader, is still up for debate. The information is still scarce and none of it from actual official sources, so we have to rely mainly on speculations. Still, BMW has recently previewed some important changes to its multimedia interface, with a new iDrive version and a completely new touchscreen called TouchCommand, which also offers hand gesture recognition.

It looks like BMW is focusing more on interior features than exterior design, and the spy shots we’ve seen so far tend to confirm that. Don’t expect anything radical for the exterior design of the new 7 Series, but do expect it to feel like a completely new car compared to the current model.

Launch date: October 2015

Competitor for Mercedes S-Class

Click here for the latest spy photos of the BMW 7 Series.