2019 GMC Acadia vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2019 GMC Acadia was a handsome SUV with a shorter wheelbase that provided an athletic stance and an upright grille that gave it an upscale appearance. Despite not being marketed as a luxury SUV, it was as nice as, if not nicer than, the more expensive Buick Envision. The Acadia had broader appeal than other GM vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox and Buick Envision, feeling closer in size to compact competitors such as the Nissan Rogue.

The Acadia came in several trims: SL, SLE-1, SLE-2, SLT-1, SLT-2, and Denali. The base SL trim included 17-inch wheels, 7-passenger seating, remote keyless entry, 3-zone climate control, and heated power side mirrors. Higher trims added features like LED headlights, Sirius XM, power liftgate, fog lights, and a premium Bose stereo system. The range-topping Denali trim added luxury features like a hands-free power tailgate, unique 20-inch wheels, and leather-appointed seating.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a smoother, less sculpted design compared to its predecessors, with softened lines and reduced edges, contributing to a lower drag coefficient of .29. The front end saw the most significant visual transformation, making it a handsome vehicle. Inside, the GLE offered extra headroom and legroom due to a 3.1-inch extended wheelbase, and for the first time, an optional third row was available.

However, the $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint on the test model showed an orange-peel effect, which was disappointing. The GLE 350 started at $53,700 with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The price quickly escalated with options like black leather upholstery, multi-contour front seats with massage, and various packages for additional comfort and technology features. The total price of the test model reached $78,370.

The 2019 GMC Acadia offered two engine options: a 193-horsepower inline 4-cylinder and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6. The V6 was not available in the base SL or SLE-1 trims but was optional in the SLE-2 and standard in higher trims. The V6 provided fantastic acceleration and could chirp the tires from a quick takeoff. Power was sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or available AWD. The AWD system featured GMC’s Active Twin Clutch system, allowing drivers to switch between FWD, AWD, Sport mode, and All-Terrain mode. The V6 Acadia could tow up to 4,000 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel economy for the base 4-cylinder FWD was 21 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined, while the V6 AWD returned 17/25/20.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 used a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. While it had enough power at speed, it felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag and the vehicle's nearly 5,000-pound weight. The 9-speed automatic transmission was decent but not as smooth as the 8-speed in the BMW X5. The GLE 350 4Matic's fuel economy was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined, which was competitive but slightly less powerful compared to the X5's standard turbocharged inline-6.

The 2019 GMC Acadia provided ample space for the driver and front passenger, with deep trays and bins for small items. The SL, SLE-1, and SLE-2 trims featured 7-passenger seating with a middle bench seat, while the SLT-1 AWD had captain’s chairs, reducing seating capacity to 6. The second-row seats were comfortable and provided decent head- and legroom, but the third-row seats were cramped and suitable only for kids. Cargo space was 12.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 41.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 79 cubic feet with both rows down, which was small for the midsize SUV class.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE benefited from an extra 3 inches in its wheelbase, providing spacious second-row seating. Depending on the options, it offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, with a total of 79.4 cubic feet available with the seats lowered. The interior featured dual 12.3-inch screens, setting a new standard for dash design and customizability. The seats were comfortable, and the “Seat Kinetics” system subtly adjusted seating positions to prevent discomfort on long drives. However, the steering wheel often blocked part of the screen, and the upgraded Burmester stereo caused vibrations through the brake pedal.

The 2019 GMC Acadia's base SL trim came with a 7-inch touchscreen running GMC’s IntelliLink infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, five USB ports, and a WiFi hotspot. The SLT-1 trim upgraded to an 8-inch screen, and the Denali trim added standard navigation. Higher trims also featured a 4.2-inch color information display within the gauge cluster, with the Denali offering an 8-inch display. A color head-up display was also available.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens and a head-up display. The system included augmented reality for directions and traffic signals, though it could be distracting. The natural voice control system, similar to Siri and Alexa, worked well in the A-Class but had issues in the GLE. The driver-assistance tech was better than BMW's but still had room for improvement.

The 2019 GMC Acadia came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, and traction control. The Driver Alert Package 1, standard on the SLT-1 and optional on the SLE-2, added a blind-spot warning system, lane-change alert, and rear park assist. The SLT-2 trim added the Driver Alert Package 2, which included low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-departure warning, pedestrian detection, forward-collision alert, and adaptive headlights and high beams.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE had no current testing data from NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems. Attention Assist monitored eye contact and head position to anticipate drowsiness, and Seat Kinetics adjusted seating positions to prevent fatigue. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems were less reliable at high speeds, causing the car to bounce around the lane and get fooled by shadows or unexpected lines.