2020 Audi Q7 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class emerged as a more refined and smoothly styled SUV compared to its predecessors. This model displayed softer lines and edges, contributing to its reduced drag coefficient of .29, making it a class leader according to Mercedes-Benz. The front end particularly shone with significant updates, rendering the vehicle both attractive and distinctive without being overly aggressive. Inside, the GLE-Class exemplified luxury with an understated elegance. Increased headroom and a 3.1-inch longer wheelbase enhanced interior spaciousness, providing extra legroom and even allowing for an optional third row, albeit geared towards individuals up to 5’10”. The interior boasted luxurious touches like black leather upholstery, a cabin air purifier, massaging multi-contour front seats, illuminated running boards, and a premium Burmester stereo system. However, the vehicle fell short with imperfections like an orange peel effect in the Emerald Green Metallic paint and vibrations from the stereo bass through the brake pedal.

In contrast, the 2020 Audi Q7, especially the 55 TFSI Prestige model, showcased new design enhancements aligning it with the brand’s flagship Q8. The updated front and rear styling, coupled with 20-inch turbine-style wheels fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat tires, lent the Q7 a modern and robust appearance. Inside, the Q7 retained much of its established luxury, albeit with significant technological upgrades. The cabin exhibited Okapi Brown leather and natural wood inlays, elevating the high-tech ambiance. The highlight was the Audi Virtual Cockpit, which replaced most physical controls with three digital displays, offering a visually appealing and customizable driving experience. Ambient lighting in the Prestige trim further enhanced the serene and sophisticated atmosphere at night.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This was a significant improvement compared to the engine's performance in the A-Class, but the SUV’s nearly 5,000-pound weight led to noticeable turbo lag from a stop. Despite this, the 9-speed automatic transmission delivered a reasonable driving experience, though it did not match the seamlessness of its BMW counterpart. The GLE 350 offered competitive fuel economy for an AWD SUV, with an EPA rating of 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined.

Meanwhile, the 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI featured a new turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system to optimize fuel efficiency. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD, this combination propelled the Q7 from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The SUV showcased impressive towing capabilities of up to 7,700 pounds and an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 18 mpg, although real-world driving yielded a slightly better 21 mpg. Various driving modes in the Audi Q7 allowed customizable drivetrain and suspension settings, though the SUV did exhibit some off-the-line sluggishness in Comfort and Auto modes, which could be mitigated by switching to Dynamic mode.

Inside the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, the extended wheelbase offered generous space, particularly in the second row, which was pleasantly spacious for a midsize crossover. Cargo capacity ranged from 33.3 to 39.3 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 79.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The versatile layout featured dual 12.3-inch screens dominating the dashboard, complemented by a head-up display offering extensive information to minimize distraction. However, the steering wheel positioning and lumbar support posed challenges for some drivers.

In comparison, the Audi Q7’s interior wasn’t as practical for seven passengers, with the third-row seats deemed suitable only for young children due to their flat cushions and limited legroom. With the third row folded, cargo space improved significantly, offering 35.7 cubic feet, expanding to 69.6 cubic feet with both rear rows down. For five passengers, the Q7 proved comfortable with adequate legroom and thigh support in the second row, supplemented by four-zone climate control and heated rear seats. However, practical storage was limited due to the center console's layout and essential functions occupying potential storage spaces.

The GLE-Class impressed with its advanced MBUX infotainment system, featuring two 12.3-inch screens and an expansive head-up display. While initially complex, the system became intuitive over time, with features like augmented reality navigation and a responsive, though occasionally problematic, voice control system. Steering-wheel-mounted controls further enhanced usability by allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road.

The Audi Q7 received a significant tech upgrade with the new MMI Touch Response system, featuring a 10.1-inch and an 8.6-inch touchscreen duo handling most vehicle controls. The interface offered features like natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless smartphone integration, and Google Earth navigation. Although responsive overall, the touchscreen occasionally struggled with dry fingertips, impacting user experience. For audio, the Prestige trim's Bose system provided high-quality sound, though Audi moved to a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system for the 2021 model.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, despite lacking NHTSA and IIHS ratings at the time, boasted an impressive suite of autonomous safety technologies. Features like Attention Assist and Seat Kinetics aimed to enhance driver alertness and comfort over long journeys. Nevertheless, the adaptive driving systems exhibited challenges at higher speeds, often drifting within lanes and struggling with consistent accuracy.

The Audi Q7’s safety features included remarkable HD Matrix LED headlights, though IIHS rated them poorly for excessive glare. The SUV provided numerous ADAS, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. Unfortunately, the latter’s performance was marred by issues with traffic-sign recognition, leading to situations where the SUV braked abruptly upon misinterpreting road signs. Active Lane Assist also proved inconsistent, especially on roads with varying lane widths.