2020 Volvo XC90 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE presented a smoother and less sculpted design compared to its predecessors, with softened lines and removed edges and scalloping. This change contributed to a reduced drag coefficient from .32 to .29, making it a class leader according to Mercedes. The front end saw the most significant transformation, resulting in a handsome, if unoffensive, appearance. 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 a surprising amount of orange-peel effect, which was disappointing for a premium vehicle.

The GLE 350 started at $53,700, featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Adding the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system cost an additional $2,500. The test car included numerous options, such as black leather upholstery for $1,620, a cabin air purifier and fragrance system for $350, and multi-contour front seats with a massage feature for $1,100. However, heat and ventilation for the seats required an extra $450, and power and memory for the passenger seat added another $350. The total price of the test car, including various other options and a $995 Delivery & Destination fee, came to $78,370.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a modern design that was a departure from the boxy sedans and wagons of the ‛80s and ‛90s. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatment, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and bright 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were standard, giving the XC90 a distinctive look. The Thunder Grey Metallic paint on the test model had a blue hue, contrasting beautifully with the beige-leather and aluminum interior.

The XC90's interior was luxurious, with options like matte wood trim and wool fabric seats on Inscription models, and leather with aluminum or carbon-fiber trim on the R-Design. The seats were comfortable and supportive, with power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage. The rear seats were almost as good as the front, and the cabin featured rich leather on the dash and doors, padded materials for quality and safety, and finer details like the Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat. The center console's leather draped around the gear shifter, and the vertical touchscreen integrated seamlessly into the dash, emphasizing simplicity and quality.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, borrowed from the A-Class sedan but with significant upgrades, provided ample power at speed but felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag. The GLE 350's nearly 5,000-pound weight contributed to this issue. The 9-speed automatic transmission was decent but not as smooth as the 8-speed in the BMW X5. The GLE 350 4Matic's starting price was $56,200, making it competitive, but the BMW X5's standard turbocharged inline-6 offered more power and better performance. The GLE 350's fuel economy was impressive, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6, with a supercharger in addition to the turbocharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. However, the XC90's mid-range acceleration was good, but the engine lagged in Comfort mode and revved too high in the Polestar Engineered model. The noise was also unrefined for a vehicle in this price range. The T6 AWD's fuel economy was rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined, while the T5 AWD achieved 20/27/23.

The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with an 11.6-kWh battery providing up to 18 gas-free miles. However, the hybrid system's added weight negated the speed promised by these high numbers, and the fuel economy was not significantly better once the battery depleted. The Polestar upgrade also claimed to improve the transmission, throttle, and steering response, but the XC90's steering was lifeless, and the body roll and dive were significant. The Four-C adaptive air suspension lowered the XC90 in sport mode, but the vehicle was not sporty, focusing more on comfort and quiet.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE's extended wheelbase provided extra space inside, especially in the second row. The GLE 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, with a "Seat Kinetics" system that subtly adjusted seating positions to prevent cramping. However, the steering wheel often blocked part of the screen, and the upgraded Burmester stereo caused substantial vibration through the brake pedal.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system initialized faster and responded more quickly than earlier models. The system controlled all climate functions, including seat and steering wheel controls, through the touchscreen. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an integrated booster cushion for young children in the middle of the second-row bench. The third row was tight and suitable only for small children. Cargo space was up to 85.7 cubic feet with the last two rows folded. The sightlines from the driver's seat were good, and the interior featured high-quality materials and thoughtful details.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system, which was deep and daunting at first but became second nature with use. The system included two giant 12.3-inch screens and a head-up display (HUD), offering options like augmented reality for directions and traffic signals. The new voice control system, a competitor to Siri and Alexa, was less effective in the GLE than in the A-Class. The driver-assistance tech was better than BMW's but still had issues at high speeds, where the car bounced around the lane and struggled with shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system that combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The system was accurate and smart, especially in lower-speed traffic. The R-Design model featured a phenomenal Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power. The portrait-oriented touchscreen made navigation easier, and the instrument panel could be reskinned to show the map between the two analog-style dials. However, the onboard apps were slow to load, and the system did not offer as much reconfigurability as competitors like Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar, or Mercedes.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE had no current testing data from the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems. Attention Assist monitored eye contact and head position to anticipate driver fatigue, and Seat Kinetics made slight adjustments to seating positions to prevent cramping. However, the adaptive cruise, auto braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist systems had issues at high speeds, where the car bounced around the lane and struggled with shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick instead of a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in features like the boron steel roof, curtain airbags, and a unique whiplash protection system for the front seats.