2021 Honda CR-V 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 redesign contributed to a reduced drag coefficient from .32 to .29, making it a class leader according to Mercedes. The most noticeable change was the front end, which offered a handsome, if unoffensive, appearance. Inside, the GLE provided 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 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 price escalated quickly with various 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. Despite the luxurious features, some options like heated and cooled cupholders for $180 and soft-close doors for $550 seemed excessive. The total cost of the test vehicle, including a $995 Delivery & Destination fee, was $78,370.

The 2021 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, had a design that blended in with other compact crossovers, with few distinguishing features like the grille opening and some chromed plastic elements. The CR-V was available in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with only two vibrant options: Obsidian Blue Pearl and Radiant Red Metallic. The interior offered black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level, with wood panels and more chrome available on higher trims. The CR-V's design was more modern compared to some competitors, but vehicles like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. While it provided ample 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 impressive, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined, but the BMW X5 offered more power and slightly better city mileage.

The 2021 Honda CR-V came with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all nine trims. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.8 seconds, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided smooth and steady acceleration but lacked engagement compared to the conventional eight-speed automatics in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Its suspension setup included a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, providing decent handling and ride quality.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE's extended wheelbase provided significant interior space, especially in the second row. It offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 79.4 cubic feet 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 to prevent cramping, though the lumbar support was tricky to adjust. The steering wheel felt great but often blocked parts of the screen, and the upgraded Burmester stereo provided excellent sound, albeit with some vibration issues.

The 2021 Honda CR-V focused on functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The tailgate options varied by trim, with the Touring trim featuring a hands-free power tailgate. Roof rails were standard only on the top Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was designed to fit five people comfortably and carry their gear, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens and a head-up display (HUD). The system included augmented reality for navigation and natural voice control, though the latter had issues in the pre-production model tested. The driver-assistance tech was better than BMW's but still had room for improvement, especially at high speeds.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE had no current testing data from NHTSA or IIHS but offered a suite of autonomous safety systems, including Attention Assist and Seat Kinetics. However, the lane-keeping system was less effective at high speeds, making it frustrating to use.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more, all standard across all trims except for blind spot monitoring, which was standard from the EX trim upwards.