2021 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE presented a smoother and less sculpted appearance compared to its predecessors, with softened lines and removed edges and scalloping. This design change contributed to a reduced drag coefficient from .32 to .29, making it a class leader according to Mercedes. The most noticeable transformation was at the front end, giving the vehicle a handsome, albeit unoffensive, look. Inside, the GLE offered extra headroom and legroom due to a 3.1-inch wheelbase extension, and for the first time, an optional third row was available, although it was not included in the test model. However, the $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint showed a surprising amount of orange-peel effect, which was disappointing for a premium paint option.

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's price quickly escalated with various options, including black leather upholstery, a cabin air purifier, multi-contour front seats with a massage feature, and numerous other luxury and comfort enhancements. Despite the extensive list of options, some features like heated and cooled cupholders and soft-close doors seemed excessive. The total price of the test vehicle, including a $995 Delivery & Destination fee, was $78,370.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite being redesigned for the 2019 model year, retained a styling that looked older due to its carryover design from the previous generation. The most significant change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru's approach seemed to be "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," as the boxy, upright shape appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim level appeared plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a noticeable difference, especially with a complementary paint color like Dark Blue Pearl.

The Forester rode on the Subaru Global Platform, shared with other models like the Impreza and Outback. The interior featured a mix of durable materials, with the Sport trim adding orange trim and cross-stitching. Cloth upholstery was standard on Base, Premium, and Sport models, while Limited and Touring trims offered leather upholstery. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

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, shared with the A-Class sedan but with significant upgrades, provided ample power at speed but felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag and the vehicle's nearly 5,000-pound weight. The start-stop system was notably inelegant, detracting from the overall driving experience. Despite these issues, the engine was smooth and powerful, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission that, while not as refined as BMW's 8-speed, was still competent. The GLE 350 4Matic's fuel economy was impressive, with 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity. Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound towing capacity, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard. While adequate in most situations, the engine lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds. The suspension was softly tuned, resulting in poor body control and a bouncy ride on uneven pavement. However, the Forester's standard all-wheel-drive system and X-Mode provided better handling on different surfaces, with Dual X-Mode available on Sport models. Hill-descent control was standard on Premium and higher trims, and the Forester offered 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE's extended wheelbase provided significant interior space, especially in the second row. Depending on the options, it offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and 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, although the lumbar support was difficult to adjust. The steering wheel, while chunky and comfortable, often blocked part of the screen. The upgraded Burmester stereo provided excellent sound, but the bass caused vibrations through the brake pedal.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feeling. The Forester had 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats down, more than some competitors but less than others. A power liftgate was optional on the Sport trim and standard on Limited and Touring trims. The Forester's cupholders were decently sized, and the center console was reasonably spacious, but the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone, and wireless charging was not available. A power-adjustable driver's seat was only available on the Premium trim and above. The large knobs for audio and climate control were user-friendly, but the numerous buttons on the steering wheel were confusing.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system, which was both deep and daunting but ultimately rewarding. The system included two 12.3-inch screens and a head-up display (HUD), offering options like augmented reality for directions and traffic signals. The natural voice control system, while impressive in the A-Class, was less effective in the GLE. The driver-assistance tech was better than BMW's but still had issues at high speeds, often fighting the driver and getting confused by shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio system, while Limited and Touring trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls, but the screen was slow to boot up. The Forester also had a secondary screen in the center of the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, displaying secondary information like fuel economy and tire pressure. This setup seemed overly complex, as much of the same information could be displayed on both screens.

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 adjusted seating positions to prevent cramping. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist systems were less effective at high speeds, causing the car to bounce around the lane and get confused by shadows and unexpected lines.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, receiving the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Forester came standard with Subaru's EyeSight driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. The Forester also offered a driver-monitoring system called DriverFocus, which checked for signs of distraction. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.