2021 Volvo XC40 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, contributing to a reduced drag coefficient from .32 to .29. The front end showcased the most significant visual transformation, making the vehicle appear handsome yet unoffensive. 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, although it was not included in the test model. However, the $720 Emerald Green Metallic paint displayed an unexpected 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 model included various luxury options, such as black leather upholstery, a cabin air purifier, multi-contour front seats with a massage feature, and a Burmester stereo. However, some features like heated and ventilated seats, power and memory for the passenger seat, and soft-close doors required extra costs. Despite the extensive options list, the total price of the test model reached $78,370, including a $995 Delivery & Destination fee.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a more traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting well with the rest of the Volvo lineup. The XC40 Recharge, the electric variant, featured a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and model-specific alloy wheels. It also had a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a different rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The charging port was located where the fuel filler would normally be. These minor differences made the XC40 Recharge a good option for drivers who preferred a subtle electric vehicle.

The XC40's interior was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials like real metal trim on the dashboard and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery. The design was coherent, with elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents blending seamlessly. Unlike many competitors, Volvo did not compromise on interior design to meet a price point, maintaining a high standard of quality throughout.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 used a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Despite its power, the engine felt sluggish from a stop due to turbo lag and the vehicle's nearly 5,000-pound weight. The start-stop system was also inelegant, causing noticeable interruptions. However, the engine was smooth and powerful at speed, and the 9-speed automatic transmission performed well, though not as smoothly 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.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base FWD T4 had 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge featured a dual-motor setup with 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The Recharge could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, while the T5 and T4 took 6.1 and 8.1 seconds, respectively. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort over performance, with excellent ride quality even on rough roads. It also offered one-pedal driving and a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE's extended wheelbase provided significant interior space, especially in the second row. Depending on the configuration, it offered between 33.3 and 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and up 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 difficult to adjust. The steering wheel felt great but often blocked parts of the screen. The upgraded Burmester stereo provided excellent sound, but the bass caused vibrations through the brake pedal.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to the gasoline models. However, it had less legroom and headroom than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E, and a smaller cargo area. The frunk was also small, with much of the space occupied by powertrain hardware. The gasoline XC40 was more competitive in interior space compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Volvo compensated for the lack of space with clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, and a wireless charging pad was optional.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the new MBUX infotainment system, which was deep and daunting at first but became intuitive with use. The steering-wheel controls were controversial but effective, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road. The driver-assistance tech was better than BMW's, though still not perfect at high speeds. The dual 12.3-inch screens and HUD offered options like augmented reality, though it could be distracting. The natural voice control system was less effective in the GLE than in the A-Class, possibly due to the pre-production status of the test vehicle.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge used the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability, allowing for updates to any vehicle function controlled by software. The Recharge lacked a start button, instead using a key fob for automatic start when shifting out of park. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was expected to be available via OTA update, but Volvo had not confirmed it for the XC40.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE had no current testing data from NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered an impressive suite of autonomous safety systems. Features like Attention Assist and Seat Kinetics aimed to prevent driver fatigue. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were less effective at high speeds, causing the car to bounce around the lane and struggle with shadows and merging situations.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA. The electric XC40 Recharge had not been tested, but Volvo expected it to perform well due to a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure. The XC40 came with a long list of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model had Volvo's latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.