2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2021 Buick Enclave

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it look similar to its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped mitigate its minivan-like appearance, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. The AMG trim added a sporty touch, but it still couldn't match the visual appeal of rivals such as the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

However, the interior of the GLE was a different story. Mercedes made significant improvements, creating a masterpiece of quality, layout, colors, and textures. The red and black interior of the tested GLE Coupe was both loud and luxurious, surpassing even Porsche and Audi in opulence. The twin arching grab handles, LED lighting, and a mix of wood, metal, leather, suede, and plastic made the interior a delight to touch and operate. Despite some flimsy gear selectors and turn signal stalks, the GLE exuded a sense of pampering, especially when optioned with high-end features.

The 2021 Buick Enclave, on the other hand, aimed to recapture the brand's former glory with its big, shiny, and impressive design. The Enclave was the largest of Buick's four SUVs, standing out with its unique grille pattern, extra brightwork, and polished 20-inch wheels in the Avenir trim. This gave it a premium look that could compete with higher-priced three-row SUVs.

Inside, the Enclave Avenir continued the upscale theme with organic forms, a minimalist approach to instrumentation, and tasteful polished accents. The soft, perforated, piped, and embroidered leather seats added a sense of luxury, although the wood trim was not genuine. The simplicity of the interior was marred only by the fussy electronic transmission shifter, which took some getting used to. Overall, the Enclave's interior was comfortable and serene, thanks to Buick's QuietTuning efforts, Active Noise Cancellation, and laminated windshield glass.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle with its complex suspension and engine setup. The base GLE 350 featured a coil-sprung setup for reliability and comfort, while the GLE 450 introduced the AIRMATIC self-leveling air springs with adaptive dampers. The AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control systems further enhanced the ride by adjusting the spring rate, damping, and height for each wheel independently. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe tested had an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, although it wasn't as thrilling as expected. The GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S offered more power with their twin-turbo V8 engines, delivering up to 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque.

All GLE models, except the base GLE 350, were hybrids with a 48-volt battery system that provided additional horsepower and torque, seamless auto stop-start, and energy for accessories. Fuel efficiency varied, with the GLE 450 achieving 21/26/23 mpg and the GLE 350 4Matic at 19/26/22 mpg. The GLE 350 had rear-wheel drive, while all other trims featured 4Matic all-wheel drive. The GLE 450's turbo 3.0-liter inline-six produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, while the AMG GLE 53's engine reached 429 hp and 384 lb-ft. The GLE 580's twin-turbo V8 delivered 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, and the GLE 63 S topped the range with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. The GLE's driving experience was exceptional, with a towing capacity of up to 7700 pounds and impressive ride quality and steering.

The 2021 Buick Enclave featured a simpler setup with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 generated 310 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, providing strong acceleration. The Enclave's maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.

The Enclave drove like a smaller SUV despite its size, with the nine-speed automatic delivering smooth shifts. The FWD model tested could momentarily spin the tires before traction control intervened. The Avenir Technology Package added a premium-tuned suspension with continuously variable damping and automatic emergency braking at highway speeds. The suspension performed well across various driving conditions, offering a comfortable and controlled ride. The steering and brake response were satisfactory, although quicker steering response would have been appreciated. The Enclave achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, with a range of up to 460 miles on a full tank.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models being roomy two-row SUVs. An optional third-row allowed seating for seven, with power controls for the second-row seats to facilitate access to the third row. The GLE Coupe, however, was limited to five passengers, with a less spacious rear due to the sloping roofline and large rear tires. Cargo capacity in the standard GLE was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The Coupe had 23 and 61 cubic feet, respectively.

The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability with a single touchpad and a simplified interface. Seat controls on the doors, rocker switches for the suspension, and AMG driving mode shortcuts on the steering wheel were user-friendly. However, the thumbpads on the steering wheel were less intuitive. The GLE required some setup time to familiarize with its features, but it was less complicated than its predecessor.

The 2021 Buick Enclave was one of the largest SUVs in its class, offering ample space for six or seven passengers. The Avenir trim featured 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support and massage, and a 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with matching massage. The seats were heated, ventilated, and wrapped in soft leather. The wood-and-leather steering wheel included automatic heating.

The Enclave's center console was stylish and functional, with storage under the transmission shifter and in a bin beneath the center armrest. Seven-passenger seating was standard, with second-row captain's chairs and a three-person third-row bench seat. The third-row seat was roomy and comfortable, with easy access through the large rear doors and between the captain's chairs. Cargo space was commendable, with 23.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 58 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, which could read hand gestures for shortcuts. The system could be controlled via the touchpad or right thumbpad, with a user-friendly interface and search bars for easy navigation. The AMG models included a Track Pace app for lap timing and a Seat Kinetics system for small seat adjustments. Additional features included perfume canisters, Energizing Comfort with spa music, heated armrests, and bolsters that inflated during steering.

The head-up display and instrument panel were customizable, with sharp and crisp displays. Ambient lighting offered 64 colors and animations, while navigation projected front camera feed with overlays for directions. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a natural voice assistant, and semi-automated functionality were also available. The GLE's technology was extensive and well-executed, offering more features than most customers would fully utilize.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's infotainment system met basic expectations but fell short in screen size, smart home integration, and high-end audio components. The Avenir's 8-inch touchscreen was the largest available, and the 10-speaker Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors. The Enclave offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, connected services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and USB charging ports in all three rows. A Teen Driver function provided a driving report card for parents.

Upgrades included a premium sound system, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a surround-view camera system. The rear camera mirror showed a live video feed of what was behind the Enclave, which was useful. However, the short free trial periods for connected services were a drawback.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, identical to the 2021 model, earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its performance in six crash tests, headlights, and standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the GLE. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control. Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side were also available, along with advanced braking and stability control systems.

The 2021 Buick Enclave's safety systems were less comprehensive. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available only on the Essence trim and above. The Driver Confidence Plus Package, standard on Premium and Avenir trims, included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. Adaptive cruise control with enhanced automatic emergency braking was available only with the Avenir Technology Package. The Enclave lacked lane-centering assistance, rear automatic braking, self-parking, and Level 2 driving assistance technology.

The Enclave received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a four-star rating for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS gave it high marks, but a Marginal headlight performance rating prevented it from earning a Top Safety Pick accolade.