2021 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, despite being a well-crafted vehicle, had a look that only some may have found visually appealing. Historically, its lineage began with the original ML in 1997, which was often compared to a bread van against the more stylish BMW X5. By 2021, the GLE—renamed in 2016—hadn't managed to fully shed its underwhelming appearance. It teased with a striking front design featuring an aggressive nose and low-lying hood but faltered past the A-pillar, bearing a strong resemblance to its predecessor. The GLE hosted flat taillights and a curved rear that lent a passable look, yet it couldn't escape a minivan-like vibe. Mercedes' effort in styling its sedans, coupes, and sports cars had been nothing short of remarkable; however, its SUVs and crossovers lacked the refined proportions seen in competitors such as BMW, Audi, Jaguar, and even Lincoln. The AMG trim added some sportiness, but it still failed to intimidate rivals like the BMW X5 M, Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Audi RS Q8, or Range Rover Sport SVR. Even the elegantly designed Volvo XC90 seemed to overshadow the GLE.

Nonetheless, Mercedes enhanced the GLE’s interior significantly. By 2021, a redesigned GLE Coupe appeared, presenting a more streamlined and cohesive form compared to its previous iteration. Inside, the GLE shone brightly. The quality, layout, colors, and textures in the cabin were extraordinary. For instance, the test model's red and black interior stood out with a luxurious touch arguably more opulent than what Porsche or Audi offered. Prominent features included arching grab handles encased in LED lighting, plush headrests, and intricate grilles framing expansive screens. The materials—wood, metal, leather, suede, plastic—were all a delight to interact with, apart from the gear selector and turn signal stalks, which felt a bit flimsy. Overall, the GLE's interior exuded luxury and comfort, though this sense of affluence required higher trim levels.

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design approach that leaned heavily towards practicality rather than aesthetics. Much like other compact crossovers in the market, its overall styling wasn’t one to turn heads or elicit strong reactions. The "daylight opening," or side window shape, was almost identical across competitor models, making differentiation based on looks a challenging task.

However, Honda attempted to give the CR-V a touch of uniqueness with a distinctive grille and some chromed plastic touches. For those in pursuit of exterior aesthetics, the CR-V offered eight colors, albeit not the most exciting palette. The array included multiple gray shades, black, white, and two shades of blue with a single vibrant option, Radiant Red Metallic. Unfortunately, interesting colors were restricted to higher trims, and the base LX had only black, silver, and white (with white being a paid extra).

On the interior, the CR-V's offerings depended highly on the trim level. Black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather were availabilities, with higher trims providing wood panels and additional chrome for an upscale look. The seat designs were angular and modern, with sharp details on the edges and headrests. Despite not being the flashiest or most distinctive, the CR-V’s design fulfilled its primary objective: functionality and comfort.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class excelled as a multipurpose SUV, unconstrained by style criticisms. Its performance was underpinned by a sophisticated air suspension and turbocharged engines across various trims. Apart from the base GLE 350, which had a reliable coil-sprung setup, higher trims like the GLE 450 featured AIRMATIC suspension with self-leveling air springs and adaptive dampers offering multiple ride heights. The sportier AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control systems presented advanced solutions with electrohydraulic motors altering anti-roll bars' spring rates for enhanced handling.

Performance-wise, the GLE 53 Coupe boasted an electric supercharger fostering rapid throttle response, although true adrenaline seekers would prefer the twin-turbo setups in the GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S, with the latter delivering 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. All GLE models, barring the base GLE 350, were equipped with a hybrid system integrating an electric motor-generator with a 48-volt battery to assist the engine. Despite its presence, this hybrid setup primarily added to seamless operation rather than fuel efficiency, as demonstrated by the varied EPA ratings across trims.

The GLE 350, with its 255 hp and 273 lb-ft torque rear-wheel drive configuration, was an entry-level option, while the GLE 450 took it up a notch with a 3.0-liter inline-six turbo engine offering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The AMG GLE 53 extracted 429 hp and 384 lb-ft torque from the same engine. The more powerful GLE 580 wielded a 4.0-liter V8 producing 483 hp and 516 lb-ft torque.

Every GLE, regardless of trim, exhibited remarkable driving dynamics, dancing like a smaller sedan with an ability to tow up to 7700 pounds, making it quite versatile. Models with AMG tuning showed superior handling features, tailored driving modes, and even beefier brakes with optional carbon-ceramic options. Overall, the GLE provided a smooth and dynamic driving experience typical of Mercedes’ excellence.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high-octane performance but for smooth and reliable driving. Across its nine non-hybrid trims, a consistent 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered acceleration that registered approximately 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. While it wasn't designed for thrilling acceleration, this performance was comparable within its segment, narrowly lagging behind contemporaries.

CR-V's drivetrain, featuring a continuously variable transmission (CVT), focused on maintaining engine efficiency and smooth power delivery rather than engaging driving. Competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, with their conventional eight-speed automatics and sport modes, offered a more spirited drive. The RAV4 and VW Taos also utilized traditional transmissions.

Standard CR-V models had front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an optional upgrade. This choice was consistent with industry practices, though the Subaru Forester stood out by offering AWD as standard across trims.

The CR-V's suspension setup, consisting of MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link system at the rear, echoed the segment norm. This gave it decent handling and ride quality. In many ways, the CR-V provided a predictable and steady driving experience, ideal for daily commuting and family travel.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class provided roomy two-row seating that could expand to three rows, accommodating up to seven passengers. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed power controls for added comfort, and the second-row seats could slide and fold for easier access to the optional third row. However, the GLE Coupe limited seating to five and lacked middle-seat comfort. Cargo capacity in the standard GLE stood at 34 cubic feet behind the second row, which extended to 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The Coupe variant had a shallower cargo space of 23 cubic feet, expandable to 61 cubic feet.

The interior usability saw enhancements with the new MBUX infotainment system replacing the clunky rotary/touchpad combo with a single touchpad and simplified interface. User-friendly controls on the doors and the center console ensured that operating the GLE's features was intuitive. Setting up the car initially could require some adjustments, as it was unlike any other vehicle.

The 2021 Honda CR-V focused on maximizing interior space while maintaining comfort for five passengers. It offered a generous 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume, eclipsing the Toyota RAV4 by four cubic feet. The CR-V also provided slightly more cargo space behind the second row compared to the RAV4. With the rear seats folded, it boasted 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space, ample for handling significant luggage.

Accessing the cargo area varied by trim level. Lower trims required manual operation, while higher trims like the EX-L and Touring featured power tailgates. The Touring trim also offered a hands-free version, activated by waving a foot under the bumper, subject to the key fob's presence. The availability of roof rails was limited to the top-tier Touring trim, contrasting with rivals like Subaru, which offered them on most trims.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class was technologically advanced, featuring a 12-inch touchscreen equipped with Interior Assistant that could interpret specific hand gestures. The system allowed users to program shortcuts and magnify icons upon hovering. The intuitive MBUX infotainment system became easier to navigate over time, offering a streamlined interface complemented by search bars and larger type.

AMG models benefited from specialized apps like Track Pace, which acted as a virtual pit crew and lap timer. The Seat Kinetics feature made small adjustments for comfort, and luxurious additions like heated armrests and ambient lighting with 64 colors enhanced the driving experience.

Standout features included a reconfigurable head-up display, a natural voice assistant that could learn new commands, semi-automated driving functionalities, and an impressive suite of comfort-focused electronics, including a range of massage settings and climate control enhancements.

The base 2021 Honda CR-V LX offered a basic 5-inch color screen primarily for Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims, starting from the Special Edition, included a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SMS text functionalities. The audio system varied from a 180-watt system with six speakers to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer in the Touring trim, which also offered satellite navigation with voice recognition.

Charging ports were plentiful in the CR-V, with front and second-row USB ports providing connectivity. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger for added convenience. While the CR-V's tech offerings were robust, they were modest compared to the GLE's extensive electronics suite.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class had achieved the highest safety accolade from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with a Top Safety Pick+ rating, excelling in six crash tests, superior headlights, and standard forward emergency braking. Though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) hadn't rated it, the GLE came with a comprehensive suite of safety features. Standard options included blind-spot monitoring and driver attention monitoring, with adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, and other advanced aids as optional extras. Higher trims had features like Pre-Safe Sound to mitigate hearing damage during a crash and Pre-Safe Impulse Side that adjusted the side bolsters for better side-impact protection.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning both a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award, though it fell short of the highest IIHS accolade due to minor discrepancies in the headlight evaluation and newer side crash tests. The CR-V's standard safety package, Honda Sensing, provided comprehensive coverage across all trims, which was notable given that many competitors limited advanced features to higher trims.

Standard safety features included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlamps. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard only from the EX trim upward.