2021 INFINITI QX50 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it showed promise with an aggressive nose and sloping hood, the design seemed to lose its edge past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from 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 compete with the likes of the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior was a different story. The 2021 GLE's cabin was a masterpiece of quality, layout, colors, and textures. The red and black interior 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, and suede made the interior a delight to experience, despite some flimsy gear selectors and turn signal stalks.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 stood out in the crowded luxury compact crossover segment with its distinctive design and engineering. The large honeycomb grille and athletic-looking hood gave it a sporty appearance, which was further emphasized from the driver's seat. The rear featured a unique chrome strip, adding character to the vehicle. The panoramic moonroof brightened the cabin and offered stunning views, enhancing the overall feel of spaciousness. However, the thick B-pillars and short rear window opening slightly hindered outward visibility. The Sensory AWD test vehicle came with attractive 20-inch alloy wheels and all-season run-flat tires, adding to its aesthetic appeal. Inside, the QX50 boasted a well-designed cabin with soft-touch materials, aluminum trim accents, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The front seats offered heating and cooling, making it comfortable in various weather conditions. The interior controls were user-friendly, with actual knobs and buttons for radio and climate settings, although the transition to a push-button gear shift took some getting used to.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle, thanks to its complex suspension and engine setup. The base GLE 350 featured a coil-sprung setup, while the GLE 450 came with AIRMATIC self-leveling air springs. The AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control offered advanced features like adaptive dampers, anti-roll bars, and the ability to lean into turns. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe had an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, while the GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S featured twin-turbo V8 engines with up to 603 hp. All GLE models, except the base GLE 350, were hybrids with a 48-volt battery system, providing additional horsepower and torque. The GLE 450 had a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with 362 hp, while the AMG GLE 53 had 429 hp. The GLE 580 had 483 hp, and the GLE 63 S had 603 hp. The GLE's driving experience was exceptional, with a towing capacity of up to 7700 pounds and impressive ride quality and steering.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 268 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The VC-Turbo engine adjusted the compression ratio for a balance of power and efficiency. The engine operated smoothly and quietly, although the CVT had a reputation for droning. The QX50 offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive as an option. The drive mode selector allowed for adjustments in engine torque, transmission shift points, and steering effort, with four modes: Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal. Sport mode provided brisk acceleration and increased steering effort, while Eco mode was sluggish but fuel-efficient. The QX50's AWD system provided reassurance during a rainy, 360-mile drive, and the vehicle remained composed and stable throughout.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior with optional third-row seating, allowing for up to seven passengers. The second-row seats had power controls for recline, fore-aft, and headrest adjustments. The Coupe variant, however, was limited to five passengers and had less cargo space, with 23 cubic feet behind the second row and 61 cubic feet with all rows folded. The standard GLE had 34 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability with a single touchpad and simplified interface. Seat controls, rocker switches, and shortcuts for driving modes were easy to use, although the thumbpads on the steering wheel were less intuitive.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 felt spacious inside, with ample hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for adjustments between legroom and cargo space. The cargo area offered 31.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. Without the moonroof, these figures increased slightly. The optional Cargo package added useful features like a reversible cargo area protector, cargo blocks, and nets. The QX50 also had plenty of cupholders, storage bins, and charging options, including USB ports and a 12-volt charging port.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, which could read hand gestures for shortcuts. The system was easier to use with a touchpad and search bars, and the AMG models had a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew functions. The Seat Kinetics system made small adjustments for comfort, and the head-up display and instrument panel were highly customizable. The ambient lighting had 64 colors, and the navigation system projected front camera feeds with overlays for directions. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a natural voice assistant, enhanced the tech experience. The GLE also offered semi-automated functionality for lane changes and curve navigation.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with Infiniti's InTouch infotainment system, featuring dual display screens—an 8-inch upper LCD and a 7-inch lower color unit. The system included voice recognition and a suite of connected services. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was easy, and Apple CarPlay integration worked seamlessly. The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system delivered excellent sound quality. The QX50 also had an Around View Monitor with front and rear sonar and moving-object detection. ProPilot Assist, available on all but the base trim, combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, providing a glimpse of autonomous driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, scoring top ratings in six crash tests, headlights, and standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 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, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control. The GLE also had Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side for additional safety.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, predictive forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and more. The QX50 also had an Easy-fill tire alert and traffic sign recognition on higher trims. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the QX50 four out of five stars for rollover resistance, and the structurally similar 2020 model received five-star ratings for overall, front, and side crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the QX50 Good ratings for moderate overlap front and side crash protection and a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.