2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

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 almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped mitigate its minivan-like tendencies, 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 visually with models like 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 terms of 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 selector and turn signal stalks.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS, introduced in its third generation for the 2020 model year, carried over its luxurious appeal into 2021. The GLS had softened angles and lines, making it appear more svelte than its predecessors. Inside, the GLS featured a futuristic cabin dominated by a massive digital screen that spanned nearly two-thirds of the dash area. This screen highlighted the tech-reliant nature of the GLS's controls. The GLS was available in three levels: GLS 450, GLS 580, and the high-performance AMG GLS 63. Standard features included remote keyless entry, remote start, nine USB ports, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power liftgate. The AMG GLS 63 stood out with more aggressive bodywork, quad-outlet exhaust, and a chrome, slotted grille inspired by the AMG GT supercar. Inside, it featured a performance-inspired flat-bottomed sport steering wheel with a leather strip on an Alcantara wheel, adding a touch of motorsport flair.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle, offering a range of suspension configurations and engine setups. The base GLE 350 featured a coil-sprung setup, while the GLE 450 introduced AIRMATIC self-leveling air springs. The AMG Ride Control+ sport-tuned version of AIRMATIC, paired with Roll Stabilization and the Active Curve system, provided exceptional handling. The E-Active Body Control could lean the GLE into turns like a motorcyclist and even bounce the vehicle to free it from sand. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, while the GLE 580 and AMG GLE 63 S offered twin-turbo V8 engines with 483 hp and 603 hp, respectively. The GLE's hybrid system, powered by a 48-volt battery, provided up to 21 additional horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 350 had 255 hp, the GLE 450 had 362 hp, the AMG GLE 53 had 429 hp, the GLE 580 had 483 hp, and the AMG GLE 63 S had 603 hp. The GLE could tow up to 7,700 pounds and offered exceptional ride quality and steering.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a range of powerful engines, starting with the GLS 450's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLS 580 featured a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with 483 hp and 516 lb-ft. Both engines used a nine-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The AMG GLS 63 had a hand-crafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed AMG twin-clutch automatic transmission. The EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system added 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque when needed. The AMG GLS 63 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and had a top speed of 174 mph. The GLS 63 featured an adaptive, adjustable air suspension system, double-wishbone front suspension, and multi-link rear suspension, providing precise cornering and a composed ride. The GLS had multiple drive-mode settings, including Individual, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, controlled by a dial and buttons on the sport steering wheel.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered roomy two-row seating, with an optional third row for seven-passenger capacity. The second-row seats had power controls for recline, fore-aft, and headrest adjustments. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The GLE Coupe had less cargo space, with 23 cubic feet behind the second row and 61 cubic feet with all rows folded. The sloping roofline and large rear tires made the Coupe's rear space feel smaller. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability with a single touchpad and a simplified interface. Seat controls on the doors, rocker switches on the center console, and shortcuts for driving modes on the steering wheel were easy to use. The GLE's interior was overengineered, with features like a head-up display, ambient lighting, and a natural voice assistant.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS had three rows of spacious seating, with plenty of headroom and legroom for first- and second-row occupants. Seven-passenger seating was standard, with optional second-row captains' chairs reducing capacity to six. The third row was suitable for full-size adults, a rarity among three-row SUVs. The GLS had 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 42.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.4 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. The GLS 63 had a power-folding third row with toggles near the tailgate. The driver and front passenger enjoyed ample storage space, including in-door bins, a combination cup-holder/wireless-charging pad, and a center console with butterfly doors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, which could read hand gestures. The system included a touchpad, right thumbpad, and simplified interface with search bars and larger type. The AMG models had a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew and GPS lap timing. The Seat Kinetics system made small adjustments while driving, and the navigation system projected the front camera feed with overlay arrows and street names. The GLE had standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a natural voice assistant, and semi-automated functionality for lane changes and slowing down for curves. The head-up display and instrument panel were customizable, and the ambient lighting had 64 colors.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a massive touchscreen and a simple trackpad. The system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a USB-C cable for connection. The voice-control system responded to "Mercedes" or "Hey Mercedes" and could understand complex commands. The digital dash extended to the fully-digital instrument panel, both controlled by touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel. The right pad controlled the infotainment screen, while the left pad controlled the instrument panel. The driver could swipe through different display looks, making the technology more manageable.

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, for headlights, and for standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not rate 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 played "pink noise" to reduce hearing damage in a crash, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side could inflate side bolsters to better position occupants during a side impact.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with Active Brake Assist, forward-collision avoidance, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. Other standard features included automatic parking assist, a surround-view camera system, a driver-drowsiness monitor, and crosswind assist. Available safety tech included lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, adaptive cruise control, and a following-distance indicator. The GLS also offered stop-and-go cruise control and a full array of front-and-side-impact airbags, traction control, self-tensioning seatbelts, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.