2022 Jeep Wrangler 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 appearance, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. Even in AMG trim, the GLE struggled to match the visual impact of rivals such as the BMW X5 M and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior was a different story. The 2021 GLE boasted a redesigned, streamlined, and cohesive interior that was a masterpiece in quality, layout, colors, and textures. The red and black interior of the tested GLE Coupe was both loud and palatial, surpassing even Porsche and Audi in terms of luxury. The twin arching grab handles, LED lighting, and a mix of wood, metal, leather, and suede made the interior a delight to touch and operate.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, on the other hand, was all about rugged practicality and off-road capability. The High Tide special edition, based on the four-door Wrangler Unlimited Sport S trim, featured a 1.5-inch suspension lift, 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, and 35-inch BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires. The interior was basic, with durable cloth upholstery and plastic and rubber materials dominating the cabin. The driving position was close to the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield, requiring some acclimation. Visibility was a mixed bag, with excellent views in some areas and compromised views in others. Rear-seat passengers faced entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside. Storage options were limited, and the tailgate, with its heavy 35-inch spare wheel, required careful handling. Overall, the Wrangler's interior was functional but far from luxurious.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle with a range of advanced suspension and engine setups. The base GLE 350 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 had a 3.0-liter inline-six with 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The AMG GLE 53 took this engine to 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft with the help of an electric supercharger. The GLE 580 had a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft, and the AMG GLE 63 S topped the range with 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft. The GLE's air suspension systems, including AIRMATIC and E-Active Body Control, provided exceptional ride quality and handling. The hybrid setup, with a 48-volt battery, added up to 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque for brief periods, enhancing performance and efficiency. However, fuel economy was not a strong point, with the AMG GLE 53 averaging 16 mpg and the GLE 580 rated at 16/21/18 mpg.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque mild-hybrid electrification, producing 285 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic transmission was a mandatory $4,000 option, and the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD system was great for slippery conditions. The EPA rated the Wrangler Unlimited with the eTorque V6 at 21 mpg in combined driving, but the Xtreme Recon Package modifications reduced this to an average of 16.8 mpg. The Wrangler's driving experience was unique and immersive, with a rough-and-tumble feel, loud cabin noise, and touchy brakes. It was not a vehicle for those seeking comfort and refinement but rather for those who appreciated its off-road capabilities and rugged charm.

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, and the third-row access was made easier with sliding and folding seats. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The GLE Coupe, however, was limited to five passengers and had a shallower cargo space of 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 on the center console, and shortcuts for driving modes on the steering wheel were easy to use, although the thumbpads on the steering wheel required some getting used to.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide's raised suspension made entry and exit challenging, especially for shorter or less-limber individuals. The manual height adjuster for the driver's seat required regular re-adjustment due to its location. The seats were comfortable, and the cloth upholstery was durable. Visibility was a mixed bag, with excellent views in some areas and compromised views in others. Rear-seat passengers faced entry and exit difficulties but found agreeable accommodations once inside. Storage options were limited, and the tailgate, with its heavy 35-inch spare wheel, required careful handling. Cargo space was 31.7 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen display with Interior Assistant, which could read certain hand gestures. The system could be controlled with the touchpad or the right thumbpad, and it became easier to use with time. The AMG models had a Track Pace app, Seat Kinetics, and various comfort features like heated armrests and bolsters that automatically inflated when steering. The head-up display and instrument panel were highly customizable, and the ambient lighting had 64 colors. The navigation system projected the front camera feed with overlay arrows and street names. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a natural voice assistant, and semi-automated functionality were also available.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide, based on the Sport S trim, had a relatively basic infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The optional Uconnect 8.4 system offered upgrades like satellite radio, connected services, and a navigation system, but the 7-inch system provided all the essentials. The Wrangler High Tide also had remote engine starting, satellite radio, passive keyless entry, and single-zone automatic climate control with a new air filtration system. The Cold Weather Group added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its top ratings 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 360-degree cameras and other advanced safety technologies.

The 2022 Jeep Wrangler High Tide included the Safety Group and the Advanced Safety Group. The Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. The Advanced Safety Group included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Wrangler received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA and a Marginal rating for protection in the IIHS's small overlap crash-test evaluation. The Wrangler also earned a Marginal rating in the new side-impact test, and its headlight performance was rated Poor for the standard lights and Marginal for the LED upgrades.