2021 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, blending traditional elements with modern touches. While maintaining its recognizable boxy profile and blunt front end, the XC90 introduced softer lines, more chrome, and distinctive LED headlights with "Thor’s Hammer" daytime running lights. The Inscription trim, with its extra chrome and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, was the flashiest, while the R-Design and Momentum trims offered sportier and more basic looks, respectively. The XC90's interior embraced "Swedish minimalism," featuring matte-finish wood trim and unique wool upholstery options, creating a restrained yet luxurious cabin.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe presented a more aggressive and athletic design. The test vehicle's Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork gave it a sporty appearance reminiscent of an athletic sneaker. Inside, the GLE 53 Coupe boasted high-end materials, including Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner, and brushed aluminum trim. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design added a high-tech feel, while ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night. Despite its complexity, the interior design aimed for a facade of simplicity, though it required some acclimation to operate smoothly.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model featured a turbocharged engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid combined the T6 engine with electric assist, delivering a total of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The T5 came with front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive optional, while the T6 and T8 models had standard all-wheel drive. Despite its power, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility, and the plug-in hybrid's electric mode was limited to low speeds and gentle acceleration. However, the XC90 excelled in ride quality and quietness, with an optional air-suspension system enhancing comfort. The XC90 also had a respectable towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, though it fell short of some competitors.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 429 hp and 384 pound-feet of torque, supplemented by an EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This setup provided robust acceleration and a combined fuel economy of 18.5 mpg. The GLE 53 Coupe's performance was further enhanced by a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission, AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, and AMG Dynamic Select driving modes. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes contributed to its sporty handling. In urban settings, the GLE Coupe's speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering made maneuvering easy, though the AMG Performance braking system required careful modulation. The GLE Coupe felt nimble and composed in various driving conditions, with Sport+ mode delivering exhilarating performance on challenging roads. However, its size and weight were noticeable liabilities, and the loud exhaust note in Sport+ mode could be intrusive.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered six-seat or seven-seat configurations, with second-row captain’s chairs or a bench seat. Headroom and legroom were average for the segment, with the third row being tight for adults. The interior felt spacious, thanks to an optional power moonroof and upright roof profile. The Inscription trim featured 10-way power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats with backrest massage, though the steering wheel was not power-adjustable. Storage space was limited, with a shallow center console storage bin. Cargo space for the T8 Recharge model was 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 64.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, placing it near the bottom of the segment.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe technically seated five people, though it was more comfortable for four. The sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage, providing comfort on long drives. Forward visibility was good, but rear visibility was challenging, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the cargo hold offered 27.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The GLE Coupe included comfort upgrades such as a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated armrests, rapid-heating front seats, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Standard USB ports included two front USB-A ports and two rear USB-C ports. An optional 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and head-up display were also available. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was user-friendly, though the amount of text and typeface made reading some menus difficult while driving. The wireless charging pad added for 2021 was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe came with the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes Me connected services. Wireless smartphone charging and a Burmester surround-sound audio system were also standard. MBUX was easy to use, with natural voice recognition technology activated by saying "Hey Mercedes." However, the touchpad on the center console was easy to activate inadvertently. Optional features included an MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture recognition, an augmented video feature for navigation, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for non-hybrid models, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle testing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded all XC90 models a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo's Pilot Assist driver aid, which combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Pre Safe Sound system emitted a "pink noise" tone before a collision to protect hearing. The Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, Active Lane Change Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. The lane-keeping assistance technology was particularly effective. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.