2022 Honda Odyssey vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load and unload children, even in tight parking spaces. The third-row seat was comfortable and spacious, accommodating adults without much hassle. The Odyssey also offered impressive cargo space, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded down or removed. Despite its utilitarian nature, the Odyssey had a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and quality interior materials.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe was a stylish and luxurious SUV that turned heads with its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork. The interior was equally impressive, featuring high-end materials like Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner, and brushed aluminum trim. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design added a high-tech touch, while ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night. However, the GLE Coupe's design did come with some compromises, such as limited rear visibility and a smaller cargo area compared to the standard GLE.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system and a 10-speed automatic transmission with pushbutton controls. While it lacked the all-wheel-drive and hybrid options available in some competitors, the Odyssey delivered a respectable EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg. The minivan was quick to merge onto freeways, responsive around corners, and composed on mountain roads. However, its brakes tended to heat up and produce pedal vibration during extended downhill driving.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, on the other hand, boasted a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The engine featured EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that added extra power when needed and helped conserve fuel. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg, and the test vehicle achieved 18.5 mpg. The GLE 53 Coupe came with a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system. It offered multiple driving modes, an AMG sport exhaust system, and an AMG Active Ride Control suspension. The SUV felt nimble and composed in urban settings and delivered impressive performance on winding roads, though its size and weight were noticeable on more challenging routes.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey provided easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. The minivan offered ample storage space, including a handy floor tray and numerous compartments. The second-row seats were comfortable and versatile, with the Magic Slide feature allowing for various configurations. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the cargo area behind it offered 32.8 cubic feet of space. Folding the third-row seat expanded the cargo volume to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats provided a massive 144.9 cubic feet of space.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe, while technically seating five, was more comfortable for four passengers. The front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, making them ideal for long drives. Rear visibility was limited, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample legroom for adults, and the cargo area offered 27.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The GLE Coupe also featured comfort upgrades like a four-zone automatic climate control system, heated armrests, and an in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto starting from the EX trim level. The Touring trim added navigation and HondaLink connected services, including WiFi hotspot access. The Odyssey also featured CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies, a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch display, and an 11-speaker premium audio system in the Elite trim. However, the infotainment system felt outdated, and the navigation system was less intuitive compared to smartphone-based options.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens, including a digital instrument cluster and touchscreen. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Mercedes Me connected services. The system was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition technology and beautifully rendered graphics. Optional features included gesture recognition, augmented video for navigation, a head-up display, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety systems lacked refinement and could be overly sensitive. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe was equipped with forward-collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Pre Safe Sound, which emitted a tone to protect hearing during a collision. The Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional safety systems, including Traffic Jam Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. The GLE Coupe's safety systems were refined and accurate, providing a seamless driving experience. While crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.