2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 had the look and styling of a downsized CX-5, featuring an upright grille and smooth, flowing fenders. It rode on the same platform as the Mazda3, essentially acting as a raised-up version of the Mazda3 hatchback. The CX-30's raked windshield acted like a greenhouse on sunny days, potentially causing a tan on longer drives. However, the windshield's slight curve at eye level for taller drivers could distort the road view, which was distracting.

Inside, the CX-30's cabin was comfortable and quiet, with solid-feeling buttons and doors. The interior design was one of the best among affordable cars, blending conventional and digital displays artfully. The infotainment screen rose organically from the smooth dashboard, but its steep learning curve was a downside. The trim levels ranged from the 2.5 S to the Turbo Premium Plus, each adding more features and luxury touches, with the Turbo Premium Plus including front-and-rear parking sensors and advanced driver assistance features.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover that was hard to notice at first glance. The front grille featured clever Mercedes star logos, and the headlights and taillights had minor updates. Standard LED headlights and optional multi-beam LED headlights were available. The GLE 450e test vehicle was finished in Twilight Blue metallic and rode on sleek 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, which filled out the wheel wells nicely.

The GLE 450e's interior exuded class and luxury with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery and natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered 10 interior color choices and five trims, including brushed aluminum and black piano lacquer. The cabin was one of the highest quality and most robust-looking in its segment, providing a luxurious and comfortable environment for passengers.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. The test model had an upgraded 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 227 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque on 87 octane fuel, and 250 hp and 320 lb-ft on 93 octane fuel. Power was routed to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged engine provided decent acceleration, and the Sport mode enhanced throttle response and shift mapping, making the CX-30 lively and active in downshifting when braking.

The CX-30 had a sporty, refined ride with well-weighted steering and quick, precise turn-in. There was little-to-no body roll in cornering, but the downside was a rough ride over potholes and bumpy roads. The suspension handled dirt and gravel roads decently, but craggy paved roads were a challenge.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including turbocharged four- and six-cylinders, and a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower in the AMG GLE 63 S. The GLE 450e test vehicle had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, developing a combined output of 381 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450e accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, feeling swift when merging onto highways or accelerating from traffic signals.

The GLE 450e's electric-only driving range was estimated at 40 miles, and it could operate as a silent-running EV on the highway at speeds up to 87 mph. The transition from gas to electric power was almost undetectable, and the transmission was seamless. The suspension was supple and capable of absorbing bumps and ruts, providing a smooth ride even on rough pavement. The GLE's sophisticated steering made it maneuverable and easy to place on the road, with the AMG models offering quicker reflexes and more heft at the helm.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 provided up to 45.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 20.2 cubic feet with the rear seats in use. These figures were average for the subcompact SUV segment. The Turbo Premium Plus model had a power rear liftgate, which was helpful. The front seats featured a sliding center console cover, which could get stuck under the seat when the rear seats were folded. The center console provided plenty of space for personal items, and the front doors had deep pockets for large water bottles. Rear seats offered solid headroom for short-to-medium trips but lacked the rear-seat headroom of the larger CX-5.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided ample space for adults in both the first and second rows. The GLE 450e's light beige upholstery contributed to a light and airy cabin feel, with excellent outward visibility. The GLE offered 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 40/20/40 split-folding second row, comparable to the BMW X5 but less than the Cadillac XT6 and Volvo XC90. The optional third-row seat was limited to the GLE 350 and GLE 450 and was suitable only for young children.

The GLE 450e came with power-adjustable heated front seats with memory function, dual-zone climate control, a power tilt/sliding sunroof, MX-Tex faux leather upholstery, and a power liftgate. The Exclusive trim added a Burmester surround-sound audio system, ventilated front seats, online music streaming, and augmented reality navigation. The Pinnacle trim added massaging front seats, rapid heating front seats, a head-up display, heated and cooled front cupholders, LED intelligent lighting, star pattern logo projectors, and Mercedes' Air Balance cabin-air fragrance and purification system. Additional options included a panoramic power tilt and sliding sunroof, illuminated running boards, soft-close doors, and heated rear seats.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 featured an elegant dash design with an infotainment screen nestled into the dash. The screen had no touch functionality and was controlled by a rotary dial/joystick in the center console and toggle buttons. This setup was inspired by luxury-car infotainment systems like BMW's iDrive but lacked usability. Navigating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the rotary dial was frustrating, and switching between presets was cumbersome.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a pair of 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main infotainment screen. The system could be controlled via touch commands, a control pad on the center console, or touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an improved "Hey Mercedes" voice command system. The head-up display and augmented reality navigation were praised for their clarity and convenience. However, the touch-sensitive control on the steering wheel could inadvertently increase the music volume while maneuvering.

The 2022 Mazda CX-30 came with standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. The Turbo Premium Plus model added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition, front-and-rear parking sensors, and reverse automatic emergency braking. The adaptive front headlights and 360-degree parking camera were helpful features. The CX-30 earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, hands-free park assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package added active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. These features were unobtrusive during everyday driving and provided an extra layer of safety.