2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, with its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork, presented a balanced aesthetic that was neither offensive nor overly striking. The SUV's design, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker from a front three-quarter perspective, was complemented by a high-tech, luxurious interior featuring dual-screen instrumentation, Nappa premium leather, and ambient lighting. However, the complexity of the controls required some acclimation for new users.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer King Ranch, with its Rapid Red paint, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhaust outlets, maintained a more traditional SUV appearance. The King Ranch trim featured exclusive Del Rio leather seating and King Ranch branding, but the interior exhibited a mix of high-quality and less impressive materials. The Explorer's design, with its long hood and floating roof effect, provided a robust and athletic look, though the third-row seat was best suited for children.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This setup offered robust acceleration and an EPA-rated 19 mpg in combined driving, though our test vehicle achieved 18.5 mpg. The GLE 53 Coupe featured a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission, AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD, and multiple driving modes, including Sport+ for high-performance driving. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and performance brakes provided a taut, nimble, and composed ride, though the SUV's size and weight were noticeable on challenging roads.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic and available in RWD or 4WD. The hybrid option, available on Limited and Platinum trims, combined a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, achieving up to 27 mpg in combined driving. The top-tier twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, standard on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, produced 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,600 lbs and 21 mpg in combined driving. Our King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg. The Explorer's ride was robust and capable off-road, with the King Ranch trim providing a comfortable and athletic driving experience.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe technically seated five, but four adults were more comfortable. The front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, while the back seat provided ample legroom. The cargo area measured 27.5 cubic feet, expanding to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Additional comfort features included heated rear seats, a four-zone climate control system, and an in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2022 Ford Explorer King Ranch offered comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five with a second-row bench seat. The King Ranch trim included triple-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, and massaging front seats. The third-row seat was best for children due to limited space. The Explorer's cargo area provided 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down. Practical storage within the cabin was limited, though the King Ranch trim included thoughtful features like built-in cupholders and a hands-free power liftgate.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came standard with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens, navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Burmester surround-sound audio system. The system was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition and multiple interaction methods. Optional features included gesture recognition, augmented video for navigation, a head-up display, and an upgraded Burmester 3D sound system.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system: an 8-inch touchscreen and a 10.1-inch portrait-style touchscreen. Our King Ranch test vehicle included FordPass Connect, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. However, the Sync 3 system's voice recognition was less effective than newer systems, and the larger touchscreen felt like an afterthought. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and Active Park Assist 2.0.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Pre Safe Sound. The optional Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional systems, including Traffic Jam Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. The GLE Coupe's safety systems operated with remarkable refinement and accuracy, though the route-based speed adaptation function could be irritating. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for 2022, but the previous year's model received five-star ratings except for rollover resistance. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The Explorer's safety systems operated smoothly and accurately, though the steering wheel sensitivity could be improved.