2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz 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 dramatic. Despite its resemblance to an athletic sneaker from certain angles, the GLE 53 Coupe managed to maintain a sophisticated appearance. Inside, the vehicle was as luxurious as expected, 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.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport adopted a more rugged look, closely resembling the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. Sharing a platform with the Ridgeline, Odyssey minivan, and Pilot SUV, the Passport was essentially a shorter Pilot without a third-row seat. The new TrailSport trim aimed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, offering standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes. The TrailSport also featured unique 18-inch wheels, a purposeful roof rack, and simulated skid plates, giving it a more adventurous appearance. Inside, the Passport boasted a spacious and well-assembled interior with quality materials and thoughtful design touches like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 to 5,800 rpm. 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, but our test vehicle achieved 18.5 mpg. The GLE 53 Coupe also came with a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system with fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, Individual, and Off-road. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes further enhanced the vehicle's performance.

In comparison, the 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the Passport offered front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The EPA rated the Passport at 22 mpg in combined driving with FWD and 21 mpg with AWD. Our TrailSport test vehicle averaged 21.3 mpg. The Passport's i-VTM4 AWD system featured mechanical torque vectoring, capable of delivering up to 70 percent of the engine's power to a single rear wheel. While the Passport excelled on paved roads, its off-road capabilities were limited, with wheel articulation being a notable weakness. However, the Passport's firm, communicative ride and athletic handling made it a pleasure to drive on everyday roads.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe could technically seat five people, but it was more comfortable for four, especially if the rear passengers were adults. The front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, making them comfortable for long drives and supportive during spirited driving. Forward visibility was good, but rear visibility was challenging, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the cargo area offered 27.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. Additional comfort features included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a Warmth and Comfort Package, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2022 Honda Passport, with its large doors and low step-in height, was easy to enter and exit. The front seats were large and comfortable, with adjustable armrests and good thigh support. Leather upholstery and heated front seats were standard, while the Elite trim added ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The rear seats offered plenty of room and a slightly elevated seating position, with large side windows enhancing the sense of space. The Passport also provided ample storage, including a massive center console storage bin and various door panel shelves. The cargo area was generous, offering 41.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, which included 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 user-friendly, with natural voice recognition technology and multiple interaction methods. 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 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system met modern standards but was due for an upgrade. All trim levels included an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The system included shortcut buttons for the Home menu, a Back button, a screen brightness button, and a stereo volume and power knob. However, the navigation system was clunky, and Apple CarPlay was preferred for ease of use. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport lacked advanced technological features.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 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 Emergency Call Service was free for the vehicle's lifetime. The optional Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional safety systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. The GLE Coupe's safety systems were refined and accurate, with lane-keeping assistance being particularly effective. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Passport included the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and a seatbelt reminder system. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist functions were intrusive, and the adaptive cruise control was not smooth in heavy traffic. The blind-spot monitoring warning light was poorly positioned. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories but earned four stars for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings in most respects, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.