2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe had a design that was either becoming more accepted or simply less offensive. Its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork gave it a decent appearance, though it often reminded viewers of an athletic sneaker from certain angles. Mercedes had discontinued many of its V8 models for 2022, including the AMG GLE 63 S Coupe, which had boasted 603 horsepower from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8. The remaining AMG GLE 53 Coupe started at $77,800, excluding a $1,050 destination charge, and our test vehicle, loaded with options, exceeded $100,000.

Inside, the AMG GLE 53 Coupe was luxurious, featuring high-end materials and a modern dual-screen setup for instrumentation and infotainment. The test vehicle included Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner and steering wheel, and brushed aluminum trim. Ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night. However, the interior's complexity was masked by a facade of simplicity, making it initially challenging for newcomers to navigate the vehicle's technology. Over time, users could acclimate and operate the AMG GLE 53 Coupe with minimal distraction.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander had a modern, somewhat aggressive front-end design. Its flared fender arches and the upward kick of the third-row window made the spacious Highlander appear smaller. Inside, it offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions for items like iPads and juice boxes. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, contrasting with a sedate navy blue exterior. This trim also featured unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and a sport-tuned suspension.

The Highlander came in several trims: L, LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. The base L trim included 18-inch alloy wheels, pushbutton start, proximity/remote keyless entry, three-zone climate control, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Higher trims added features like LED fog lights, a smart key system, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, power liftgate, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, power moonroof, wireless device charging, and more. The Limited and Platinum trims offered even more luxury and tech features, including a hands-free power liftgate, JBL premium audio system, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe was equipped with 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. It 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 AMG GLE 53 Coupe also had 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, and the AMG sport exhaust system enhanced the engine's sound.

In urban settings, the GLE Coupe's speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering made low-speed maneuvers easy, and the turning radius was tighter than expected. However, the optional AMG Performance braking system made smooth stops challenging. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension handled speed humps well but was less forgiving on rougher roads. Overall, the GLE Coupe felt nimble and composed in various driving conditions, with a reserve of performance available when desired. In Sport+ mode, the SUV excelled on winding roads, showcasing its AWD powertrain and performance-oriented tires. However, its size and weight were noticeable drawbacks on such roads, and the loud exhaust note in Sport+ mode could be intrusive.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or available all-wheel drive (AWD). The transmission featured a tap-shift function and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters on certain trims. The drive-mode button offered Sport, Normal, and Eco modes, while the AWD system had Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes. The V6 engine provided better pickup once the Highlander was moving, with ample power for highway overtakes and a surprisingly throaty exhaust note.

The Highlander's handling was commendable in various scenarios, with the XSE trim's sport-tuned suspension reducing body roll while remaining comfortable over bumps. The steering was well-weighted, and the vehicle felt composed through higher-speed turns. When properly equipped, the Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds, with a max payload of 1,685 pounds in the FWD L and LE trims.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe technically seated up to 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 limited, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the cargo hold offered 27.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Additional comfort features included heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a four-zone automatic climate control system, and an in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander provided up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row seats in use, there were 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space, and with all seats deployed, 16 cubic feet behind the third row. Lowering and raising the seats was easy, thanks to quick-release latches and pull-straps. Every trim above the base L came with a power liftgate, with Limited and Platinum trims offering a hands-free power liftgate. The base L trim featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and the front doors had deep cargo pockets. The center dash and console provided ample storage space, and even the third row had cupholders. The XSE trim's second-row captain’s chairs offered a center aisle to the third row, making it easier to access and providing additional space between second-row occupants.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came standard 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, Mercedes Me connected services, wireless smartphone charging, and a Burmester surround-sound audio system. MBUX was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition technology that responded to "Hey Mercedes" commands. However, the touchpad on the center console was easy to activate inadvertently. Optional features included an MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture recognition, augmented video for navigation, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The infotainment system had a straightforward layout with hard buttons on either side of the screen. The XSE trim featured a wireless charging pad and a combination of USB and USB-C ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen was available, along with a digital instrument panel screen and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had Pre Safe Sound, which emitted a "pink noise" tone before a collision to protect hearing. The Emergency Call Service was free and available for the vehicle's lifetime. The optional Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional safety systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, Active Lane Change Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. The lane-keeping assistance technology was highly effective, and the route-based speed adaption function for adaptive cruise control could be turned off if desired. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a surround-view parking monitor, a head-up display, and adaptive headlights. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were very active, sometimes overly so, especially on certain highways and back roads.