2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe sported Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork, creating an overall balanced styling that was neither overly offensive nor overly exciting. Reminiscent of an athletic sneaker from certain angles, this SUV offered a contemporary, high-tech interior adorned with Nappa premium leather, Dinamica simulated suede, and brushed aluminum trim. The dual-screen infotainment system, ambient night lighting, and rich materials underscored its luxurious appeal, despite a steep learning curve for its features and controls.

Contrastingly, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed for a "modernist" and "reductive" design aesthetic. Our test vehicle featured subdued Eiger Gray paint, silver 23-inch wheels, and a Deep Garnet over Ebony interior theme with aluminum and shiny black trim. This design focus resulted in a clean, simple look that might not appeal to those desiring a flashier vehicle. Inside, the Windsor leather upholstery, aluminum accents, and impressive cabin technologies emphasized understated luxury. Innovative design elements such as slim LED headlights, deployable door handles, and superior aerodynamics highlighted the sophisticated yet unpretentious nature of this SUV.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe came equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 lb-ft of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,800 rpm, coupled with EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This SUV managed a combined fuel economy of 18.5 mpg against an EPA rating of 19 mpg. Its SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system offered various driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Off-road. The GLE-Class was nimble and composed in urban settings and responded well on twisty roads, particularly in Sport+ mode, despite its size and weight being noticeable detractors.

On the other hand, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport also featured a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, credited with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds in the SE Dynamic trim. Its eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive offered smooth city driving and remarkable highway quietness. Despite its impressive off-road capabilities and advanced technology like air suspension and Dynamic Response Pro, it fell short in dynamic driving compared to its competitors due to noticeable body roll and less engaging steering. The SUV still managed a combined fuel economy of 22.3 mpg, surpassing expectations.

While the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe formally seated five, its back seat suited only adults well due to limited space, making it ideal for four passengers. The front sport-bolstered, multi-contour seats offered numerous adjustments and comfort levels. Cargo capacity was respectable, with 27.5 cubic feet of space expanding to 63.2 cubic feet when rear seats were folded. Available luxury upgrades included a four-zone climate system and heated and massaging seats, reaffirming its affluent character.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport excelled with its Command Driving Position, providing excellent visibility and comfort, though rear seating remained tight despite increased legroom compared to previous models. Rear doors presented access challenges, particularly when dirty. The cargo area stood at 31.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53 cubic feet with them folded, slightly less than the Mercedes. Luxury features included 20-way adjustable front seats, a Cabin Air Purification system, and heated outboard rear seats. Notably, the full-size spare in the cargo area limited underfloor storage but offered practical extras like netted pockets and item securing strapping.

The GLE-Class featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with dual 12.3-inch displays integrating a digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen. Standard infotainment included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and Burmester surround sound. The MBUX system was user-friendly and supported by natural voice recognition technology, though the central touchpad could be inconveniently activated.

Conversely, the 2023 Range Rover Sport came with a 13.7-inch digital instrument display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback. Standard features comprised wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a suite of connected services, though some tech aspects, like the digital assistant and overall system usability, proved confusing and unreliable. Despite these shortcomings, the Meridian audio systems and Active Noise Cancellation were praise-worthy elements.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class was equipped with numerous standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring, along with innovative systems like Pre Safe Sound for hearing protection. An available Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional safety systems, including Traffic Jam Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. While there was no crash-test data specifically for the GLE Coupe, the standard GLE received top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Range Rover Sport also featured extensive advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and a robust surround-view camera system. Although the adaptive cruise control provided decent assistance, the steering assist technology often required manual override, undermining driver confidence.