2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe presented a design that was neither offensive nor groundbreaking, with its Selenite Gray paint and 22-inch forged aluminum wheels giving it a sporty yet sophisticated appearance. The SUV's styling, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker, was complemented by polished brightwork, making it visually appealing. Inside, the AMG GLE 53 Coupe offered a luxurious experience with high-end materials, including Nappa premium leather and a Dinamica simulated suede headliner. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design added a high-tech touch, while ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night. However, the lack of traditional controls posed a challenge for newcomers, requiring time to acclimate to the vehicle's technology.

In contrast, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded class and elegance, with a design that announced wealth and taste. Its exterior, inspired by the larger Range Rover, featured a sporty yet proportionate look with a long wheelbase, short overhangs, and a trapezoidal roof. The Velar's design was both blocky and streamlined, with special details like taillight lenses that created an illusion of depth. The R-Dynamic trim added bronze accents and a more aggressive front bumper, while the optional Black Exterior Pack and 20-inch black wheels enhanced its visual appeal. Inside, the Velar's cabin was slick and high-quality, with a polished black center stack and attractive white contrast stitching. Despite being a base trim, the materials and fit and finish were exemplary, though the interior was less opulent compared to heavily-optioned models.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system called EQ Boost, provided robust acceleration and helped conserve fuel. The GLE Coupe featured a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system, offering fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system provided multiple driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Off-road, while the AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes maximized performance. The GLE Coupe's speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering made urban driving easy, though the optional AMG Performance braking system was challenging to modulate. The SUV felt nimble and composed in various driving conditions, with Sport+ mode unleashing its full performance potential.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in improved handling and steering compared to previous Land Rover models. The Velar's lower center of gravity and lighter weight enhanced cornering and braking, while the optional air suspension with adaptive dampers provided a plush ride. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Velar's performance was average, with the eight-speed automatic favoring fuel efficiency over excitement. The optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune, offered more power and was paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This powertrain delivered high performance while reducing emissions, though the Velar's off-road capabilities were limited compared to larger Range Rover models.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe offered seating for up to five people, though it was more comfortable for four adults. The sport-bolstered, multi-contour front seats provided comfort and support, with numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Forward visibility was adequate, but rear visibility was challenging, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat offered ample legroom, and the cargo hold provided 27.5 cubic feet of space, expandable to 63.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Comfort upgrades included heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, a four-zone automatic climate control system, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was tighter than midsize SUVs, with limited headroom and visibility due to thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was modest, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design sacrifices practicality for style, and its lack of a discrete parking brake control was a significant oversight. The new Pivi Pro infotainment system improved usability, and the steering wheel lost touch-sensitive controls that were problematic in earlier models. However, the Velar's redesign of critical controls for cost-cutting purposes was frustrating.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. The Burmester surround-sound audio system and natural voice recognition technology enhanced the user experience. Optional features included an MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture recognition, augmented video for navigation, a head-up display, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system simplified the layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. The system offered a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield. The navigation system could identify frequent routes and suggest detours, while the 4x4 app provided off-road measurements. The instrument panel offered customizable layouts, though the driving assist display was less detailed than competitors. Standard features included LED headlights, automatic high beams, 14-way power heated front seats, and a 12-speaker Meridian stereo.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, 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 Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional systems, including Traffic Jam Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. The GLE Coupe's safety systems were refined and accurate, though crash-test results were unavailable.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar scored well in the European New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), though U.S. crash-test ratings were unavailable. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Optional features included 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control with steering assist.