2022 Subaru Ascent vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 Subaru Ascent, particularly in its new Onyx Edition trim, embraced the trend of blacking out exterior trim, giving it a sporty appearance. This trim level featured blacked-out exterior trim and badges, black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim. The seats were wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, which, while practical, had a tendency to trap sweat. The interior was a gray two-tone scheme with light gray stitching, complemented by metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels. The Ascent Onyx Edition was priced at $37,995, with an additional $2,000 for an option package that included a panoramic moonroof, a navigation system, and a cargo cover.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, with its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork, had a more luxurious and athletic look. The interior was sumptuous, featuring high-end materials like Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner and steering wheel, and brushed aluminum trim. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design added a high-tech appearance, and ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night. The GLE Coupe's design masked its complexity, but with time, drivers could acclimate to its advanced technology.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) as standard. The Ascent's fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, though our testing loop averaged 20.5 mpg. The engine's flat-four layout contributed to a lower center of gravity, improving handling. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and featured Subaru’s X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. However, the lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could feel unstable, making the Ascent more enjoyable to drive without them.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe boasted a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, enhanced by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system called EQ Boost. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 19 mpg combined, with our test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg. The GLE 53 Coupe featured a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system with fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, and the AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes maximized performance. In urban settings, the GLE Coupe's speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering and tight turning radius made it nimble, though the AMG Performance braking system could be difficult to modulate. On winding roads, the GLE Coupe's performance bits shone, providing a thrilling driving experience.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent Onyx Edition featured water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second-row seat was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened nearly 90 degrees. The Ascent offered plenty of storage, including a useful shelf running the width of the dashboard. Cargo capacity was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe technically held up to five people, though it was more comfortable for four. The front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage, while the back seat provided ample room for adult legs and feet. The cargo hold was 27.5 cubic feet, expanding to 63.2 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded down. Comfort upgrades included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a Warmth and Comfort Package, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and a CD player. Premium trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features for the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens, including a digital instrument cluster and touchscreen. Standard features included a navigation system, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Mercedes Me connected services, wireless smartphone charging, and a Burmester surround-sound audio system. MBUX was easy to use, with natural voice recognition technology and multiple interaction methods. Optional features included an MBUX Interior Assistant, 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 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and five-star crash-test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering technology. However, EyeSight's performance could be affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist and a blind-spot monitoring system available from Premium trim.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe came with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and a blind-spot monitoring system. 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, Active Lane Change Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. The lane-keeping assistance technology was finely tuned, and the adaptive cruise control's route-based speed adaption function could be turned off. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.