2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured an exterior design that combined subtle curves with angular accents, creating a look that was both classy and sporty. It was available in two body styles: the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which had a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. Despite the general dislike for "coupelike" styling, the Q5 Sportback was an exception, thanks to a spoiler-like element above the taillights that provided a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 had a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show since its last redesign was five years ago. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen atop the dash was a notable feature, but the materials quality, while good, no longer felt as special as it once did.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover that was hard to notice at first glance. The front grille featured clever Mercedes star logos, and changes to the headlights and taillights were more apparent when compared side-by-side with the outgoing model. Standard LED headlights and optional multi-beam LED headlights were available. The GLE 450e test vehicle was finished in Twilight Blue metallic and rode on 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, which added to its handsome appearance. The interior of the GLE 450e exuded class and luxury, with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery and natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide range of interior color choices and trims, making the GLE's cabin one of the highest quality and most robust-looking in its segment.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and was the only engine available for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain (PHEV) that made 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine had a noticeable delay in power delivery, likely due to the slow-to-react transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, power was adequate. Handling was sporty, with precise steering that instilled confidence on curvy roads. The Q5 struck a good balance between compliance and cornering, with well-managed bumps and a quiet cabin.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, starting at approximately $63,805. The lineup included the GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 450e, and GLE 580, along with AMG-badged models AMG GLE 53 and AMG GLE 63 S. Engines ranged from turbocharged four- and six-cylinders to a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower in the AMG GLE 63 S. The GLE 450e, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motor, developed a combined output of 381 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque, sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450e accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and had an estimated electric-only range of 40 miles. The transition from gas to electric power was almost undetectable, and the transmission was seamless. The GLE 450e's suspension absorbed bumps effortlessly, and the cabin remained quiet even in hybrid mode. Despite its size, the GLE felt maneuverable and easy to place on the road.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since its 2018 redesign but had aged well. The infotainment touchscreen was placed atop the dash to reduce distraction, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. Outward visibility was good, aided by a narrowly profiled front roof pillar. The rear seats offered ample space for six-footers, with only a slight reduction in headroom in the Sportback model. Storage spaces were available but oddly sized, with a wireless phone charger on a sliding tray covering the cupholders. The Q5 offered up to 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided ample space for adults in both the first and second rows, with a light and airy cabin feel. Outward visibility was excellent, and the GLE offered 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 40/20/40 split-folding second row. The GLE's optional third-row seat was limited to the GLE 350 and GLE 450 and was suitable only for young children. Standard comfort features included power-adjustable heated front seats with memory function, dual-zone climate control, a power tilt/sliding sunroof, and a power liftgate. The GLE 450e test vehicle came with additional features from the Exclusive and Pinnacle trim levels, including a Burmester surround-sound audio system, ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, and a head-up display. Other options included a panoramic sunroof, illuminated running boards, soft-close doors, and heated rear seats.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and relatively quick responses, though it took a while to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims featured a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The on-screen buttons in Audi's native infotainment system were large and easy to read, but the app buttons in Apple CarPlay were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning available through Audi Connect Care, which required a subscription after a limited time. Mid-range trims included a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a pair of 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main infotainment screen. The system could be controlled via touch commands, a control pad on the center console, or touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an improved "Hey Mercedes" voice command system. The head-up display and augmented reality navigation were praised for their clarity and convenience. However, the touch-sensitive control on the steering wheel could inadvertently increase the music volume while maneuvering. Overall, the system was feature-rich but had a learning curve.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. The Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The top Prestige trim included matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader. Rear-seat side impact airbags were optional on all trims.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with a comprehensive lineup of active safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, hands-free park assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package, costing $1,950, added active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. These features were unobtrusive during everyday driving and did not over-react to sudden braking or imperfect lane markings.