2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer resembled a smaller version of the Chevrolet Blazer midsize crossover, which was a positive attribute. It balanced SUV toughness without appearing exaggerated, and details like intricate headlight and taillight elements, along with dark chrome trim, gave it a more upscale look than many vehicles in its price range. The Activ and RS models had unique styling elements, with the Activ featuring a rugged look and the RS adopting a sportier appearance. The contrasting roofs in red, black, or white added a distinctive and retro touch, especially with the Nitro Yellow paint on the Activ model.

Inside, the Trailblazer Activ test car had a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The mix of copper-toned and sparkly black plastic trim with gray seat inserts added personality to the otherwise black interior. Design touches like grab handles around the center console and the creased look of the dashboard and air vents made the cabin distinctive, even if it didn’t scream “outdoor adventure.”

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE had subtle aesthetic changes that made a significant impact. The headlights and taillights were sharper, and black fender flares over the wheel arches added a touch of ruggedness. The grille featured chrome inserts, and the optional AMG Line package on the tester added sportiness with a distinct grille and 19-inch standard wheels, with optional 21-inch wheels available. The GLE coupe, available only in the sporty Mercedes-AMG guise, offered similar features with reduced interior space.

Inside, the GLE’s cabin was luxurious, with plenty of leather and soft-touch surfaces. The available open-pore walnut trim was beautiful, though it paired with Bahia Brown seating surfaces, giving the cabin a dated look. Choosing a lighter color leather could remedy this design issue. The cabin wasn’t as futuristic as the newer all-electric EQ cars, but it still exuded the high-quality feel expected from Mercedes-Benz.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer shared its platform and powertrains with the Buick Encore GX. It came standard with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. An optional 1.3-liter turbo-three increased output to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque. The 1.2-liter engine was available only with front-wheel drive (FWD), while the 1.3-liter engine could be had with either FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). FWD models had a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models had a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The Trailblazer Activ test car had AWD, the nine-speed automatic, and the 1.3-liter engine. The throttle response was better in the Trailblazer compared to the Buick Encore GX, providing a decent amount of power and a pleasing exhaust note. However, the nine-speed automatic had some rough shifts. The Activ model’s dampers, tuned for better performance on gravel roads, worked well on pavement, though there was some body roll and uncomfortable bouncing over certain road imperfections. The selectable AWD system required manual engagement, unlike most competitors that did this automatically. The Trailblazer also had Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes, though Sport mode didn’t make a noticeable difference.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered several powertrain options, including the entry-level GLE 350 with 255 horsepower, the mid-line GLE 450 with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the top-tier 4.0-liter V8 in the GLE 580. All were mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The test vehicle was the new 450e, a plug-in hybrid with a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine producing 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. Despite the extra weight of its 23.3-kWh battery, the 450e was only about a half-second slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450.

The 450e could store enough energy to go 48 miles on all-electric power, though the gauge read 55 miles after charging. It defaulted to all-electric mode on startup, with easy switching to Hybrid or Battery Hold mode. The switch to the gas engine was smooth and seamless. The car had a Sport mode, but it didn’t significantly enhance driving dynamics. The plug-in hybrid felt comfortable but not sporty, with light steering and body roll. The 450e had an 11-kW onboard charger, charging to 100 percent in under three hours on a Level 2 home charger, and could accept a 60-kW DC fast charge for road trips.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer, despite being one of the smallest SUVs, was still substantial. It was 3.4 inches wider and about an inch taller than the original 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer four-door. The Trailblazer’s wheelbase was about three inches longer, benefiting passenger space. It offered decent utility compared to rivals, matching the Kia Seltos on front and rear headroom. Legroom was mid-pack, but it beat the Hyundai Kona and Buick Encore GX in rear legroom. The rear seats were comfortable for normal use, though flat cushions made long road trips less appealing.

The Trailblazer had 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats in place and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, respectable for the segment but behind the Kia Seltos. It offered more rear legroom than the Honda HR-V but slightly less cargo space. The Trailblazer’s cargo capacity was limited for a weekend’s worth of luggage for three people, and it had a towing capacity of only 1,000 pounds. Up front, designers maximized space with a covered storage bin, a deep tray, cupholders, and a phone storage tray. However, a small carve-out above the dashboard seemed impractical.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in interior luxuries. Heated front seats were standard, with optional ventilation and massage functions. Heated and cooled cup holders, customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors added to the comfort. The cabin remained quiet on noisy highways, and the Burmester stereo system provided a relaxing ride. However, the sun visors did not extend, a surprising omission in a luxury SUV.

The GLE could tow 7,700 pounds and featured Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology for easier trailer maneuvering. It offered 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded. Non-PHEV models had slightly more cargo space.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional features included an 8-inch touchscreen, a 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen, navigation, a Bose audio system, rear-seat USB ports, and wireless phone charging. Despite these options, the Trailblazer’s tech might not satisfy the most tech-savvy buyers, as the optional touchscreen was still relatively small, and a fully digital instrument cluster wasn’t available.

The 8-inch touchscreen was well-sized for the dashboard, with large, easy-to-read graphics and logical menus. The combination of a smaller instrument cluster screen and analog gauges effectively conveyed information. Smart touches like a person-shaped icon for the pedestrian-detection system and an indicator for the engine start/stop system aided comprehension.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12.3-inch digital customizable gauge cluster and the latest MBUX infotainment system. While it didn’t have the giant touchscreen available on other Mercedes models, it had a 12.3-inch screen. The menu structure was easy to learn, and a touchpad on the center console provided an alternative to touching the screen. Voice commands with “Hey, Mercedes” and smaller touchpads on the steering wheel offered additional control options, though the latter could be finicky.

The available augmented reality navigation system overlaid numerical addresses and animated turn arrows on a video feed, aiding navigation. The off-road page in the MBUX system provided information like altitude, latitude, longitude, heading, steering angle, and tire temperature and pressure. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, but the tester had issues with frequent disengagements. USB-C ports delivering up to 100W of power kept devices charged.

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer had standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a Teen Driver system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Trailblazer was named a 2022 Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, receiving top “Good” scores in all crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE had advanced driver’s aids, with standard blind-spot monitoring. The Driver Assistance Package Plus added active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist, though it added nearly $2,000 to the price. The GLE earned a five-star rating for a side crash and four stars for a rollover from the NHTSA. The IIHS gave it top “Good” scores in crashworthiness, crash avoidance and mitigation, and seat belts and child restraints. Cars with the Digital Light package earned an “Acceptable” headlight rating.