2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Ford Escape

The 2023 Ford Escape presented a departure from its earlier generations, embracing a more European design language that contrasted with the rugged, boxy aesthetic that had become popular in modern crossovers. The refresh in 2023 replaced the previous grille with a more traditional front end, featuring the Ford blue oval logo and a stylish LED light bar. The ST-Line Elite trim, which was tested, showcased 19-inch wheels and body-color mirror caps, giving it an upscale appearance akin to a Mazda CX-5. Inside, the Escape's diamond-stitched leather upholstery looked appealing but felt hard and plasticky, though the seats were comfortable and well-padded. Despite the abundance of plastic materials, the interior was expected to withstand years of use.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE exhibited subtle aesthetic changes, with sharper headlights and taillights, black fender flares, and chrome inserts in the grille. The optional AMG Line package added a sporty touch to the exterior. The GLE coupe, available in the Mercedes-AMG guise, offered a sleek design with reduced interior space. Inside, the GLE maintained a classic Mercedes-Benz feel, with leather and soft-touch surfaces, though it lacked the futuristic vibe of the brand's electric models. The open-pore walnut trim was visually striking, but the Bahia Brown seating surfaces gave the cabin a dated appearance. Opting for lighter leather could remedy this design choice.

The 2023 Ford Escape offered a range of powertrain options, including a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine could be configured with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The ST-Line Select, Platinum, and ST-Line Elite trims featured a more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, exclusively with all-wheel drive. Despite the impressive output, the Escape was not a performance crossover, with a soft suspension and no paddle shifters for manual gear changes. The brakes provided predictable stopping power, and the steering was well-weighted, avoiding the twitchiness seen in some competitors.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered several engine options, including the GLE 350 with 255 horsepower, the GLE 450 with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the GLE 580 with a 4.0-liter V8. The test vehicle, the 450e, featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. Despite its power, the 450e was slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450 due to the weight of its 23.3-kWh battery. The battery allowed for an all-electric range of up to 55 miles. The GLE's Sport mode did not significantly enhance driving dynamics, and the plug-in hybrid felt more suited for comfortable commutes than sporty driving. The 450e included an 11-kW onboard charger and could accept a 60-kW DC fast charge for quick recharging.

The 2023 Ford Escape provided a comfortable driving experience with supportive seats and excellent ergonomics. The steering wheel felt good to hold, and the armrests were well-positioned. The head-up display was easy to adjust for different drivers. However, the Escape fell short in cargo space, offering 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded, trailing behind competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Rear-seat legroom was slightly less than rivals, but headroom was impressive, and the front-seat backs were designed to maximize space for rear passengers.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in interior luxuries, with standard heated front seats and 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 Burmester stereo system provided a high-quality audio experience. However, the sun visors did not extend, which was a minor inconvenience. The GLE could tow up to 7,700 pounds and featured Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology. Cargo space was ample, with 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Ford Escape featured the Sync 4 infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 13.2-inch screen on higher trims like the ST-Line Elite. The larger screen enhanced the cabin's look and offered a well-organized interface with tiles for navigation, music, and Bluetooth pairing. The system was easy to navigate, though it was occasionally slow to respond. The volume knob's placement was inconvenient, but overall, Sync 4 provided an impressive feature set.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the MBUX infotainment system. While the screen was smaller than those in some other Mercedes models, the menu structure was user-friendly. The system could be controlled via a touchpad on the center console or voice commands. The augmented reality navigation system was a standout feature, providing helpful overlays on the screen. The GLE also included an off-road page with detailed information. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though connectivity issues were noted with the iPhone. Multiple USB-C ports ensured devices stayed charged.

The 2023 Ford Escape received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top scores in frontal and side crash tests. However, it did not earn a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS due to a Marginal score in the updated side-impact test. The Escape came standard with Ford's Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The optional Co-Pilot360 2.0 added features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of advanced driver aids, with blind-spot monitoring as standard. The optional Driver Assistance Package Plus included active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist. The GLE had not received an overall crash rating from the NHTSA but earned five stars for side crashes and four stars for rollovers. The IIHS awarded the GLE top scores in crashworthiness and crash avoidance, with an "Acceptable" headlight rating for models with the Digital Light package.