2023 Honda CR-V vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2023 Honda CR-V, with its blunt nose, long hood, and stretched wheelbase, adopted a cleaner and slightly meaner look compared to its predecessor. While it didn't display as much personality as the fifth-generation model, its more conservative styling was expected to age well. Both the CR-V EX and EX-L featured 18-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear privacy glass, making them look identical from the outside. Inside, the EX-L version offered leather-wrapped seats, steering wheel, and shift knob, upgrading from the cloth upholstery standard in the EX. The dashboard, modeled after the latest Civic, featured metal mesh trim that incorporated the air vents, creating a line of demarcation between the upper and lower portions.

The interior of the CR-V exuded quality and simplicity, with both trim levels featuring a digital instrumentation display. The EX-L trim offered a larger touchscreen infotainment system with added features, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power rear liftgate. Additionally, the EX-L included front and rear parking sensors. Prices for the CR-V started at $31,110 for the EX with front-wheel drive and rose to $35,260 for the EX-L with all-wheel drive, plus a $1,245 destination charge. The EX-L AWD test vehicle, with extra-cost Radiant Red Metallic paint over Gray leather seats, had an MSRP of $36,900.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received an exterior makeover that was subtle enough to go mostly unnoticed. Up close, the Mercedes star logos filling out the front grille were a clever new detail. Changes to the headlights and taillights were more noticeable when compared back-to-back with the outgoing version. Standard LED headlights and optional multi-beam LED headlights were available. The GLE 450e test vehicle, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and riding on 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, looked particularly handsome. These wheels, though slightly pricey at $1,100, filled out the GLE’s wheel wells nicely. Mercedes offered a choice of 19- and 20-inch alloys as standard, with seven wheel designs and ten exterior colors in total.

The interior of the GLE 450e tester exuded class and luxury, featuring Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery with natural grain brown walnut trim. These added $1,620 and $160, respectively, to the sticker price, but were considered money well spent. Mercedes offered ten interior color choices and five trims, including brushed aluminum, black piano lacquer, gray oak, and brown linden wood. The GLE’s cabin was one of the highest quality and most robust-looking in its segment.

The 2023 Honda CR-V EX and EX-L were powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, carried over from the previous generation. This engine generated 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 179 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. Unfortunately, the engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which was known for its droning noise during hard acceleration. Despite this, the CR-V was an exceptionally well-executed and dynamically satisfying vehicle to drive, with Honda honing the suspension, steering, and brakes to near perfection. The CR-V handled speed bumps, broken pavement, and mountain curves with ease, though the CVT’s noise could detract from the overall driving experience. The CR-V achieved impressive fuel economy, with the EPA rating it at 29 mpg in combined driving, and our test vehicle averaging 29.1 mpg on a mountainous route.

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, with two additional AMG models, the 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 offered an estimated electric-only driving 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 and ruts effortlessly, and its sophisticated steering made it feel maneuverable despite its size.

The 2023 Honda CR-V was claimed to be the roomiest yet, though the standard 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat felt relatively low, giving it a car-like feel. Outward visibility was excellent, and the redesigned seats were comfortable. The second row felt more spacious, with a high seating position, ample thigh support, and rear legroom. Taller passengers might find headroom in short supply, but adjustable seatback recline positions helped resolve this. The EX-L trim included rear air conditioning vents, though a USB charging port was an extra-cost accessory. The CR-V offered plenty of storage options, including a large bin under the center armrest, door armrest trays, door panel storage bins, and a tray forward of the shifter. The cargo area, accessed via a power liftgate, provided 39.3 cubic feet of space, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered 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 provided 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 40/20/40 split-folding second row. While the GLE could technically seat up to seven with an optional third row, this was limited to the GLE 350 and GLE 450, and was suitable only for young children. The GLE 450e came with power-adjustable heated front seats with memory function, dual-zone climate control, a power tilt/sliding sunroof, MX-Tex faux leather upholstery, and a power liftgate. Additional features included a Burmester surround-sound audio system, ventilated front seats, augmented reality navigation, massaging front seats, a head-up display, heated and cooled front cupholders, and more.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the EX trim, with large stereo volume and tuning knobs, clearly marked main function buttons, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX-L trim added a larger 9-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system. However, to get a Bose premium sound system, HondaLink subscription services, and a navigation system with real-time traffic, one had to opt for the top-of-the-line CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid. The EX-L’s larger display lacked a tuning knob, replaced by less user-friendly tuning buttons. While the new infotainment systems were a significant improvement, they didn’t exceed competitors in a meaningful way.

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 when maneuvering. Overall, the GLE’s technology was feature-rich, though it required a learning curve to master.

The 2023 Honda CR-V featured an improved suite of driver assist systems under the Honda Sensing umbrella, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, seatbelt reminder system, rear-seat reminder system, driver monitoring system, and traffic sign recognition system. New camera and radar units contributed to more accurate and refined operation, with the addition of Traffic Jam Assist. However, the lane-centering assist could be uncertain in certain situations, and its artificiality detracted from the CR-V’s otherwise excellent steering. The CR-V was built to Honda’s latest Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure standards, with new front airbag designs to reduce injury potential. The CR-V was expected to excel in crash protection, though it awaited re-testing by NHTSA and IIHS.

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 provided an extra layer of safety without over-reacting to common driving situations.