2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Honda Pilot had undergone a comprehensive redesign that bestowed it with a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its revamped aesthetics featured an upright grille and boxier styling, rendering it visually larger—and it actually was bigger. It measured 3.4 inches longer nose-to-tail, up to 1.5 inches wider, and 0.8 inches taller than its predecessor. These changes were perfectly in sync with the Pilot’s new all-terrain-capable TrailSport model, which came with legitimate off-road parts such as a taller ride height by one inch, unique 18-inch wheels, chunky all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates capable of supporting the vehicle’s entire weight. Compared to prior TrailSport trims, which were more appearance-oriented, the new design had stepped up significantly.

Inside, the Pilot had adopted a more conventional style compared to its contemporaries. Though it may not have been as visually arresting as some other models, it remained attractive, functional, and versatile. The materials used met class expectations, which had been raised by strong competitors in recent years. Overall, this generation of the Honda Pilot opted for function over form without compromising on attraction.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class presented more subtle aesthetic changes. The headlights and taillights had been sharpened, and black fender flares were added over the wheel arches. Nifty chrome inserts adorned the grille. When equipped with the optional AMG Line package, the GLE displayed a sportier exterior with a distinct grille. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 21-inch wheels for those seeking a more commanding look.

Inside, the GLE’s cabin exuded the typical Mercedes-Benz luxury vibe with ample leather and soft-touch surfaces. It featured lavish options such as customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors. However, the interior design was not as futuristic as Mercedes’ newer EQ class. One could opt for open-pore walnut trim, which although luxurious, paired with Bahia Brown seating surfaces, yielded an oddly retro look reminiscent of a 1970s wood-paneled rec room. Selecting lighter-colored leather could quickly remedy this issue. Overall, the GLE’s cabin provided a plush and luxurious environment, albeit with a minor design misstep.

The 2023 Honda Pilot was powered by an all-new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, featuring front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) available across all trims—and standard on the Elite and TrailSport trims. The initial acceleration was responsive with minimal delay, making power delivery adequate if not overly impressive. Handling was decent for a three-row SUV; it instilled confidence when driven conservatively, although it was not designed to encourage sporty driving. The brake pedal was on the softer side but facilitated smooth stops, and the steering was feather-light, great for tight maneuvers but feeling somewhat vague on highways.

The off-road-capable TrailSport trim offered an additional inch of ground clearance and all-terrain tires, adding a subtle vibration on pavement but maintaining impressive off-road capabilities. Despite added off-road features, the Pilot retained its on-road comfort and composure, making it a reliable choice for both daily family use and occasional off-road adventures.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offered multiple powertrain options. The entry-level GLE 350 came with a 255-horsepower engine, the mid-line GLE 450 featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the top-tier GLE 580 housed a 4.0-liter V8. However, the GLE 450e plug-in hybrid emerged as a standout with its 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. Although the hybrid was about half a second slower to 60 mph compared to the GLE 450 due to the extra weight of its 23.3-kWh battery, it offered a smooth and seamless transition between electric and gas modes.

The hybrid allowed for up to 55 miles on electric power alone, and its 11-kW onboard charger could fully recharge on a Level 2 home charger in under three hours. Additionally, it was capable of accepting a 60-kW DC fast charge. While the GLE hybrid felt staid with light steering and noticeable body roll, it prioritized comfort over sporty driving dynamics. The plug-in hybrid offered impressive utility combined with superior efficiency, but for a sportier drive, alternatives like the BMW X5 xDrive50e were recommended.

The 2023 Honda Pilot’s interior featured a more conventional design, differing from other new Honda models with hidden vents behind a horizontal mesh dash trim. The dash shelf for the front passenger proved handy, albeit less impactful visually. Entry-level trims had a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The climate and drive mode controls were logically placed, enhancing usability. The center console offered ample storage with a large rubberized shelf, dual large cupholders, and a wide storage bin accommodating a full-sized tablet.

The Pilot’s real highlight was its stowable second-row center seat, easily removable to create a useful pass-through for third-row access. The second row boasted generous space for adults over six feet, but the third row was less accommodating with reduced thigh support. Behind the third row, the cargo space was 22.4 cubic feet, expandable to 60.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat, and reaching a maximum of 114.3 cubic feet. This offered around 30 percent more capacity than competitors like the Kia Telluride.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class excelled in interior luxury. It featured standard heated front seats, with options for ventilation and massage functions. Heated and cooled cupholders, customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors enhanced the deluxe experience, accompanied by a top-tier Burmester stereo system. However, the non-extending sun visors were a notable flaw in an otherwise luxurious cabin.

The GLE could tow up to 7,700 pounds and featured new Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology for easier and more precise trailer handling. Cargo space was 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded. Non-PHEV models offered slightly more cargo capacity.

For the tech-savvy, the 2023 Honda Pilot’s EX-L trim and above were recommended, offering a larger infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger with USB ports in every row. Higher trims included a multi-view camera system, a head-up display, and a digital instrument panel. The infotainment system featured quick responses, logical layout, and large on-screen buttons, favoring functionality over fashionable graphics. Additional features included Honda’s CabinTalk PA system, navigation, Bose premium audio, remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, and a Wi-Fi hotspot on higher trims.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class featured a 12.3-inch customizable digital gauge cluster and the latest MBUX infotainment system. However, it did not offer the larger touchscreen available in some other Mercedes models. The menu structure was user-friendly, and a touchpad on the center console provided an alternative control option. Voice commands could be initiated with “Hey, Mercedes,” complemented by touchpads on the steering wheel, though these could be finicky.

An augmented reality navigation system overlaid helpful information on the screen, and an off-road page in MBUX offered detailed data on altitude, heading, and tire conditions. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, our tester struggled with frequent disconnections. USB-C ports provided sufficient charging options.

The 2023 Honda Pilot’s crash test results from NHTSA were pending, yet Honda expected top scores. It received a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS. Standard Honda Sensing features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign reader, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors, with the TrailSport and Elite trims offering multi-view camera systems. Throughout testing, the Pilot’s safety features performed well without false alarms.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class came with numerous advanced driver aids, albeit with many available as part of optional packages. Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, while the Driver Assistance Package Plus added active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist for nearly $2,000 extra.

The GLE earned a five-star rating for side crashes and four-out-of-five stars for rollover from NHTSA. IIHS awarded it the highest score of “Good” in crashworthiness and crash avoidance, along with an “Acceptable” rating for headlights in models equipped with the Digital Light package.