2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was a showcase of "modernist" and "reductive" design, emphasizing clean lines and a minimalist approach. However, this subtlety might not have appealed to those seeking attention-grabbing luxury SUVs. The Range Rover Sport offered limited flashy options from the factory, such as the Firenze Red paint and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. Speculations suggested a performance-tuned SVR variant would eventually join the lineup, featuring a loud twin-turbocharged V8, vibrant paint colors, and noticeable exterior details. The Range Rover Sport we tested came in a subdued Eiger Gray paint with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, which lent it an understated yet elegant appearance. The Deep Garnet over Ebony theme in the interior, paired with aluminum and shiny black trim, exuded a quiet sophistication. Inside, luxurious Windsor leather upholstery and sustainable Ultrafabrics highlighted the sophisticated and eco-conscious design. Overall, the focus on premium materials and high-tech finishes created a refined, high-end feel. Conversely, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class underwent a subtle exterior makeover that could easily go unnoticed. The grille featured Mercedes star logos and slightly updated headlights and taillights, with LED headlights standard and multi-beam LED headlights optional. Our GLE 450e test vehicle, finished in attractive Twilight Blue metallic paint and riding on sleek 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, struck a balance between sophistication and sportiness. The addition of Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery with natural grain brown walnut trim in the interior added a touch of class and luxury, while the 10 interior color choices and five trim options, including brushed aluminum and various wood finishes, showcased Mercedes’ commitment to customization and style.

Performance in the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was split between refinement and off-road capability. Land Rover aimed to deliver a vehicle that excelled in comfort, while also being enjoyable on winding roads, a challenging balance due to the conflicting engineering requirements. The Range Rover Sport featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine in the SE and SE Dynamic models, with mild-hybrid technology. The SE Dynamic model produced 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, while the SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the Autobiography P440e included a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain, producing 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, with an electric range of 51 miles. Land Rover previously offered a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 in selected 2023 Range Rover Sport models, but this was limited to early builds. A fully electric version was anticipated in 2024. The 395-hp inline-six in our test vehicle provided impressive acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Range Rover Sport could tow up to 7,716 pounds and offered combined fuel economy of 21 mpg, with actual testing showing an average of 22.3 mpg. The sophisticated air suspension system improved ride comfort and handling, while off-road capabilities were maximized with features like Terrain Response, All Terrain Progress Control, hill start and descent controls, and an impressive 35.4-inch wading depth. However, on twisting roads, the Range Rover Sport lagged behind sport-tuned competitors, feeling tall and heavy with noticeable roll in tight curves. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, by contrast, offered diverse powertrain options, ranging from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower in the AMG GLE 63 S. The 381-hp GLE 450e, featuring a turbocharged engine combined with an electric motor, delivered 479 lb-ft of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Acceleration to 60 mph took 5.4 seconds, comparable to the Range Rover Sport. The GLE 450e's electric mode could operate at up to 87 mph and covered an estimated 40-mile range on electric power alone. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, although the regenerative brakes felt slightly numb. The GLE 450e’s suspension absorbed road imperfections effortlessly, providing a quiet and refined ride. Despite its size, the GLE-Class was maneuverable, with sophisticated steering that made it easy to handle. The AMG models offered even more responsive handling, but the GLE 450e struck a balanced performance with its blend of acceleration, handling, and fuel efficiency.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained its traditional Range Rover Command Driving Position, characterized by a tall and airy cabin, a low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could lower for easier entry and exit. Front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and available massage functions. However, the rear seat was less accommodating, with limited legroom, hard front seatback panels, narrow door openings, and a slouched seating posture even in the most upright position. Cabin storage was respectable, though some compartments were not particularly practical. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the back seat folded down. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class boasted ample space for adults in both the first and second rows. Our GLE 450e’s light beige upholstery contributed to a spacious and airy feel, and outward visibility was excellent. Cargo capacity stood at 33 cubic feet behind the second row, in line with competitors like the BMW X5, and expanded further with the seats folded. The optional third-row seat, available on the GLE 350 and GLE 450, was only suitable for young children due to its small size. Standard comfort features in the GLE 450e included power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and MX-Tex faux leather upholstery. Optional upgrades such as massaging front seats, heated and cooled cupholders, soft-close doors, and a fragrance and air purification system enhanced the luxurious experience. Overall, the GLE-Class cabin was exceptionally well-designed, catering to comfort and usability.

In the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, technology was a mixed bag. Every Range Rover Sport included a 13.7-inch digital instrument display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Pivi Pro infotainment system, though feature-rich, proved frustrating and confusing, with many functions difficult to locate or understand. The native digital assistant struggled with simple commands, which limited its usefulness. In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens for the instrument panel and main infotainment display. The system could be controlled via touch, a center console control pad, or steering wheel touch-sensitive buttons. 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 received high marks for clarity and convenience, though the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls could be accidentally triggered.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system with ClearSight Ground View. However, adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less responsive and required driver intervention in challenging scenarios. In comparison, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offered a comprehensive array of standard safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, hands-free park assist, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package added active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. These features were effective and unobtrusive during everyday driving, enhancing overall safety without causing unnecessary interruptions.