2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, added to the vehicle's sophisticated appeal. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its aerodynamic profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29. The interior boasted a high-tech appearance with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery, offering a luxurious and fragrant cabin experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured subtle aesthetic changes, with sharper headlights and taillights, black fender flares, and chrome grille inserts. The optional AMG Line package added a sporty touch to the exterior, while standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 21-inch options. The GLE coupe, available in the sporty Mercedes-AMG guise, offered a sleek design with reduced interior space. Inside, the GLE maintained a classic Mercedes-Benz look, though not as futuristic as the all-electric EQ models. The cabin featured leather and soft-touch surfaces, with the available open-pore walnut trim adding elegance. However, the Bahia Brown seating surfaces in the test vehicle created a dated appearance. Opting for lighter leather colors could remedy this design issue.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement, though it only partially succeeded. It offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 variant delivered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was standard in the Autobiography P440e, providing 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. A 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine was available for early-build 2023 models but was temporarily unavailable. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six enabled a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. It could tow 7,716 pounds and achieved an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, with real-world tests showing slightly better fuel economy. The new vehicle architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and the adaptive damping air suspension enhanced ride comfort and handling. However, the Range Rover Sport struggled to match the driving dynamics of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, feeling tall and heavy with less engaging steering. Off-road, it excelled with advanced suspension and technology, offering impressive ground clearance and wading depth.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, 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 GLE 580 with a 4.0-liter V8. The test vehicle featured the new 450e plug-in hybrid powertrain, delivering 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. Despite its power, the 450e was slightly slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450 due to the added weight of its 23.3-kWh battery. The battery provided an estimated 48 miles of electric range, with real-world tests showing up to 55 miles. The 450e defaulted to all-electric mode on startup, with options for Hybrid and Battery Hold modes. The transition from electric to gas power was seamless. While the GLE's Sport mode didn't significantly enhance driving dynamics, it offered a comfortable commute. The 450e featured an 11-kW onboard charger for quick charging and could accept a 60-kW DC fast charge for road trips.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats provided comfort with adjustable armrests, Windsor leather, and 20-way power adjustments. Rear seat space was less accommodating, with limited legroom and hard front seatback panels. The rear seat offered good support but had a reclined angle, and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The cargo area provided 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. A full-size spare tire limited underfloor storage, but Land Rover included features to secure smaller items.

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 enhanced comfort. The cabin remained quiet, and the Burmester stereo system provided excellent sound quality. However, the sun visors did not extend, which was a minor inconvenience. The GLE could tow 7,700 pounds and featured Trailer Maneuvering Assist for easier trailer handling. Cargo space measured 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and connected services. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in accessing features and understanding its functions. The native digital assistant struggled with voice commands, failing to provide accurate directions. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and Active Noise Cancellation, with a wireless smartphone charging pad under the infotainment screen.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a 12.3-inch screen. The menu structure was user-friendly, with a touchpad on the center console and voice commands available. The augmented reality navigation system provided helpful overlays for navigation. The MBUX system included an off-road page with detailed information, and a transparent hood feature displayed a video feed of the terrain. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, but connectivity issues with the iPhone were noted. The GLE offered multiple USB-C ports for device charging.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included advanced driving assistance systems such as 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, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist allowed the SUV to park itself using a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less responsive and smooth than expected, with challenges in maintaining lane centering on freeway curves.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered advanced driver aids, with blind-spot monitoring as standard. The optional Driver Assistance Package Plus added active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the package added nearly $2,000 to the price. The GLE received a five-star side crash rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the GLE top scores in crashworthiness and crash avoidance, with an "Acceptable" headlight rating for models with the Digital Light package.