2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, rakish windshield, and a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels, showcasing the subtle seductiveness typical of Mazda's design language. However, it also introduced a rugged aesthetic with blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body and wheel arch cladding, and fake skidplates. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually offensive. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and available 20-inch wheels, these elements created an appealing exterior. The upcoming CX-50 Meridian Edition promised exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, splash guards, and a roof-mounted load platform.

Inside, the top-of-the-line CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus, priced at $43,170, featured black leather with caramel-colored accent stitching, round analog and digital gauges, quality materials, and polished metallic trim. The vertical air vents surrounding the instrument cluster and the lone off-center vent in the middle of the dash were notable design choices. Despite some minor design quirks, the CX-50's interior maintained Mazda's driver-focused ethos and high-quality feel.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover, with changes that were hard to notice at first glance. The front grille featured clever Mercedes star logos, and the headlights and taillights were slightly updated. Standard LED headlights and optional multi-beam LED headlights were available. The GLE 450e test vehicle, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, looked particularly handsome. The wheels, though pricey at $1,100, filled out the 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 GLE 450e's interior exuded class and luxury with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery, complemented by natural grain brown walnut trim. These additions, costing $1,620 and $160 respectively, 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.

Most buyers of the 2023 Mazda CX-50 opted for the more affordable and fuel-efficient 2.5 S model, which featured a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Mazda estimated this version would achieve 27 mpg in combined driving. For those seeking stronger acceleration and increased towing capacity (from 2,000 to 3,500 pounds), the CX-50 2.5 Turbo was the better choice. This model had a turbocharged version of the standard engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, and torque ranging from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft, depending on the fuel used. Mazda predicted the turbo model would get 25 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 23.4 mpg.

The CX-50 Turbo provided smooth acceleration across a broad power curve, with no noticeable turbo lag. It featured Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, though the differences between them were subtle. The CX-50 felt firmer in ride quality compared to the CX-5, and there was a hint of torque steer during tight turns. Despite its higher ride height and 8.6 inches of ground clearance, the CX-50 felt more like a modern Mazda6 station wagon with a Subaru Outback treatment. It handled off-roading situations well but lacked a downhill assist control system. The upcoming Meridian Edition with all-terrain tires would likely not match the Subaru Wilderness models on challenging terrain. The CX-50 2.5 Turbo also demonstrated reliable towing capability, handling a 3,500-pound load with ease on flat highways.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offered a range of powertrains to suit various SUV shoppers, starting at approximately $63,805. The lineup included the GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 450e, and GLE 580, along with the AMG GLE 53 and AMG GLE 63 S. Engine options ranged from turbocharged four- and six-cylinders to a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 hp in the AMG GLE 63 S. The GLE 450e, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motor, delivered a combined output of 381 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and offered an estimated electric-only range of 40 miles.

The GLE 450e's transition from gas to electric power was nearly undetectable, and the transmission was seamless. The regenerative brakes occasionally felt numb, but overall performance exceeded expectations. The cabin remained quiet even in hybrid mode, and the suspension absorbed bumps and ruts effortlessly. Despite its size, the GLE felt maneuverable and easy to place on the road. The AMG models offered quicker reflexes, but the GLE 450e's driving manners gave it an edge over many competitors.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 2.5 Turbo came equipped with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers. On a sunny day in Southern California, the ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were particularly useful. The driver and front passenger seats were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy enough for adults, with rear air vents and charging ports available on most trims. The rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle, making entry and exit easier.

Storage space in the CX-50 was adequate, though there were missed opportunities for additional bins and shelves. The available smartphone charger had a convenient slot under the center armrest. The power rear liftgate revealed 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than the CX-5. The load floor was long but narrow between the wheel wells, with side bins and hooks for securing items. Maximum cargo space was 56.3 cubic feet, slightly less than the CX-5 due to the CX-50's lower roofline.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered ample space for adults in both the first and second rows. The GLE 450e's light beige upholstery contributed to a light and airy cabin feel, and outward visibility was excellent. The 40/20/40 split-folding second row provided 33 cubic feet of cargo space, comparable to the BMW X5 but less than the Cadillac XT6 and Volvo XC90. The optional third-row seat 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. The Exclusive trim added a Burmester surround-sound audio system, ventilated front seats, online music streaming, and augmented reality navigation. The Pinnacle trim included massaging front seats, rapid heating front seats, a head-up display, heated and cooled front cupholders, LED intelligent lighting, star pattern logo projectors, and the Air Balance cabin-air fragrance and purification system. Additional options included a panoramic sunroof, illuminated running boards, soft-close doors, and heated rear seats.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services, including a WiFi hotspot, remote engine starting, and automatic collision notification. The base 2.5 S had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a larger 10.25-inch display. Historically, Mazda Connect did not offer touchscreen control, relying on center console buttons, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. However, the 2023 CX-50 introduced touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the screen was still distant from the driver.

The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. The Active Driving Display, or head-up display (HUD), projected useful data within the driver's line of sight, including blind-spot warnings.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with two 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 while maneuvering. Despite this minor quibble, the GLE's technology offerings were comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 was expected to rate high for safety, though the IIHS had not yet performed crash tests. Mazda provided a generous standard package of driving assistance systems, with additional features available on the CX-50 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus. These included Traffic Jam Assist, active blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors with reverse automatic braking, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting in, but overall, the systems worked well.

The 2024 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 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 and effective during everyday driving.