2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured a blunt nose, long hood, and a rakish windshield, with a cabin pulled back toward the rear wheels. This design showcased the subtle seductiveness that had characterized Mazda’s cars and SUVs for the past decade. However, the CX-50 also conveyed newfound ruggedness with blistered and boxed fender swells, lower body and wheel arch cladding, and fake front and rear skid plates. Oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance touch without being offensive to the eye.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE had subtle aesthetic changes, including sharper headlights and taillights, black fender flares, and chrome inserts in the grille. The optional AMG Line package added a distinct grille and sportier exterior. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 21-inch options. The GLE coupe, available only in the Mercedes-AMG guise, offered a sportier look but with reduced interior space. Inside, the cabin was luxurious with leather and soft-touch surfaces, though the Bahia Brown seating paired with open-pore walnut trim in our tester gave it a dated look.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options. The 2.5 S model had a 187 hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 186 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Mazda estimated this version would return 27 mpg in combined driving. The 2.5 Turbo variant featured a turbocharged engine producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel used, and torque ranging from 310 lb-ft to 320 lb-ft. This version had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and an estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg in combined driving, though our test averaged 23.4 mpg. The CX-50 Turbo provided smooth acceleration and a firm ride quality, with various driving modes that offered slight differences in vehicle behavior.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered several powertrain options, including the entry-level GLE 350 with 255 hp, 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. Our test vehicle was the new 450e plug-in hybrid, which combined a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce 381 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The 450e could travel up to 55 miles on all-electric power and featured a smooth transition between electric and gas modes. The GLE 450e had light steering and body roll, making it more suitable for comfortable commutes rather than sporty driving. It also featured an 11-kW onboard charger and could accept a 60-kW DC fast charge.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50’s interior was equipped with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated side mirrors. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control were also available. The driver’s seat and front passenger seat were comfortable for long drives, though they could use more side bolstering. The back seat was roomy enough for adults, and rear doors opened to nearly a 90-degree angle for easier entry and exit. Cargo space was 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e’s interior was luxurious, 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 added to the comfort. The cabin remained quiet even on noisy highways, and the Burmester stereo system provided excellent sound quality. The GLE could tow 7,700 pounds and featured Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology. Cargo space was 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 came with the Mazda Connect infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The base 2.5 S had an 8.8-inch display, while other trims included a 10.25-inch display. Mazda Connect historically lacked touchscreen control, but the 2023 CX-50 allowed touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint surround-sound system provided a satisfying audio experience. An Active Driving Display (HUD) was also available, projecting useful data within the driver’s line of sight.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12.3-inch digital customizable gauge cluster and the latest MBUX infotainment system. The 12.3-inch screen was smaller than those in other Mercedes models but still functional. The menu structure was easy to learn, and a touchpad on the center console provided an alternative to touching the screen. The augmented reality navigation system was helpful, overlaying numerical addresses and turn arrows on a video feed. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though our tester experienced frequent disengagements. The GLE also had an off-road page in the MBUX system, providing detailed information for off-road enthusiasts.

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, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control system had some issues recognizing slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered advanced driver’s aids, with blind-spot monitoring as standard. The Driver Assistance Package Plus added active blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist. The GLE had not received an overall or frontal crash rating from the NHTSA but earned high marks in side crash and rollover tests. The IIHS gave the GLE top scores in crashworthiness, crash avoidance and mitigation, and seat belts and child restraints.