2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Toyota RAV4

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class underwent subtle exterior updates that were easy to miss. The front grille featured clever Mercedes star logos, a small but charming detail. Changes to the headlights and taillights were subtle as well, with LED headlights now standard and multi-beam LED headlights optional. The GLE 450e we tested boasted a striking Twilight Blue metallic exterior, paired with sleek 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels. These enhancements incurred a cost of $1,100 but added significant style. Mercedes offered a range of wheel sizes and designs, including 19 and 20 inches as standard, and seven total wheel designs, along with 10 exterior colors.

Inside, our GLE 450e tester exuded luxury with a combination of Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery and natural grain brown walnut trim. These options added $1,620 and $160, respectively, to the sticker price, a worthwhile investment for the enhanced ambiance. Mercedes provided 10 interior color choices and five trims, including brushed aluminum, black piano lacquer, gray oak, and brown linden wood. Overall, Mercedes-Benz consistently delivered high-quality cabins in this competitive segment.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered six trim levels, from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims retained the distinct two-part face design introduced in 2019. The Adventure trim, with its more aggressive grille, blacked-out wheels, faux skid plate, and bold black cladding, presented a rugged appearance, although it was more show than substance.

Inside, the Adventure trim showcased orange accents, including striped seats with contrast stitching and orange plastic borders in the otherwise basic center console. The RAV4 also featured a frameless rearview mirror, adding a touch of sophistication to an otherwise simple interior. The LE and XLE trims had fabric seats, while the XLE Premium upgraded to synthetic leather (SofTex) upholstery. Higher trims offered heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and various options for heated rear seats and steering wheels.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offered a range of powertrains to suit various preferences, starting at approximately $63,805. The options included the GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 450e, and GLE 580, alongside AMG models like the AMG GLE 53 and AMG GLE 63 S. Engine choices ranged from turbocharged four- and six-cylinders to the formidable twin-turbo V8 in the AMG GLE 63 S, producing 603 horsepower. The GLE 450e, our test vehicle, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor with a combined output of 381 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The GLE 450e accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, providing impressive performance, especially for highway merging and city driving. Although official EPA estimates for electric-only range were not available, an EV range of 40 miles was a reasonable estimate based on our experience. The transition from gas to electric power was seamless, and the regenerative brakes, though occasionally numb, contributed to a satisfying driving experience. The sophisticated suspension and quiet cabin made for a comfortable ride, even on rough roads. The GLE’s maneuverability and steering precision were commendable, despite its size.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with a standard front-wheel-drive setup, except for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured all-wheel drive (AWD) by default. AWD was available as an upgrade for other trims, adding a Snow Mode. The RAV4 Hybrid and Prime models also came exclusively with AWD.

The gas-powered RAV4 utilized a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the transmission was preferable to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), acceleration was not particularly exciting. The RAV4 Adventure, with its 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, lacked the off-road capability of the TRD Off-Road trim, which featured 18-inch wheels, Falken All-Terrain tires, and TRD-tuned suspension components.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class comfortably accommodated adults in both the first and second rows. Seating for five, light beige upholstery, and ample visibility contributed to an open, airy feel. The GLE offered 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 40/20/40 split-folding second row, comparable to the BMW X5 (33.7 cubic feet) but smaller than the Cadillac XT6 (43.1 cubic feet) and Volvo XC90 (41.8 cubic feet). The optional third-row seat, limited to the GLE 350 and GLE 450, was suitable only for young children.

Comfort features in the GLE 450e included power-adjustable heated front seats with memory function, dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and a power liftgate. Our test vehicle featured additional options like a Burmester surround-sound system, ventilated front seats, augmented reality navigation, massaging front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing overall convenience and luxury.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 seated five passengers. With the moonroof, the front row provided 37.7 inches of headroom and 41 inches of legroom, while the back seats offered 39.5 inches of headroom and 37.8 inches of legroom. Despite offering less front-row headroom and rear legroom compared to the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, the RAV4 excelled in rear headroom.

Cargo space in the RAV4 measured at 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, positioning it between competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and the class-leading Honda CR-V.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument panel and main infotainment screen. The system could be operated via touch commands, a control pad on the center console, or touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. While user-friendly, the MBUX system had a learning curve due to its extensive features. 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 added convenience and clarity.

The steering wheel’s touch-sensitive controls, while innovative, occasionally caused unintended volume spikes, particularly during maneuvers like parallel parking.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Screen sizes included an 8.0-inch touchscreen for most trims and a 10.5-inch touchscreen for Limited and TRD Off-Road trims. The updated system supported over-the-air updates. Our RAV4 Adventure tester featured the upgraded multimedia system with a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, upgradeable to a 12.3-inch display for Limited trims and optionally for TRD Off-Road.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class came equipped with a comprehensive array 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 beams, and a driver attention monitor. Our test vehicle included the optional Driver Assistance package, adding active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. These systems were unobtrusive and reliable during everyday driving.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured standard lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control and other advanced driver-assistance features. The updated Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

The RAV4 performed well in IIHS evaluations, earning a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award.