2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received an exterior makeover, though the changes were subtle enough to go unnoticed by many. Up close, the new Mercedes star logos on the front grille were a clever touch, and the updated headlights and taillights were more noticeable when compared directly with the previous model. Standard LED headlights and optional multi-beam LED headlights added to its appeal. The GLE 450e we tested, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, looked particularly handsome. The interior of our GLE 450e tester exuded class and luxury with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery, complemented by natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide range of choices with 10 interior color options and five trims, making it one of the highest quality cabins in its segment.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a radical new aesthetic, diverging from the sleek, futuristic designs of other Hyundai models like the Ioniq 5 and 6. The Santa Fe embraced a boxy shape, which Hyundai's design chief SangYup Lee explained was optimal for storage capacity. Despite its boxy design, the Santa Fe looked upscale and turned heads, even in rural Tennessee. The exterior featured sophisticated colors, including matte options, and anodized-finish badging. The XRT trim level added dark chrome and black cladding, with standard 18-inch alloy wheels on most trims and larger wheels on higher trims. Inside, the Santa Fe offered premium styling, with the XRT and Calligraphy trims showcasing a mix of hard and soft materials. The headliner fabric was particularly luxurious, adding to the overall comfort and elegance of the cabin.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 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, with two additional AMG models, 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 horsepower in the AMG GLE 63 S. Our GLE 450e tester featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 381 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque. This power was sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing the GLE 450e to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The GLE 450e's electric-only driving range was estimated at 40 miles, with the ability to operate as an EV at highway speeds up to 87 mph. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the suspension provided a smooth ride even on rough roads. The GLE's sophisticated steering made it easy to maneuver despite its size, and the AMG models offered even quicker reflexes.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's base powertrain was a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive optional, except for the XRT trim, which had AWD standard. The Santa Fe offered Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT adding off-road modes. Later in the model year, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine with a six-speed automatic transmission would be available, delivering an estimated 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. The Santa Fe's fuel economy varied by drivetrain, with the FWD base version rated at 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The XRT model had lower ratings due to its extra ground clearance and all-terrain tires but offered increased towing capacity. On the road, the Santa Fe Calligraphy provided smooth and stable performance, with some body roll through turns. The XRT trim handled off-road conditions well, comparable to other rugged SUVs in its class.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided ample space for adults in both the first and second rows, with a light and airy cabin feel. The GLE 450e offered 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which compared favorably with rivals like the BMW X5 but fell short of 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. Standard comfort features included power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a power sunroof, and a power liftgate. Our test vehicle also featured options from the Exclusive and Pinnacle trim levels, such as a Burmester surround-sound audio system, massaging front seats, and a head-up display. Additional standalone options included a panoramic sunroof, illuminated running boards, and heated rear seats.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a longer wheelbase and body compared to the previous generation, with most of the extra space dedicated to the cargo area. The design was inspired by the concept of "chabak," focusing on car camping and tailgating. The cargo area offered 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 40.5 and 79.6 cubic feet with the third and second rows folded. The first and second rows were spacious, with the third row being snug. Depending on the trim, the Santa Fe offered a choice of bench or captain's chairs in the second row, with various upholstery options ranging from stain-resistant cloth to quilted Nappa leather. Heated front seats were standard on all but the base SE, with ventilation available on higher trims. The cargo area also featured roof rails, a grab handle for loading, and a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox on Limited and Calligraphy models.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with a pair of 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 controls on the steering wheel could be overly sensitive, causing unintended volume changes.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's cabin centerpiece was a curved panoramic display that extended behind the steering wheel and above the center console, available on XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims. The touchscreen display was intuitive, with easy access to controls and crisp graphics. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across the lineup, along with a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SE and SEL trims featured a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen display with four USB ports. Higher trims included wireless charging, Hyundai's BlueLink system for vehicle access, and Hyundai Pay for secure payments. The Santa Fe also offered a biometric fingerprint scanner for valet mode control.

The 2023 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. Our GLE 450e was equipped with the optional Driver Assistance package, adding active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. These features were unobtrusive during everyday driving and provided an extra layer of safety.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Hyundai's vehicles typically performed well in these evaluations. The base SE trim included a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, intersection assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, safe-exit assist, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, driver-attention monitoring, and a rear-occupant reminder system. Higher trims added features like a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot view monitor, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors, reverse parking collision assist, remote automatic parking, and a sanitizing compartment in the glovebox. The Santa Fe also introduced driver monitoring across the lineup, combining an infrared camera and capacitive sensors to track alertness and detect if the driver is incapacitated.