2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2024 Subaru Ascent

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class received a subtle exterior upgrade, making it tricky to spot the changes unless closely examined. The front grille's new Mercedes star logos were a charming touch. The headlights and taillights underwent minor revisions, with LED options available for both. Despite its understated updates, the GLE-Class maintained its elegant aesthetic, rated seven out of ten. However, the model tested, the GLE 450e, featured a striking Twilight Blue metallic finish and 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, enhancing its appeal and tempting an upgrade to eight out of ten.

Inside, the GLE 450e's combination of Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery with natural grain brown walnut trim elevated the cabin's luxurious ambiance. This upscale mix added to the sticker price but was deemed worth the investment. Mercedes offered abundant choices with ten interior colors and five trims, reflecting a high level of customization and quality, making the GLE's cabin one of the most refined in its class.

Conversely, the 2024 Subaru Ascent's styling struggled to impress. Previous design refreshes added visually aggressive elements like the tusks on the grille, which weren't universally appreciated. Despite this, the Ascent continued with a design that prioritized functionality over form, making it less sophisticated and modern compared to competitors.

The Ascent Touring trim included everything Subaru could offer, such as premium Nappa leather upholstery and ventilated front seats, but the interior design felt more like a collection of modular components than a cohesive, refined space. Although practical, it lacked the luxury and sophistication seen in the GLE-Class.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offered an extensive range of powertrains suitable for various SUV shoppers. Configurations included the GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 450e, and GLE 580, extending to AMG GLE 53 and AMG GLE 63 S models for performance enthusiasts. The range-topping AMG GLE 63 S boasted a formidable twin-turbo V8 generating 603 horsepower.

The GLE 450e, our test vehicle, featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 381 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque. This setup, coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission, delivered swift acceleration, clocking 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. While official EPA estimates for fuel economy were pending, the GLE 450e's electric-only range was estimated at around 40 miles, and its hybrid mode transitioned seamlessly between gas and electric power. The ride quality was impressively smooth, and the vehicle's maneuverability was commendable despite its size.

In contrast, every 2024 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and standard AWD. The Ascent's versatility shone through in diverse driving conditions, from urban environments to off-road trails. While it performed admirably in various terrains, it fell short on twisty mountain roads due to its weight and suspension tuning.

Fuel economy wasn't a strong suit for the Ascent, especially with 20-inch wheels, where it posted EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. Our real-world tests yielded even lower figures, highlighting its thirst for fuel.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offered ample space in both the first and second rows, making it comfortable for adults of all sizes. The cabin, adorned in light beige upholstery in our test model, felt spacious and airy, with excellent outward visibility. Cargo capacity behind the second row stood at 33 cubic feet, slightly less than some competitors but adequate for most needs. The GLE-Class offered an optional third row, particularly compact and suitable mainly for children.

Our GLE 450e came with a plethora of standard features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. The Exclusive and Pinnacle trim levels added luxurious touches like a Burmester surround-sound system, ventilated and massaging front seats, and augmented reality navigation. Overall, the GLE's form and function balanced comfort, luxury, and practicality.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent, emphasizing functionality, integrated user-friendly features like a dashboard shelf, large rear cupholders, and rugged components designed for everyday use. The Nappa leather-wrapped seats in the Touring trim were comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats adding to the luxury.

The Ascent excelled in cargo capacity, offering 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 43.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 75.6 cubic feet with both rear rows down. While the Ascent prioritized practicality, it couldn’t match the GLE's luxurious atmosphere and adjustable comfort settings.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, consisting of two 12.3-inch screens for the instrument panel and infotainment controls. The system supported touch commands, a center console control pad, and steering wheel buttons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a refined "Hey Mercedes" voice command system. With features like augmented reality navigation and a head-up display, the GLE-Class catered to tech-savvy drivers, though some controls could be annoyingly sensitive.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent incorporated the Starlink infotainment system with an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added Starlink connected services, a navigation system, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. While the Ascent's interface worked well, it suffered from visibility issues in direct sunlight and an unreliable native voice-recognition system. Physical buttons and knobs provided easy access to common functions, a practicality some drivers prefer.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. The optional Driver Assistance package, recommended for its extensive safety enhancements, included adaptive cruise control, active lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition, making it a valuable add-on.

The 2024 Subaru Ascent emphasized safety with its standard EyeSight package, covering forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. While it earned high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, the Ascent's lane-centering assist technology occasionally faltered, leading to an unsettling driving experience during testing.