2025 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, with its 2024 facelift, retained a distinctive design that set it apart from other Mercedes-Benz SUVs. It featured a rounded profile reminiscent of its predecessors, with squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille and headlights that gave it a wide stance. The side glass tapered sharply inward, creating a unique look that was further exaggerated in the GLE Coupe models. While not the most handsome in the lineup, the GLE's styling adhered closely to the brand's identity, ensuring it was unmistakably a Mercedes.

For 2025, the GLE offered new customization options, including four new paint colors and three new interior colors with Nappa leather upholstery. The interior was upscale, featuring chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system, and 64-color ambient lighting. The Yacht Blue interior in the test car was particularly striking, adding to the overall luxurious feel of the cabin.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, in its fifth generation, maintained a chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. The pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps aligned with Hyundai's design aesthetic, and the SUV was available in vibrant colors like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue. However, the rear design suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal, affecting the overall visual balance.

Each Santa Fe trim had specific wheel designs, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, with the off-road-focused XRT trim featuring chrome and black exterior accents. Inside, the Santa Fe offered seating for seven, except for the Calligraphy trim, which had captain's chairs in the second row. The interior ranged from basic cloth to luxurious Nappa leather, with some squeaks and rattles noted during testing. The inclusion of physical dials for HVAC temperature was appreciated, though the fan speed buttons were less user-friendly.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with the GLE 350's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This model came with a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive as an option. The GLE 450 4Matic featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, offering 50 miles of electric range.

The GLE 580 4Matic boasted a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine with 510 hp and 538 lb-ft, while the AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ performance models delivered 429 hp and 603 hp, respectively. The GLE 63 S, with its hand-assembled V8, provided exhilarating acceleration and a distinctive soundtrack. Despite its impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger than it was, even in AMG spec, making it less nimble in tight spaces.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a standard 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available across the lineup, except for the XRT trim, which was AWD only. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor for 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.

The Santa Fe offered stable handling with firm brakes and responsive steering, though turbo lag and delayed downshifts were noted. The gear selector, located on a stalk, required some getting used to. The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and 8.3 inches of ground clearance, enhancing its off-road capabilities. While not a rugged rock crawler, the Santa Fe handled graded dirt roads and small obstacles well.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though third-row space specs were not published. The GLE offered competitive headroom and slightly more second-row space than rivals, with three inches more legroom compared to the BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX. Cargo space was 33.3 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with all seats folded. The GLE's towing capacity was 7,700 pounds, matching the Audi Q7.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe's base SE trim included a hands-free liftgate, dual-zone climate control, and a dual-way center console. The XRT trim added heated front seats, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet, while the Calligraphy trim offered heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe featured a two-level glove box with a UV-C sanitizer on upper trims.

The Santa Fe excelled in interior space, offering the most third-row legroom in its class. The second-row seats had an adjustable cushion angle, and both the second and third rows could be folded for increased cargo space. With all seats occupied, the Santa Fe provided 14.6 cubic feet of space, expanding to 79.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The rear opening was widened to 50.2 inches, accommodating larger items. Most trims could tow 3,500 pounds, with the XRT capable of 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, creating a seamless horizontal display. The MBUX system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with multiple access methods, including a center-console touchpad and voice recognition. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe offered additional drive modes and settings, accessible via steering wheel dials.

Some GLE models included an off-road display and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capabilities. The air suspension could raise the ride height for added ground clearance, though the GLE was not as off-road capable as some competitors.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with the top trims also featuring a digital gauge cluster. The system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. Upper trims offered Amazon Music, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Hyundai Pay. Charging options included multiple USB-C ports and wireless charging for two phones.

The Santa Fe offered a digital key feature, allowing phone or Apple Watch access, and a fingerprint scanner for added security. A digital rearview mirror and head-up display were available on higher trims. The Bluelink app provided remote connectivity and over-the-air updates ensured the latest software.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of driver-assist features, though some were optional. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, crosswind assist, parking assist, a driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The Pre-Safe system mitigated collision effects by tightening seatbelts and closing windows.

The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and expanded driver monitoring. The GLE received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech received mixed ratings. NHTSA ratings were not available at press time.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and lane keeping assist. Higher trims added rear parking collision avoidance assist and Highway Drive Assist. The latter combined adaptive cruise control and lane following assist, though performance varied in traffic.

The top trim featured a blind spot avoidance system and Blind-View Monitor. The SEL and above trims included an expanded driver monitor system. The Santa Fe received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a "Good" rating from the IIHS, with "Acceptable" scores in headlight and LATCH categories.