2025 Mazda CX-50 vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, with its 2024 facelift, retained a unique identity among Mercedes-Benz SUVs. It shared some visual bulk with the GLS, GLC, and GLB classes but featured a more rounded profile reminiscent of its predecessors. The squared-off wheel arches and horizontal grille and headlights gave it a wide stance, while the sharply tapering side glass, windshield, and back window created unusual proportions, especially in the GLE Coupe models. Despite not being the most handsome in the lineup, the GLE's styling adhered closely to Mercedes' design language, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz.

For 2025, the GLE offered new personalization options, including four new paint colors and three new interior colors, expanding the Manufaktur division's offerings to all GLE models. The interior, with its Yacht Blue Nappa leather upholstery, chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles, and 64-color ambient lighting, felt upscale and special. Mercedes provided a refreshing departure from the typical black, grey, and tan interiors, making the GLE's cabin a standout feature.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 was considered one of the more attractive choices in the compact SUV class, borrowing styling elements from the CX-5 but enhancing them with distinct fender flares and a wider grille for a sportier stance. Its interior featured a traditional layout with classier materials than rivals, offering soft-touch surfaces and sturdy plastics. Distinct stitching and red leather upholstery in the hybrid model added flair, while a decorative stripe on the seats provided visual interest, though its placement was occasionally awkward.

Despite these quirks, the CX-50 positioned itself above other compact SUVs, leaning toward entry-level luxury in design and interior quality. The cabin's traditional layout, combined with high-quality materials, made it a compelling choice for those seeking a balance between elegance and sportiness.

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 featured a mild-hybrid system and a nine-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and 4Matic all-wheel drive optional. The GLE 450 4Matic, with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, delivered 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 with 510 hp and 538 lb-ft.

The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ performance models rounded out the lineup. The GLE 53's inline-six produced 429 hp and 413 lb-ft, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds. The GLE 63 S, with a hand-assembled twin-turbo V8, delivered 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reducing the 0-60 mph time by 1.2 seconds. Despite its impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger than it was, even in AMG spec, making maneuvering in tight spaces challenging.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid debuted with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with three electric motors, producing 219 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, borrowed from the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, offered all-wheel drive and was expected to reach 60 mph in 7.5 to 8 seconds. The CX-50's electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (e-CVT) replicated the feel of a conventional automatic transmission, providing quick throttle response and engaging handling.

The CX-50's sportier suspension tuning resulted in more agile handling, with minimal body roll and a firm ride quality. While bumps were more noticeable, the ride remained smooth and the cabin quiet on highways. The CX-50's driving dynamics set it apart from competitors, offering a more engaging experience for those who prioritize handling.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though Mercedes did not publish third-row space specs. The GLE offered similar headroom to rivals but slightly less legroom than the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. The high seating position provided an SUV-like feel, though outward visibility was limited. The AMG test car's heavily bolstered front seats made entry and exit challenging. Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitors, with headroom comparable to the BMW X5 and more legroom than the BMW, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX.

The GLE offered 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, competitive but less than the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, it provided 74.9 cubic feet, the most among its competitors. The bulky center console offered reasonable small-item storage, and the GLE's maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds matched the Audi Q7, with other rivals also capable of towing at least 7,000 pounds.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50, while enjoyable to drive, fell short in practicality and space compared to competitors. The front seats offered ample room, but the rear seats were less accommodating for taller passengers than the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Sportage Hybrid. Personal storage was adequate, with a moderately sized armrest bin, cupholders, and door pockets, but rivals offered more storage options. The CX-50's cargo capacity was 29.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, 2.2 cubic feet less than the non-hybrid model and significantly less than the class average. The CR-V Hybrid and Kia Sportage offered more cargo space.

Despite these limitations, the CX-50's space was more usable than the figures suggested, with a standard power liftgate, large storage bin under the cargo floor, remote rear seatback releases, and shopping bag hooks adding convenience.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, creating the impression of one continuous horizontal screen. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a center-console touchpad, steering-wheel touchpads, and the central touchscreen, could be confusing, but the voice recognition system simplified interactions. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car offered additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise.

Some GLE models featured a dashboard off-road display and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capabilities. While not as fun off-road as a Land Rover Range Rover Sport, these features, combined with air suspension, made rough terrain easier to navigate.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50's 10.25-inch infotainment system was mounted atop the dashboard, controlled by a center-console dial. Touchscreen functionality was limited to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The dial controller, reminiscent of early infotainment systems, allowed users to navigate without focusing on small on-screen buttons. All CX-50 models included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a wireless charging pad available on the Premium trim. Base trims featured an eight-speaker audio system, while the Premium trim offered a 12-speaker Bose system.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, though some were not standard. 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, closing windows and sunroof, and emitting a sound to protect against hearing loss. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and expanded driver-monitoring.

The GLE-Class received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings. NHTSA ratings were unavailable at press time.

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, which received four stars. IIHS results were pending, but the non-hybrid 2024 model received a Top Safety Pick+ rating. All CX-50 models included driver assistance features like frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Secondary features included a rear passenger reminder, driver attention monitor, and safe exit alerts. The adaptive cruise control was noted for its smooth operation.