GMC Terrain vs Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2022 GMC Terrain received updates to its front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels with sport-terrain tires, and AT4 badges. GMC equipped the AT4 with a steel skid plate under the front end to protect vital mechanical components, anticipating that some owners might test its off-road capabilities. The test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. Despite the high price, the interior materials and execution did not fully meet expectations, with some design choices like the pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray falling short.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE underwent subtle exterior changes, including new star logos on the front grille and updated headlights and taillights. The GLE 450e test vehicle featured Twilight Blue metallic paint and 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, which added to its visual appeal. The interior of the GLE 450e exuded class and luxury with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery and natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide range of interior color choices and trims, ensuring a high-quality and robust-looking cabin. The GLE's design and materials reflected its premium status, making it a standout in its segment.

The 2022 GMC Terrain was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The engine's torque was available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but there was a delay off the line. The nine-speed automatic transmission kept the Terrain in the torque band once rolling. The Terrain AT4 could switch between FWD and AWD modes and had an Off-Road mode and Hill Descent Control system. However, the AT4's ground clearance of 7.9 inches was less than some competitors, and the sport-terrain tires lacked grip on curves. The Terrain AT4's powertrain met fuel economy expectations, achieving 26.2 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines and a twin-turbo V8 in the AMG GLE 63 S, which produced 603 horsepower. The GLE 450e featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 381 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The GLE 450e could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and had an estimated electric-only range of 40 miles. 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 maneuverable despite its size, and the overall performance exceeded expectations.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered a roomy interior with numerous comfort-enhancing features and storage solutions. The AT4 trim included power-adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat provided ample legroom and support, and the cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The Terrain also had a large storage bin under the trunk floor and a fold-flat front passenger seat for long items.

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 had 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, comparable to rivals like the BMW X5. The GLE offered a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. The test vehicle included options like ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The GLE's interior was well-appointed, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for the SLE trim and an 8-inch touchscreen for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and GMC Connected Services through OnStar. The test vehicle had the larger screen and the Infotainment Package II, which added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was highly accurate, but the Bose speakers were less impressive. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with two 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, leading to accidental volume changes.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a following distance indicator. The GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Terrain received mostly "Good" crash-test scores from the IIHS, with a "Marginal" rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not evaluated the 2022 Terrain's crashworthiness at the time of the review.

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. The optional Driver Assistance package added active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. These features were unobtrusive during everyday driving and provided an extra layer of safety.