Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Hyundai Venue

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of ten versions, with prices spanning from $63,600 to $134,500, including a destination charge. Assembled in Alabama, the base model was the GLE 350 with rear-wheel drive and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. At the higher end, the AMG GLE 63 S Coupe featured standard 4Matic all-wheel drive and a hand-built twin-turbo V8 engine. Our focus was on the GLE 450, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology. The GLE 450 came with standard all-wheel drive, except for the base GLE 350, and included the Exclusive Package and the new-for-2026 Manufaktur Edition Package, priced at $79,100. The Manufaktur Edition added exclusive paint, 21-inch wheels, a Night Package, a panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather, and the Driver Assistance Package. Despite its luxurious features, the GLE's exterior design was considered bland, though the interior was elegantly detailed with quality materials, ambient lighting, and sophisticated digital displays.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue, classified as a crossover SUV, resembled a tall hatchback with front-wheel drive and 6.7 inches of ground clearance. Its design leaned more towards a crossover, with a small and narrow appearance, upright windshield, bluff nose, and standard roof rails. The Venue's high nose was complemented by lower headlights and high-set daytime running lights, while black wheel flares and a two-tone roof added flair. Inside, the Venue's look was simple and functional, featuring a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen. Body-color trim surrounded the air vents and shifter, adding a touch of the exterior feel to the interior.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission, with driving modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual. The GLE 450 was capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds and included features like Downhill Speed Regulation and a "transparent hood" camera view for off-roading. However, the standard suspension allowed too much body motion, making it less enjoyable on mountain roads. The steering felt numb in Comfort mode and firmed up in Dynamic mode, but remained uninterested in anything but straight-line travel. The sport braking system performed well in spirited driving but felt grabby in typical situations. The automatic engine stop/start system caused delays in acceleration, and the transmission was slow to downshift. Despite these issues, the GLE was a comfortable long-distance vehicle with a quiet cabin and decent fuel economy, achieving 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This power was channeled through a continuously variable transmission to the front wheels. The Venue's 0-60 mph time ranged from 8.5 to 8.8 seconds, aided by its lightweight 2,738-pound frame. While peppy in city traffic, the Venue struggled at highway speeds, with the transmission slow to downshift. The engine droned under heavy throttle, and Sport mode increased noise levels. The Venue's small size and low weight contributed to agile handling, though the 6.7 inches of ground clearance caused some lean in corners. The ride was generally comfortable, but the solid rear axle made it jiggly on rough surfaces.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered firm yet comfortable front seats with heating and "energizing seat kinetics" to reduce fatigue. The Exclusive Package added ventilated front seats and Nappa leather. The back seat was roomy but had a low seating position relative to the window sills. A third-row seat was an expensive option, adding two extra chairs with USB-C ports. The GLE provided 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cargo area included a netted compartment, hooks, lighting, and a cargo cover, with a large spare tire and hidden storage under the load floor.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue featured cloth and H-Tex seats with manual adjustments and seat heating in SEL models. Headroom was plentiful, but legroom was limited for taller occupants. The rear seat accommodated average-sized adults, but taller individuals would struggle for legroom. The rear seat folded flat in a 60/40 split, offering 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space, reduced to 18.7 cubic feet with the seats up. The Venue's rear cargo floor lifted to access a compact spare tire, with cost-cutting evident in the lack of sound deadening. The interior featured hard black plastic with limited soft-touch surfaces.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch displays. The system offered lush graphics, biometric authentication, and a digital voice assistant. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system, Dolby Atmos technology, and augmented-reality navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and Mercedes Digital Extras. The Exclusive Package included Online Music Streaming with Apple Music integration.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue came with an 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment features. While small, it was functional, with large icons and quick response times. The system included phone, radio, media, and phone-projection connections, but lacked navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The audio system was a simple six-speaker unit, with no premium option available.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and more. The GLE's Active Emergency Stop Assist was a notable feature, automatically stopping the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. However, the route-based speed-adjustment feature was problematic, and the automated lane-change assist was inconsistent. The GLE had not been rated by the NHTSA, but the IIHS named it a "Top Safety Pick+" for 2025.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver-attention monitor. Blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert were available on all but the base SE. The Venue received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with the IIHS providing a "Good" score in the small front overlap test. However, ratings for other tests were unavailable, and its headlights received mixed ratings.