Mercedes-Benz GLS vs Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, with its six trim levels, including the Trailhawk, offered a rugged yet upscale appearance. The Trailhawk trim was distinguished by its sky blue exterior detailing and matte-black hood decal, which Jeep claimed reduced glare. Unique wheels with aggressive all-terrain tires and the Trail Rated badge highlighted its off-road prowess. However, the interior fell short of luxury expectations, with excessive plastic and gloss black surfaces that attracted dust and fingerprints. The leather and artificial suede upholstery were nice touches, but the overall feel leaned more towards style than substance. The interior's glossy surfaces made some controls hard to read, and their placement was not always intuitive. Despite these drawbacks, the steering wheel controls were well-designed, offering easy access to radio tuning and stereo volume.

In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS exuded a soft sensuality in its design, which, while bordering on boring, aged well. Our GLS 450 test vehicle featured stunning 22-inch AMG rims, a new silver four-louver grille, and polished metal accents, all complemented by a Twilight Blue paint color. Inside, the GLS 450 showcased a Bahia Brown over Black interior with natural-grain Grey Oak, polished aluminum accents, and rich detailing. The front seats were comfortable, offering heating, ventilation, and massage programs, while the new steering wheel was a pleasure to grip. The second-row captain’s chairs provided excellent thigh support, and the expansive legroom and panoramic sunroof added to the luxurious feel. However, accessing the third-row seat was cumbersome, and the space was snug for adults, though suitable for children.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe featured a plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Trailhawk to tow up to 6,000 pounds. The standard four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and Selec-Terrain technology ensured impressive off-roading capabilities. The Trailhawk also boasted a front-axle sway bar disconnect system and a height-adjustable air suspension, providing 10.9 inches of maximum ground clearance. However, the Grand Cherokee 4xe's performance in daily driving was less impressive, with an EPA-estimated 25 miles of all-electric range and 23 mpg in hybrid mode. During testing, it fell short of these figures, averaging 19.3 mpg. The gas engine sounded unrefined, and the regenerative braking system made smooth stops challenging.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, with its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology, delivered 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, providing smooth and seamless acceleration. The nine-speed automatic transmission and variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system offered a sublime driving experience. The GLS 450's adaptive air suspension allowed it to handle twisty roads with ease, and the massive Continental Premium Contact tires contributed to its athleticism. The brakes performed admirably, providing smooth stops in city driving. The GLS 450 also featured an Off-Road menu within MBUX, offering a transparent view through the hood for off-roading. The official fuel economy rating was 21 mpg in combined driving, and during testing, it achieved 19.9 mpg.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe struggled with practical storage and cargo space, partly due to its off-roading hardware. The Trailhawk featured eight-way power-adjustable front seats with leather and artificial suede upholstery, but the seats were firm and relatively flat. The rear seat cushion was low and lacked support, and rear legroom was tight. The cargo space measured 37.7 cubic feet behind the back seat and 70.8 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was small for a midsize SUV.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a more luxurious interior with supple leather surfaces, heating, ventilation, and massage programs. The front seats were comfortable, and the second-row captain’s chairs provided excellent thigh support. The GLS featured expansive second-row legroom and a panoramic sunroof. However, accessing the third-row seat was cumbersome, and the space was snug for adults. Interior storage was decent, and cargo space was practical, with 17.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 42.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and 84.7 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe boasted up to six screens, including a 10.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.3-inch front passenger infotainment screen. The Trailhawk's infotainment system used Uconnect 5 technology, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. However, the low-contrast graphics made the display hard to read, and the voice recognition system was average. The Trailhawk also featured an Alpine premium sound system and optional tech-related features like wireless smartphone charging and a camera-based digital rearview mirror.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the latest MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system offered improved graphics and was fast and easy to use, though touch-sensitive areas on the steering wheel and center console caused occasional frustration. The MBUX system excelled in intuitive touchscreen operation, natural voice recognition, and augmented reality for navigation. The GLS also featured a standard Burmester surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos technology.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe came equipped with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning. The Trailhawk added an active blind-spot monitoring system and an Advanced ProTech Group II package with intersection assist, a surround-view camera, and a Night Vision system. The Grand Cherokee 4xe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though the latter did not specifically apply to the 4xe version.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with over 20 significant systems. The advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were adjustable through MBUX, allowing customization of sensitivity and alerts. The GLS's ADAS performed exceptionally well, with smooth and subtle operation of adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems. The forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning systems were effective without being intrusive.