Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Nissan Rogue

It was a bit challenging to spot the aesthetic changes in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE, but a little effort revealed significant improvements. The headlights and taillights had been sharpened, and new black fender flares were added above the wheel arches. Additionally, the grille now featured intricate chrome inserts. Our test vehicle, equipped with the optional AMG Line package, was particularly attractive, boasting a distinctive grille that added a touch of sportiness to its exterior. The 19-inch wheels were standard, but there was an option to upgrade to impressive 21-inch wheels. For those seeking a more daring look, the Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe offered a sleeker design. Although it was only available in the high-performance Mercedes-AMG variant, it retained many of the same features, albeit with less interior space. Inside, the cabin was unmistakably Mercedes-Benz in design, though not as futuristic as the brand's newer all-electric EQ models. However, it still offered an abundance of leather and soft-touch surfaces. The available open-pore walnut trim was stunning, but in our tester, it was paired with Bahia Brown seating surfaces, evoking a retro '70s wood-paneled look. Opting for lighter-colored leather would resolve this aesthetic issue. The 2024 Nissan Rogue received its first major styling update since the current generation launched in 2021, maintaining the lineup of S, SV, SL, and Platinum trims. The new, larger grille seamlessly integrated with the Rogue's trademark stacked headlights and daytime running lights, while redesigned inner taillight elements subtly refreshed the rear fascia. New satin-finish exterior badging, an 18-inch wheel design for the Rogue SV, and a 19-inch machined-finish wheel design for the Rogue Platinum further enhanced its appearance. The top-tier Platinum trim also added more black exterior trim, with an optional black roof. Inside, Nissan made significant updates to the dashboard to accommodate a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, giving the Rogue a more premium feel. The Rogue SV trim benefitted from upgraded materials throughout the interior, enhancing its overall appeal. Our Rogue Platinum test car featured leather seats with new Chestnut brown color and quilted stitching, adding an upscale touch that felt right at home in the well-appointed cabin.

Buyers had several options for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE. The entry-level GLE 350 boasted 255 horsepower, while the mid-line GLE 450 featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine. At the top, the GLE 580 packed a 4.0-liter V8, and all models paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. However, our focus was on the new 450e plug-in hybrid. The 450e combined a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. Although the plug-in hybrid offered more power than the GLE 350 and GLE 450, it was about a half-second slower to reach 60 mph due to the added weight of its 23.3-kWh battery. Mercedes claimed an all-electric range of 48 miles, but our testing revealed up to 55 miles. The 450e defaulted to all-electric mode at startup when the battery was charged. It also allowed drivers to switch between Hybrid mode and Battery Hold mode, with adjustable brake regeneration settings available with each start-up. The transition between electric and gas power was smooth and barely noticeable. While the 450e featured a Sport mode, it didn't significantly enhance the driving experience. The steering was light, and there was ample body roll, making for a comfortable but not particularly sporty ride. Sportier alternatives, like the BMW X5 xDrive50e, offered nimbler handling and quicker acceleration. Charging the 450e was convenient, thanks to an 11-kW onboard charger that reached full capacity in under three hours with a Level 2 home charger. It also supported 60-kW DC fast charging for efficient road trip refueling. The 2024 Nissan Rogue sported a unique powertrain. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, a part of Nissan's VC-Turbo lineup, could vary its compression ratio to balance power and fuel efficiency. Despite having one less cylinder than its rivals, the Rogue's engine performed admirably. Generating 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, the engine outperformed the standard 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the Honda CR-V and the Subaru Forester's naturally aspirated 2.5-liter boxer-four. It also boasted more torque than the Toyota RAV4's 2.5-liter inline-four, which had slightly more horsepower but significantly less torque. Unfortunately, the Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) didn't match the engine's prowess, often lagging in transferring power to the wheels. Standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD) were available. Although Nissan didn't market the Rogue as a driver-centric vehicle, like Mazda's CX-5, it still fell short as a daily driver. Our Rogue Platinum test car's suspension was firmer than expected, detracting from ride quality without enhancing handling. While quiet, the engine's droning exhaust note was disappointing.

What the GLE 450e lacked in dynamic driving, it compensated for with luxurious interior comforts. Standard heated front seats could be upgraded with ventilation and massage functions. Heated and cooled cupholders ensured beverages stayed at the perfect temperature during commutes. Customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors contributed to a serene ambiance, complemented by an outstanding Burmester stereo system. A notable drawback was the fixed sun visors, which couldn't extend to block sunlight effectively. This minor inconvenience felt at odds with the vehicle's luxury status. The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class boasted a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, supported by the new Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology for easier trailer management in certain conditions. Cargo space was abundant, offering 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats (slightly more in non-PHEV models), expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded. The 2024 Nissan Rogue, along with competitors like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4, offered comparable passenger space across both rows. Notable differences were in legroom, with the Forester offering more in the first row and the Tucson providing significantly more in the second row. In terms of cargo capacity, the Rogue offered 36.5 cubic feet with the rear seats upright and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was less than the CR-V and Tucson, it exceeded the Forester. Nissan's Divide-N-Hide system optimized space use, allowing drivers to choose between a flat cargo floor with hidden storage or a lower floor for increased height. Additional molded spaces for grocery bags and available power liftgates on higher trims further enhanced practicality. The front center console featured a pass-through space for added versatility, though the lower storage tray was somewhat difficult to access and prone to being overlooked.

The GLE SUV came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital customizable gauge cluster and Mercedes' latest MBUX infotainment system. Unlike other Mercedes models, the GLE featured a smaller 12.3-inch touchscreen. The intuitive menu structure could be navigated via a center console touchpad, touch screen, or by using the "Hey, Mercedes" voice command. The augmented reality navigation system stood out, overlaying addresses and turn arrows on a video feed, aiding precise navigation. The off-road page in MBUX provided detailed information, including altitude, steering angle, and tire conditions. A transparent hood feature displayed feeds of what lay underneath, delighting information enthusiasts. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though we experienced connectivity issues with our iPhone. Multiple USB-C ports delivering up to 100W ensured devices stayed charged. The 2024 Nissan Rogue came with either an 8-inch touchscreen (standard on S and SV trims) or a new 12.3-inch touchscreen on SL and Platinum trims, which replaced the previous 9-inch screen. These upper trims also received a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and Google built-in apps. The Rogue was the first Nissan to feature Google built-in, integrating Google Maps, Assistant, and the Play Store directly into the infotainment system. However, free connectivity only lasted five years, after which a vehicle data plan was necessary for third-party apps. The dual 12.3-inch screen setup significantly improved the system's usability, with contemporary graphics and straightforward menus. Our pre-production Rogue Platinum test car experienced occasional slow boot-ups, but this might not reflect production models. Nissan included multiple charging options, with two USB-C ports standard on base models and additional charge-only USB-C ports on higher trims. SL and Platinum models also featured wireless device charging pads. The free trial for Nissan Connect Services, available on all but the base model, extended from six months to three years. This service linked with a smartphone app for features like remote door lock/unlock, remote start/stop, vehicle health reports, and emergency calls.

Mercedes-Benz maintained its reputation for advanced driver aids, offering numerous features to enhance safety. Standard blind-spot monitoring could be upgraded to active monitoring with the Driver Assistance Package Plus, which also included lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist. These systems worked seamlessly, with adaptive cruise control being particularly effective, though the package added nearly $2,000 to the cost. The GLE had not yet been rated overall by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) but earned a five-star side crash rating and a four-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a "Good" rating in crashworthiness, crash avoidance, and mitigation, as well as seat belts and child restraints. Models with the Digital Light package received an "Acceptable" headlight rating. The 2024 Nissan Rogue achieved commendable safety scores from the IIHS, receiving top "Good" ratings in various crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating in the updated side-impact test. Its headlights also earned a "Good" rating. The Rogue received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in rollover and frontal crash tests. Standard driver assist features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control. Nissan's ProPilot Assist was available, enhancing adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering for highway driving. While not as advanced as some competitors' systems, it offered greater capabilities than most rival offerings.