2021 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as a new entrant in the luxury SUV market, offered a fresh design perspective unburdened by a long legacy. This allowed Genesis to innovate and establish its signature look, characterized by a massive trapezoidal grille, Quad Lamp LED headlights, and elegant two-box design. The GV80's exterior was marked by its long hood, short front overhang, and distinctive wheel arches, which housed aluminum-alloy wheels ranging from 19 to 22 inches. Inside, the GV80 boasted a sleek, uncluttered dashboard with a 14.5-inch high-definition display, real wood, metal, and leather materials, and a bridge-like centre console with minimal controls, creating a luxurious and spacious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, with its Selenite Gray paint and 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, presented a more traditional luxury SUV design. Despite its athletic sneaker-like appearance from certain angles, the GLE Coupe maintained a high-end aesthetic with polished brightwork. Inside, it featured dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment, premium Nappa leather, and brushed aluminum trim. The cabin was designed for comfort and high-tech appeal, with ambient lighting enhancing the driving experience. However, the complexity of its controls required some acclimatization for new users.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The GV80's 3.5T models featured electronically controlled suspension with road preview and an electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing ride quality and off-road capability. Fuel consumption for the 2.5T was rated at 11.3 L/100 km city and 9.5 highway, while the 3.5T was rated at 12.9 L/100 km city and 10.4 highway.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 engine with 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, complemented by an EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It featured a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive. The GLE Coupe offered multiple driving modes, an adaptive damping control air suspension, and AMG Performance brakes. Fuel consumption was estimated at 12.5 L/100 km combined, with our test vehicle achieving 12.7 L/100 km. The GLE Coupe excelled in urban and highway settings, with a nimble and composed ride, and demonstrated impressive performance in Sport+ mode on challenging roads.

The 2021 Genesis GV80's interior was a blend of technology and luxury, with a rotary gear selector, circular multimedia controller, and capacitive touch HVAC controls. The second row offered ample space for two adults, with power-adjustable seats and a sunroof as standard. The 3.5T models included a third row, increasing passenger capacity to seven, with power-folding seats for added convenience.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe accommodated up to five passengers, though four was more comfortable. The front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the cargo hold offered 655 litres of space, expandable to 1,790 litres with the rear seats folded. Comfort upgrades included a four-zone climate control system and an Air Balance fragrance system, enhancing the luxury experience.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It offered cloud-connected services, NFC digital key functionality for Android users, and a head-up display on select models. The audio system ranged from a standard nine-speaker setup to a 21-speaker Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround system.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens, navigation, and smartphone integration. MBUX was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition and optional features like gesture recognition and augmented video navigation. The Burmester surround-sound audio system was available for an enhanced audio experience.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 earned top safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came equipped with 10 airbags, advanced driver assistance systems, and adaptive cruise control with machine learning. The GV80 also offered Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Intelligent Drive Package added 13 driver assistance systems, including Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist. While crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE received top safety ratings.