2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was a vehicle that, despite its promise, did not quite deliver on the aesthetic front. Its exterior design, while featuring an aggressive nose and a sloping hood, seemed to lose its distinctiveness past the A-pillar, making it hard to differentiate from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear attempted to counteract its minivan-like tendencies, but the GLE struggled to match the pitch-perfect proportions of its competitors like BMW, Audi, or Jaguar. However, the interior was a different story. The 2021 redesign brought a more streamlined and cohesive look, with a luxurious interior that boasted high-quality materials and a striking red and black colour scheme. The interior was a sensory delight, with wood, metal, leather, and suede upholstery, although some elements like the gear selector felt flimsy.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V had a design that was both familiar and functional. Its exterior was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, aligning it with Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's styling was more station wagon than SUV, making it a modern family transportation staple. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims. However, these clashed with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers of its commodity car roots. Despite this, the CR-V's interior was spacious and well-packaged, offering excellent head- and legroom, and a cargo compartment that rivaled larger vehicles.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle, boasting a complex suspension and engine setup. It featured five suspension configurations, with the base GLE 350 using a coil-sprung setup for reliability and comfort. The GLE 450 offered AIRMATIC with self-leveling air springs, while the AMG Ride Control+ added sport-tuned features. The E-Active Body Control allowed the GLE to lean into turns like a motorcyclist. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe had an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, and all GLE models except the base were hybrids with EQ Boost, providing additional horsepower and torque. Despite these features, the GLE's fuel efficiency was average, with the AMG GLE 53 Coupe averaging 14.7 L/100 km.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, on the other hand, was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. The CR-V's powertrain was well-matched, offering a quick response, especially in Sport mode. Its road manners were excellent, with a car-like demeanor, nimble handling, and minimal body roll. The CR-V's lightweight contributed to its acceleration, handling, and fuel efficiency, with FWD models rated at 7.7 L/100 km combined and AWD models at 8.1 L/100 km, making it one of the most efficient in its class.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models being two-row SUVs, and an optional third row for seven-passenger seating. The second-row seats had power controls, and the cargo capacity was 630 litres behind the second row, expanding to 2,055 litres with all rows folded. The Coupe body style was more limited, with 655 litres behind the second row and 1,790 litres behind the first. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability, with a single touchpad and simplified interface, although some controls were fussy.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was known for its masterful packaging, offering a roomy cabin with excellent head- and legroom. The cargo compartment matched larger vehicles, with a two-position load floor for maximizing space. The centre console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, influenced by Honda's Odyssey minivan. The CR-V's clever storage solutions made it easy to live with, accommodating various items with ease.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, capable of reading hand gestures. The system was user-friendly, with search bars and larger type for easy navigation. The AMG models featured a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew functions. The GLE also offered a head-up display, ambient lighting with 64 colours, and a natural voice assistant. The semi-automated functionality included lane changes and curve slowing, making it a technologically advanced vehicle.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard but felt tacked on. However, the CR-V was equipped with plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger in higher trims, providing ample charging options for devices.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned top safety ratings, with a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It offered a range of safety and driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. The GLE also featured Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side for enhanced safety in crashes.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured automatic high beams and blind-spot monitoring in higher trims. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights improving nighttime visibility in higher trims.