2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was a vehicle that, despite its promise, did not quite deliver on its exterior aesthetics. Its design seemed to falter past the A-pillar, making it hard to distinguish from its predecessors. While the aggressive nose and sloping hood hinted at potential, the overall look was less striking compared to its competitors like the BMW X5 or the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. The AMG trim attempted to add a sporty flair, but it struggled to compete with the more visually appealing models from other luxury brands. However, the interior of the GLE was a different story. It was a masterpiece of quality and design, with a bold red and black colour scheme that exuded luxury. The interior materials, including wood, metal, leather, and suede, were a delight to touch, although some controls felt flimsy. Overall, the GLE's interior offered a sense of opulence, but it required significant options to truly feel luxurious.

The 2022 Honda Passport, on the other hand, shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar design. The Passport's new styling, particularly its nose, aimed to give it a tougher look, although opinions on its success varied. The TrailSport trim, introduced in 2022, added a rugged appearance with unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and skid plates. Inside, the Passport boasted one of the largest interiors in its class, with quality materials and thoughtful assembly. The TrailSport trim featured orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting, enhancing its appeal. While the Passport's off-road capabilities were more about looks than actual performance, it offered a comfortable and spacious interior, making it a practical choice for everyday use.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in performance, offering a range of advanced features. It featured a complex air suspension system with five configurations, providing a comfortable ride and adaptive handling. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe, in particular, showcased an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, although it wasn't as exhilarating as expected. The GLE's hybrid system, known as EQ Boost, added extra horsepower and torque, enhancing its performance. However, fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, with the AMG GLE 53 Coupe averaging 14.7 litres per 100 kilometres. The GLE's towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms was impressive, and its ride quality and steering were exceptional, making it a joy to drive.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive provided a smooth and capable driving experience. The Passport's fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres. The i-VTM4 AWD system offered mechanical torque vectoring, enhancing its performance on twisty roads. While the Passport was more capable off-road than expected, it wasn't designed for extreme off-roading. On regular roads, it offered a firm and communicative ride with athletic handling. However, the brakes could become less confident during mountain descents, which was a concern for towing.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior with optional third-row seating, accommodating up to seven passengers. The second-row seats featured power controls for added comfort, and the cargo capacity was generous, with 630 litres behind the second row and 2,055 litres with all rows folded. The Coupe version, however, had a more limited cargo space due to its sloping roofline. The MBUX infotainment system improved usability, although some controls were still fussy. Overall, the GLE provided a luxurious and comfortable interior, but it required careful setup to fully appreciate its features.

The 2022 Honda Passport, with its large doors and low step-in height, offered easy access and comfortable seating. The front seats were large and supportive, with standard leather upholstery and heated features. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim included ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was spacious, with ample legroom and headroom for rear passengers. The cargo space was impressive, with 1,430 litres behind the rear seat and 2,854 litres with the back seat folded down. The Passport's interior was practical and comfortable, making it a great choice for families and road trips.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, allowing for gesture controls. The system was intuitive, with search bars and larger type for easy navigation. The AMG models included a Track Pace app for performance tracking. The GLE's infotainment system was overengineered, offering features like seat kinetics, ambient lighting, and a natural voice assistant. The semi-automated functionality provided advanced driving assistance, making the GLE a technologically advanced vehicle.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system was more basic, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The TrailSport trim added satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation and a premium audio system. The system was straightforward, with shortcut buttons for easy navigation. However, the navigation system was clunky, and Apple CarPlay was preferred for its ease of use. Wireless smartphone charging was standard in all but the base trim. While not technologically advanced, the Passport's infotainment system was functional and user-friendly.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE received top safety ratings, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. It offered a range of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. The Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side features added extra protection in the event of a crash. The GLE's safety features were comprehensive and well-executed, providing peace of mind for drivers.

The 2022 Honda Passport included the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, some features, like lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist, were less refined and could be intrusive. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact collision, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave it top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision. While effective, the Passport's safety features could benefit from refinement.