2022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE, despite its lineage, was not universally praised for its exterior design. It retained a somewhat rushed appearance, reminiscent of its predecessors, with a front that promised aggression but lost its distinctiveness past the A-pillar. The rear design, with flat taillights and a contoured finish, attempted to mitigate its minivan-like tendencies. While Mercedes excelled in styling its sedans and sports cars, the GLE's SUV form lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW and Audi. 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 cabin was a sensory delight, with wood, metal, leather, and suede upholstery, although some controls felt flimsy. Overall, the GLE's interior exuded a sense of luxury and comfort, albeit at a high price point.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a complete makeover, resulting in a dramatic and attractive exterior. The new design featured a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes, giving it a concept-car-like appearance. The long hood and steeply raked windshield added elegance, while the blacked-out pillars created a floating roof effect. The rear design was tasteful, with "INFINITI" spelled out in chrome letters across the liftgate. Inside, the QX60 felt wide and open, with a dash that emphasized horizontal lines and layers. The Autograph trim level featured quilted leather upholstery on the seats and dash, adding a touch of luxury. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display was well-placed, and the TFT instrument panel provided crisp graphics. The QX60's interior was crafted with high-quality materials and offered a comfortable and serene ride for passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled as a multi-purpose vehicle, offering a range of advanced suspension and engine configurations. The base GLE 350 featured a coil-sprung setup, while the GLE 450 and AMG models boasted air suspensions with adaptive dampers and self-leveling air springs. The AMG Ride Control+ and E-Active Body Control systems provided exceptional handling, allowing the GLE to lean into turns like a motorcyclist. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured an electric supercharger for instant throttle response, while the hybrid EQ Boost system enhanced performance with an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Despite its hybrid setup, the GLE's fuel efficiency was average, with the AMG GLE 53 Coupe averaging 14.7 litres per 100 kilometres. The GLE offered impressive towing capacity, up to 3,500 kilograms, and delivered a remarkable driving experience with precise steering and exceptional ride quality.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, on the other hand, featured a traditional nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous CVT for a superior driving experience. The 3.5-litre V6 engine produced 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, offering smooth acceleration and deceleration. The QX60's suspension, with MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, provided a smooth and serene ride. While not designed for aggressive cornering, the QX60 excelled on highways and suburban streets, offering comfort and ample space for passengers. The QX60's fuel consumption was comparable to its predecessor, with an expected 11.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 9.5 on the highway. Overall, the QX60 delivered a refined and comfortable driving experience, ideal for long journeys and family outings.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior, with most models featuring two rows of seats and an optional third row for seven-passenger seating. The second-row seats provided power controls for recline and fore-aft adjustments, while the third row was accessible via sliding and folding seats. The Coupe body style accommodated five passengers, with limited rear space due to the sloping roofline and large rear tires. Cargo capacity was generous, with 630 litres behind the second row and 2,055 litres with all rows folded. The Coupe offered 655 litres behind the second row and 1,790 litres with the seats down. The GLE's usability was enhanced by the MBUX infotainment system, which featured a touchpad interface and intuitive controls.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, with its three-row configuration, catered to passengers with ample storage, charging ports, and comfort features. The front centre console offered smartphone storage, cupholders, and covered storage, while the shift-by-wire technology allowed for additional storage space beneath the console. The second-row seats, available as a bench or captain's chairs, slid fore and aft for easy access to the third row. The QX60 provided 411 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 1,178 litres with the third row folded, and 2,135 litres with both rows down. The QX60's towing capacity ranged from 1,587 kilograms to 2,721 kilograms, depending on the model and equipment.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen display featuring Interior Assistant, which recognized hand gestures for shortcuts. The system was user-friendly, with search bars and larger type for easy navigation. The AMG models included a Track Pace app for lap timing and performance tracking. The GLE offered a range of comfort features, including seat kinetics, heated armrests, and ambient lighting with 64 colours. The navigation system projected directions onto the front camera feed, and the voice assistant responded to commands with natural language processing. The GLE's semi-automated functionality included lane changes and speed adjustments for curves.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity. The system included six USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a navigation system with TomTom map data. The Sensory and Autograph models offered a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror with a live camera feed. The QX60's Intelligent Key stored seat positions and audio preferences, while the Bose Performance series sound system provided premium audio quality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with features such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The GLE's Pre-Safe Sound and Pre-Safe Impulse Side systems enhanced safety in the event of a crash, while the brakes and stability control provided additional protection.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, while not yet rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, was expected to achieve high safety ratings based on its predecessor's performance. The QX60 offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including airbags, forward emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The ProPilot Assist system and optional features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot intervention further enhanced safety.