2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of design elements, sitting somewhere between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more conventional styling of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design cues, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact size and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, albeit an ungainly one. The Premium Luxury and Sport models offered slightly different exterior styling, with the former showcasing bright chrome for a traditional look and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille for a sportier appearance. The interior, while luxurious, relied heavily on the optional Platinum Package to meet luxury standards, lacking a strong design theme or brand-specific markers.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE underwent subtle exterior changes that were barely noticeable even to trained eyes. The front grille featured clever Mercedes star logos, and slight modifications were made to the headlights and taillights. The GLE 450e test vehicle, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, scored well in terms of aesthetics. The interior exuded class and luxury, with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery complemented by natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide range of interior colour choices and trims, ensuring a high-quality and robust-looking cabin. The GLE’s interior was one of the most refined in its segment, providing a sophisticated and luxurious experience.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 engine provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts from the transmission. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, offering a comfortable and controlled ride. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive. The cabin was impressively quiet, enhancing the overall luxury experience.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, as well as a 3.0-litre turbo inline-six in the AMG GLE 53. The GLE 450e, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor, produced a combined output of 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission delivered power to all four wheels, allowing the GLE 450e to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 5.5 seconds. The GLE 450e’s fuel economy was estimated at 4.1 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres in hybrid mode, with a range of 77 kilometres on electric power alone. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the suspension provided a smooth and comfortable ride. The GLE’s steering was sophisticated, making it easy to manoeuvre despite its size.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered favourable interior space compared to its German luxury crossover competitors. It provided more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, although it fell short in rear headroom. The XT5 excelled in legroom for both rows, although it had less front legroom than the Lincoln Corsair. The seats were comfortable but could have used more padding, especially in the rear. The XT5 boasted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and the interior featured a small cubbyhole for storage.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided ample space for adults in both the first and second rows, with generous headroom and legroom. The cabin had a light and airy feel, enhanced by the light beige upholstery. The GLE offered 630 litres of cargo space behind the second row, which compared favourably to the BMW X5 but fell short of the Cadillac XT6 and Volvo XC90. The optional third-row seat was limited to the GLE 350 and GLE 450 trims and was suitable only for young children. The GLE 450e came with numerous comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate. The test vehicle also included advanced features like a Burmester surround-sound audio system, augmented reality navigation, and massaging front seats.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display were available as part of the optional Technology Package. While the system was an improvement over previous Cadillac infotainment systems, it still lagged behind competitors in terms of screen size, graphics, and voice recognition. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but the array of secondary controls was cumbersome. The optional Bose Performance Series 14-speaker system delivered excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE boasted a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument panel and main touchscreen infotainment system. The system could be controlled via touch commands, a control pad on the centre console, or touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an improved “Hey Mercedes” voice command system. The optional head-up display and augmented reality navigation were praised for their clarity and convenience. However, the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel could be overly sensitive, leading to unintended volume changes.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came equipped with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, front and rear park assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. The Safety Alert Seat, which vibrated when a warning system was triggered, was also standard. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and a surround-vision camera system. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive lineup of active safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, and hands-free park assist. Optional features included active blind-spot assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. The GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS based on the 2022 model year, although crash tests for the 2024 model had not been completed at the time of publication.