2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

Chevrolet was a pioneer in small SUVs with the original S-10 Blazer, but today’s Chevrolet Equinox is just one of many compact crossover SUVs competing in a market segment that has become the default choice for many new car buyers. Among the Equinox’s many rivals are popular crossovers like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4.

All of those competitors are much fresher than the Equinox, which was last redesigned for the 2017 model year. This third-generation Equinox was a major leap forward when it launched, as the model it replaced was fairly long in the tooth at the time. But now Chevy risks getting left behind by competitors again.

The Equinox does get a number for small changes for the 2022 model year, including revised styling, a new RS trim with sporty design elements, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available front and rear park assist and automatic parking assist, heated power-adjustable exterior mirrors with integrated indicators, and a handful of new colour and interior trim options.

We spent a week with an Equinox RS for this review. The new-for-2022 RS is positioned near the top of the Equinox lineup, above the base LS and LT trim levels, but below the top Equinox Premier model.

A subtle refresh for the 2024 model year (launched in 2023) keeps the popular Mercedes sport-utility competitive against a wide roster of rivals, which include the BMW X5, Genesis GV70, Cadillac XT6, Acura MDX, and Volvo XC90, to name just a few.

Changes between the previous GLE and the 2024 model year consist primarily of a subtle redesign of the front grille (look closely and you’ll see it's now filled with tiny Mercedes-Benz star logos), reprofiled headlights and taillights, an updated infotainment system, and optional off-road-themed air suspension system that can raise the GLE 3 centimetres to clear obstacles. It can also shimmy this Mercedes sport-ute back and forth to help get it unstuck over tricky terrain.

Specific to our testing purposes, the 2024 GLE also ushers in a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant called the GLE 450e 4Matic. As the last part of the name suggests, like every 2024 GLE, all-wheel drive (AWD) is fitted as standard. Yet the big news is what’s under the hood of this new model, namely a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and 23.3-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

While fully electrified vehicles presently grab the most automotive headlines, a week spent on a test drive of the GLE 450e highlighted how easily this luxurious PHEV sport-utility adapts to all sorts of driving situations.