2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was often recommended for families due to its practical design and features. Its sliding side doors made it easy to load toddlers into rear-facing child safety seats, and its comfortable third-row seat accommodated additional passengers like grandparents or carpool kids. The Odyssey also offered significant cargo space, rivaling that of a Chevrolet Suburban when the third-row seat was folded down and the second-row seats were removed. Despite its practical advantages, the minivan's image deterred some buyers. However, the 2022 Honda Odyssey did have a sense of style, especially in the Elite trim with its dark gray 19-inch aluminum wheels and clean flanks accentuated by dramatic hockey-stick character lines.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover that was hard to notice at first glance. The front grille featured clever Mercedes star logos, and the headlights and taillights had minor updates. The GLE 450e model, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, looked particularly handsome. The interior of the GLE 450e exuded luxury with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery, complemented by natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide range of interior color choices and trims, making the GLE's cabin one of the highest quality and most robust-looking in its segment.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was a front-wheel-drive vehicle with an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While it lacked the all-wheel drive and hybrid options available in competitors like the Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Pacifica, the Odyssey was more enjoyable to drive. During a test drive in Southern California, the Odyssey averaged 22.6 mpg and demonstrated quick acceleration, responsive handling, and remarkable composure on various road types. However, its brakes tended to heat up and produce pedal vibration and audible grumble during extended downhill driving.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines and a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 horsepower in the AMG GLE 63 S. The GLE 450e model combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering 381 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This power was sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing the GLE 450e to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The GLE 450e's electric-only driving range was estimated at 40 miles, and it could operate as an EV at speeds up to 87 mph. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the suspension provided a smooth ride even on rough roads. The GLE's sophisticated steering made it feel maneuverable despite its size.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy entry and exit, with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. The Odyssey Elite featured quality leather, supportive front seats with power adjustment, heating, and ventilation, and a tri-zone automatic climate control system. Storage space was abundant, with numerous compartments and a handy floor tray. The second-row seats were comfortable and versatile, with the Magic Slide feature allowing for various configurations. The third-row seat was spacious enough for adults, and the cargo area behind it offered 32.8 cubic feet of space. Folding the third-row seat increased cargo capacity to 88.8 cubic feet, and removing the second-row seats provided a maximum volume of 144.9 cubic feet.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided ample space and comfort for adults in both the first and second rows. The GLE 450e's light beige upholstery contributed to a light and airy cabin feel, and outward visibility was excellent. The cargo area behind the second row offered 33 cubic feet of space, comparable to rivals like the BMW X5. The GLE's optional third-row seat was limited to the GLE 350 and GLE 450 models 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, and a power liftgate. Additional options included massaging front seats, a head-up display, and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added navigation, WiFi hotspot access, and CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies. The rear-seat entertainment system included a 10.2-inch display, HDMI inputs, and a "How Much Farther?" app. However, the Odyssey's infotainment system felt outdated, with a small screen and a lack of a tuning knob. The embedded navigation system required specific voice commands and was less user-friendly than smartphone-based navigation.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with two 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main infotainment display. The system could be controlled via touch commands, a control pad, 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 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 accidental volume changes.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the safety systems could be overly sensitive and abrupt, leading to an unnatural driving experience. The Odyssey earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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, hands-free park assist, rain-sensing wipers, and a driver attention monitor. The optional Driver Assistance package added active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist. These features were unobtrusive during everyday driving and provided an extra layer of safety.