2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of four trim levels in Canada: LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. The Seltos, except for the LX, came standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from $23,595 to $33,195, excluding the $1,850 destination charge. The U.S. model tested, the 2022 Kia Seltos Nightfall Edition, was similar to the top SX grade, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The Seltos was a visually appealing small SUV, though the headlights were not universally liked. Inside, it showcased style with exposed stitching and metallic accents, but the abundance of shiny hard plastic detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, though the purple accent colour for the infotainment system was not a popular choice.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover, with changes that were not immediately noticeable. The front grille featured clever Mercedes star logos, and the headlights and taillights saw minor updates. The GLE 450e test vehicle, finished in Twilight Blue metallic with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, was particularly striking. Inside, the GLE 450e exuded luxury with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery and natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide range of interior colour choices and trims, ensuring a high-quality cabin. The GLE's interior was spacious and comfortable, with excellent outward visibility, making it a standout in its segment.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in the LX, EX, and EX Premium trims, producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The SX trim featured a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The Seltos provided a choice of Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, with Smart mode balancing fuel efficiency and responsiveness. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, and the Seltos was capable of light off-roading. However, the suspension tuning was less than ideal, with noticeable body motion and limited bump isolation. Despite these issues, the Seltos was lively in urban environments and easy to park, though highway driving revealed some wind noise and road roar.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, with the AMG GLE 53 featuring a 3.0-litre turbo inline-six. The GLE 450e, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor, produced a combined 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450e accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in approximately 5.5 seconds and offered an estimated fuel economy of 4.1 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the suspension provided a smooth ride, even on rough roads. The GLE's steering was sophisticated, making it easy to maneuver despite its size, and the overall performance exceeded expectations.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a roomy interior with easy entry and exit. The driver's seat was manually adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on all but the base LX FWD. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, though the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos offered decent storage space, with 752 litres of cargo space behind the back seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided generous headroom and legroom in both the first and second rows, with a light and airy cabin feel. The GLE 450e offered 630 litres of cargo space behind the second row, with the option for a third-row seat in the GLE 350 and GLE 450 trims. The GLE 450e featured power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate. The test vehicle included numerous comfort features, such as a Burmester surround-sound audio system, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system in the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though a cable connection was required. The infotainment system was intuitive, with physical knobs and buttons for easy operation, but the voice recognition system was less effective without a connected services subscription.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument panel and main touchscreen. The system supported touch commands, a control pad, and 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, though the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls could be inadvertently activated.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos SX offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with a comprehensive lineup of active safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included active lane-keep assist and evasive steering assist. The GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS based on the 2022 model year, though crash tests for the 2024 model were not yet completed.