2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2022 Kia Telluride attracted consumers with its muscular design and balanced proportions, featuring trendy blacked-out wheels and trim. For 2022, Kia made only minor changes to the grille pattern and added new badges. The Telluride's interior was praised for its logical arrangement of controls and upscale appearance, although the glossy plastic in the lower half of the cabin detracted from its overall look, especially in the SX Prestige trim with its Nappa leather upholstery and simulated suede headliner.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover that was hard to notice. The GLE 450e test vehicle stood out with its Twilight Blue metallic finish and 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels. The interior of the GLE 450e exuded class and luxury, featuring Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery with 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 Kia Telluride was powered by a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine, delivering 262 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, provided satisfying acceleration and a smooth ride. The Telluride offered AWD with a Lock mode for even power distribution and had a ground clearance of eight inches. It performed well in various conditions, including snow and muddy roads, and featured a brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system. The Telluride's fuel economy was commendable, with an EPA estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving for AWD models.

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, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor, delivered a combined output of 381 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, provided swift acceleration and a smooth transition between gas and electric power. The GLE 450e's suspension absorbed bumps and ruts effortlessly, and its sophisticated steering made it easy to maneuver. The GLE 450e's electric-only driving range was estimated at 40 miles, and it could operate as an EV at highway speeds up to 87 mph.

The 2022 Kia Telluride balanced form and function with its upscale, organized interior and thoughtful details. It featured dual-zone automatic climate control for front-seat occupants and single-zone for the rear. The Telluride offered various seating options, including premium Nappa leather upholstery in the SX Prestige package. All three rows of seats were comfortable for adults, and the Telluride provided ample storage space, with 21 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row and a maximum volume of 87 cubic feet.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided ample space for adults in the first and second rows, with a light and airy cabin feel. The GLE 450e offered 33 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, comparable to rivals like the BMW X5. The GLE's optional third-row seat was limited to the GLE 350 and GLE 450 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. The Exclusive and Pinnacle trim levels added even more luxury touches, such as a Burmester surround-sound audio system, massaging front seats, and a panoramic power tilt and sliding sunroof.

The 2022 Kia Telluride featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation as standard equipment. However, it lost the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality of the previous 8-inch display. The Telluride included USB charging ports in all three rows, a wireless smartphone charging pad (except in the LX trim), and Kia Connect, a connected services platform with various features. The Telluride also had kid-friendly features like Quiet Mode and Driver Talk, as well as a 10-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system and a head-up display in the SX trim.

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 screen. The system could be controlled via touch commands, a control pad on the center 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 GLE also offered a head-up display and augmented reality navigation. However, the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel could be overly sensitive, leading to occasional issues.

The 2022 Kia Telluride included numerous standard driver assistance and collision avoidance technologies under the Kia Drive Wise umbrella. These features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Telluride also had Highway Driving Assist, Smart Cruise Control-Curve, and Safe Exit Assist. In crash tests, the Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" designation from the IIHS.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with 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. 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.