2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a rugged take on the traditional Outback, offering a higher stance and a more adventurous aesthetic. With 23 centimetres of ground clearance, it was designed to tackle rough terrains, resembling more of a Jeep than a station wagon. The model featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection, and restyled bumpers for improved approach and departure angles. Its unique design elements included a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents, all contributing to its bold appearance. Inside, the cabin was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching, creating a functional yet stylish interior.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE underwent subtle exterior updates that might have gone unnoticed by many. The GLE 450e, in particular, stood out with its Twilight Blue metallic finish and 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels. The interior exuded luxury, featuring Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery with natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide array of interior colour choices and trims, ensuring a high-quality and robust cabin experience. The GLE's interior was spacious and comfortable, with a focus on elegance and sophistication, making it a strong contender in the luxury SUV segment.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine provided ample power for a midsize crossover SUV, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though its performance was somewhat hindered by the CVT's droning and soft simulated gear changes. The model's all-wheel drive and specialized suspension and traction systems made it highly capable off-road, with improved approach, breakover, and departure angles, as well as a dual function X-Mode traction system.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, with the GLE 450e featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing the GLE 450e to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in approximately 5.5 seconds. Fuel economy was impressive, with an estimated 4.1 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres in hybrid mode. The GLE 450e's electric mode allowed for silent highway driving at speeds up to 140 km/h. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the suspension provided a smooth and comfortable ride, even on rough roads.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark grey StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant but could become uncomfortable in hot weather. The front seats were heated, with the driver's seat offering 10-way power adjustment. Rear seat space was generous, with ample head and legroom, rear air conditioning vents, and dual USB charging ports. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback Wilderness also boasted a robust roof rack with a 700-pound static load rating, ideal for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with generous headroom and legroom in both the first and second rows. The GLE 450e featured power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. Cargo space was 630 litres behind the second row, with the option for a third-row seat in certain trims. The GLE's interior was equipped with numerous comfort features, including a Burmester surround-sound audio system, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. The cabin was designed for luxury and convenience, with a focus on high-quality materials and advanced technology.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which integrated climate control and dominated the centre dashboard. While physical knobs and buttons were available for basic functions, most controls required the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was less intuitive, making Apple CarPlay and Android Auto preferable options. Despite its target demographic, the Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other Outback trims.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main touchscreen. The system was user-friendly, though it required some time to master its extensive features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an improved "Hey Mercedes" voice command system. The GLE also offered an optional head-up display and augmented reality navigation, enhancing the driving experience with clear and convenient features.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness also featured steering-responsive LED headlights, a blind-spot warning system, and rear cross-traffic warning. While crash-test results for the Wilderness were unavailable, the standard Outback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive lineup of active safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Optional features included active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and evasive steering assist. The GLE's safety systems were unobtrusive and effective, contributing to its Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2022 model year.