2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a towering presence, nearly six-and-a-half feet tall and stretching 18 to 19 feet in length. With its three rows of leather seats and advanced electronics, the standard Escalade was impressive, while the Escalade ESV added 15 inches of length. This SUV, shared its massive platform with the Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, was made to stand out. Cadillac's design trick of using thin LED taillights, headlights, and running lights gave an illusion of a slimmer profile, while darkened chrome bits on the Sport Platinum trim further masked its mass. Six trims came standard with 22-inch wheels and towering taillights, while the V-Series stood out with quad exhaust tips, red brake calipers, and an open lower grille. Inside, the curved 38-inch screen array with various wood trims exuded luxury, though disappointment arose with the use of GM parts in areas like heated seat controls and shifters.

By contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class received subtle exterior updates for 2024 that were barely noticeable even to trained eyes. The new Mercedes star logos on the grille were a clever touch, and slight changes to the headlights and taillights rounded out the update. The GLE 450e test model, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with $1,100 21-inch AMG wheels, looked sleek and filled the wheel wells nicely. The interior of the GLE 450e was equally elegant, with a blend of Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery, natural grain brown walnut trim, and an overall luxurious feel. Mercedes offered a rich choice of interior and exterior design options, though our tester had a particularly classy and robust cabin. Overall, the GLE-Class looked suave and sophisticated, exuding a sort of quiet luxury.

Driving the 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a pleasure, though the standard 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine, delivering 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, was more suited to gentle cruising than spirited driving. Towing capabilities reached up to 8,200 pounds, but the Escalade felt heavy, seeming less sprightly than rivals. The supercharged Corvette V8 in the Escalade-V, boasting 682 hp and 653 lb-ft, addressed acceleration issues but felt like overkill. The optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6, with torque matching the regular V8 delivered a smooth experience, though its 277 hp was modest. The magnetic dampers and optional air suspension on higher trims enhanced maneuverability, yet wind noise at highway speeds detracted from the overall luxury feel.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class had a powertrain for every SUV shopper, starting at roughly $63,805. The range included turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, peaking with a twin-turbo V8 producing 603 hp in the AMG GLE 63 S. Our GLE 450e tester, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motor generating 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, felt swift with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. This model offered an estimated 40 miles of EV range, handling highway speeds silently in electric mode and transitioning seamlessly between gas and electric power. The suspension was supple even on challenging roads, serving an incredibly quiet cabin. The GLE’s precise steering made it feel nimble despite its 196-inch length, while the AMG models offered even sharper handling.

The Cadillac Escalade boasted the most space-efficient interior among large SUVs. It offered 25 cubic feet behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and a massive 121 cubic feet with both rows down—more than even the long-wheelbase Lincoln Navigator L. The Escalade ESV took it further with 143 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. The independent rear suspension provided generous headroom and legroom in every row, accommodating six adults comfortably. Controls were intuitive, with a smart touchscreen system and practical features like a front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps. However, the absence of powered second-row seats was a minor inconvenience.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class provided ample space for five adults in its first and second rows. Behind the 40/20/40 split-folding second row lay 33 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than the BMW X5 but more than the Cadillac XT6 and Volvo XC90. The optional third-row seat, available in the GLE 350 and GLE 450, was cramped and best suited for children. The GLE 450e offered luxurious touches, including power-adjustable heated front seats, a dual-zone climate control, and a power liftgate. Options like the Exclusive and Pinnacle trims added ventilated front seats, Burmester audio systems, massaging front seats, and more, creating a highly customizable and comfortable experience.

Cadillac’s Escalade stood out with its expansive OLED screens across the dash, displaying sharp graphics and high-resolution feeds, including augmented reality navigation directly in the driver’s field of view. Super Cruise, a $2,500 option, was the best hands-free highway driving system available. It monitored the driver’s attention with infrared cameras, operating across 200,000 miles of U.S. highways with minimal intervention. Cadillac’s night vision with pedestrian detection added another layer of safety, while the 36-speaker AKG audio system and massaging front seats elevated the in-car experience.

The GLE-Class featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main infotainment interface. Operable by touch, console control pad, or steering wheel buttons, the system was user-friendly but required time to master all its features. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with the refined "Hey Mercedes" voice command system, enhanced convenience. The augmented reality navigation and head-up display were praised for their clarity. However, the touch-sensitive steering wheel control could accidentally increase the radio volume during maneuvers, a minor annoyance in an otherwise high-tech system.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with lower scores for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a Safety Alert seat, rear parking sensors, and a rear seat reminder. Optional safety features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Super Cruise.

The 2024 GLE-Class came standard with a comprehensive array of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, hands-free park assist, rain-sensing wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention monitor. The optional $1,950 Driver Assistance package added active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, traffic sign recognition, and evasive steering assist, adding an extra layer of protection. These features operated smoothly and unobtrusively, enhancing daily driving safety.