2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Hyundai Palisade

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade, Hyundai's largest SUV, had a commanding presence on the road, further enhanced by its 2023 styling update. The new front fascia, with its bold strokes and squared-off grille, gave the Palisade a stronger and more assertive look. Standard LED accents, daytime running lights, and headlights added to its modern appeal, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured premium rear accent lighting and a unique grille. The Palisade's body-colour mirrors, heated and powered across all trims, added a touch of sophistication. The new multi-spoke alloy wheels, standard in Canada, conveyed a premium feel, especially in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which also introduced a new colour, Robust Emerald, adding a subtle elegance to the lineup. Inside, the Palisade's interior was stylish and bright, thanks to the dual-pane sunroof. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim boasted premium Nappa leather, while other trims offered leatherette or cloth seats. The Palisade accommodated up to eight passengers, with second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims, enhancing comfort and versatility.

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. Standard LED headlights and optional multi-beam LED headlights added to its allure. The GLE 450e, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, exuded elegance. Inside, the GLE 450e's interior was a testament to luxury, with Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery complemented by natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide range of interior colour choices and trims, ensuring a high-quality cabin experience. The GLE's interior was spacious and comfortable, with generous headroom and legroom in both the first and second rows. The optional third-row seat was limited to certain trims and best suited for young children. The GLE 450e came equipped with numerous comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain was competitive within its class, offering more power than the Mazda CX-9 and Volkswagen Atlas, and slightly more than the Honda Pilot and Nissan Pathfinder. The Palisade's eight-speed automatic transmission, with standard paddle shifters, provided smooth gear changes. In Canada, the Palisade came with standard all-wheel drive, and its HTRAC system proved capable during off-road tests. While not designed for rock-crawling, the Palisade offered a comfortable ride and impressive towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). Its fuel economy was rated at 12.6 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.5 on the highway, and 11.2 combined.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, catering to various SUV shoppers. The GLE 450e, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and electric motor, produced a combined output of 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This power was delivered to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450e accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in approximately 5.5 seconds, providing swift performance. Its 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 ride, even on rough roads. The GLE's sophisticated steering made it easy to maneuver, and its overall performance exceeded expectations.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade offered ample space for passengers and cargo. With seating for seven or eight, it provided 1,052 millimetres of legroom in the front row, 1,077 in the second, and 798 in the third. The Palisade's passenger volume measured 4,397 litres, and its cargo space ranged from 509 litres behind the third row to 2,447 litres with all but the front-row seats folded flat. The Palisade featured a hands-free smart liftgate, HVAC vents in all three rows, and a well-organized centre console with cupholders and storage space. The interior layout was intuitive, with physical buttons and knobs for easy operation.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided a spacious and comfortable cabin for five passengers. The GLE 450e offered generous headroom and legroom, and its light beige upholstery contributed to an airy feel. The GLE's outward visibility was excellent, enhancing the driving experience. Behind the 40/20/40 split-folding second row, the GLE offered 630 litres of cargo space. While the optional third-row seat was limited to certain trims, it was best suited for young children. The GLE 450e came equipped with numerous comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with a range of luxury features enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade impressed with its technology offerings. A 12.3-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system was standard, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The premium 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was standard in higher trims. The Palisade's digital instrument cluster, available in Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy models, provided clear information. Hyundai's Bluelink connected vehicle system allowed remote access and management, including remote start presets and seat heating or cooling.

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, with 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 voice command system. The optional head-up display and augmented reality navigation were praised for their clarity and convenience. The GLE's technology offerings enhanced the driving experience, though some features required a learning curve.

The 2023 Hyundai Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came equipped with Hyundai's Smart Sense suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, driver attention warning, high beam assist, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot collision avoidance and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance were standard on all trims. The Palisade also featured adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and a full-display digital rearview mirror. Safe exit warning and rear seat occupant alert were standard, enhancing safety for all passengers.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive lineup of active safety features and driver assistance technologies. Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and pedestrian detection. Optional features included active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The GLE's safety systems were unobtrusive during everyday driving, providing peace of mind. The current generation of GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS based on the 2022 model year.