2023 Kia Sportage vs 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2023 Kia Sportage emerged with a completely redesigned look that was both exciting and exotic, drawing comparisons to French automakers like Renault and Citroen. Its standout features included bright boomerang-shaped daytime running lights and textured metal trim on the D Pillar, which added a touch of class to this compact crossover. The Sportage was available in five trim levels in Canada, starting with the LX trim, which offered front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as an option. Inside, Kia opted for synthetic leather upholstery, which, while durable, didn't quite match the feel of real leather. The cabin featured a large display dominating the dash, though some areas were more typical of the compact-crossover class, with hard-wearing plastic and piano-black finishes.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover that might have gone unnoticed by many. The GLE's design changes included clever Mercedes star logos on the grille and updated headlights and taillights. The GLE 450e, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, exuded sophistication. Inside, the GLE 450e's interior was a testament to luxury, featuring Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery with natural grain brown walnut trim. Mercedes offered a wide range of interior colour choices and trims, ensuring a high-quality and robust-looking cabin.

The 2023 Kia Sportage offered a 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While it provided slightly more power than the previous model, it lacked the punch of the previous turbocharged engine, which had delivered 240 horsepower. The Sportage's fuel economy was commendable, with figures of 9.3 L/100 km in the city and 7.4 on the highway for front-wheel drive models. The X-Line trim added rugged visual cues but didn't enhance off-road capabilities. However, the Sportage's 21 cm ground clearance made it capable for most off-pavement adventures.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines. The GLE 450e combined a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This power was sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission, allowing the GLE 450e to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 5.5 seconds. The GLE 450e's fuel economy was impressive, with an estimated 4.1 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres in hybrid mode. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the suspension provided a smooth ride even on rough roads.

The 2023 Kia Sportage, as a compact crossover, offered increased interior space compared to its predecessor. It featured 1,050 mm of rear-seat legroom and 966 mm of rear headroom, with a trunk capacity of 1,121 litres, expandable to 2,098 litres with the rear seats folded. The front seats provided ample storage space, and a panoramic sunroof was available. However, the Sportage's technology, including touch-sensitive HVAC controls, could be frustrating to use.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided generous headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, creating a light and airy cabin atmosphere. With 630 litres of cargo space behind the second row, it compared favourably to competitors like the BMW X5. The GLE's optional third-row seat was limited to certain trims and best suited for young children. Comfort features included power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sunroof. The GLE also boasted a range of luxury features, such as a Burmester surround-sound audio system and massaging front seats.

The 2023 Kia Sportage featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher trims, paired with a digital instrument cluster on the X-Line Limited. While the system was impressive, it had some quirks, such as wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on the top interface. The Sportage offered Bluetooth, keyless entry, and a wireless charger on higher trims, with a Harman Kardon audio system on the X-Line Limited.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens. The system was user-friendly but required a learning curve. 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 convenience and clarity.

The 2023 Kia Sportage came equipped with a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a backup camera. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. The X-Line Limited trim offered advanced safety features such as a blind-view monitor and highway driving assist. However, crash test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of review.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE boasted 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 IIHS for the 2022 model year, though crash tests for the 2024 model were pending.