2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint colour and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. Our test vehicle, finished in Eiger Grey with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, added to the vehicle's sophisticated appeal. The Range Rover Sport was available in various specifications, including Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and the sold-out SV Edition One. The test vehicle, a U.S.-spec Dynamic SE, featured heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and other amenities, pushing the MSRP beyond $120,000. Notable design elements included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology in the taillights, contributing to its aerodynamic profile with a drag coefficient of 0.29. The interior boasted a luxurious, high-tech appearance, with sustainable Ultrafabrics and Windsor leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover that might have gone unnoticed by many. The changes included clever Mercedes star logos on the front grille and updated headlights and taillights. Standard LED headlights and optional multi-beam LED headlights were available. The GLE 450e test vehicle, finished in Twilight Blue metallic with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, scored well in terms of aesthetics. 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 colour choices and trims, including brushed aluminum, black piano lacquer, gray oak, and brown linden wood. The GLE's cabin was considered one of the highest quality and most robust-looking in its segment.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography trim, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft. The sold-out SV Edition One offered a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine. A fully electric version was expected in 2024. The test vehicle's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, with a 0-100 km/h time of 5.7 seconds. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and an Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, with a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms. Fuel efficiency averaged 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres, with a suburban highway drive returning 9.4 L/100 km. The Range Rover Sport's new architecture increased torsional stiffness by 35%, and it featured adaptive damping air suspension, Dynamic driving mode, and various stability controls. While it excelled off-road, it struggled to match sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on twisty roads.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, with the AMG GLE 53 featuring a 3.0-litre turbo inline-six. The GLE 450e, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder and electric motor, produced 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 5.5 seconds. The GLE 450e's fuel economy was estimated at 4.1 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres, with a range of 77 kilometres on electric power. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, though the regenerative brakes occasionally felt numb. The GLE 450e's suspension absorbed road imperfections well, and its steering made it feel maneuverable despite its size. The GLE 450e's driving manners were considered superior to many competitors.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The cargo area offered 903 litres of space, expandable to 1,500 litres with the rear seats folded. Storage within the cabin was decent, with a deep bin under the centre armrest and a second bin under the sliding cupholder tray.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided ample space for adults in both the first and second rows, with generous headroom and legroom. The cabin had a light and airy feel, aided by the light beige upholstery. The GLE offered 630 litres of cargo space behind the second row, with an optional third-row seat available in certain trims. Comfort features included power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate. The GLE 450e test vehicle featured a Burmester surround-sound audio system, ventilated front seats, augmented reality navigation, and various other luxury amenities.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use. The SUV's native digital assistant struggled with voice commands, and the automatic driver exit assist feature was inconvenient. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument panel and infotainment system. The MBUX system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and an improved voice command system. The optional head-up display and augmented reality navigation were praised for their clarity. However, the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel could be inadvertently activated, causing the music volume to increase unexpectedly.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were found to be less responsive and trustworthy than expected.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered 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. Optional features included active blind-spot assist, active lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. The GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2022 model year.