2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2023 Mazda CX-50

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 showcased a design that was both familiar and fresh. Its styling, characterized by a blunt nose, long hood, and rakish windshield, maintained the subtle seductiveness typical of Mazda's vehicles over the past decade. However, the CX-50 introduced a rugged appeal with its blistered and boxed fender swells, bold lower body cladding, and faux skid plates. The oversized air intake and vent designs added a performance edge without being visually overwhelming. When combined with the standard black grille, mirror caps, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels, the CX-50's exterior elements created an attractive package. The introduction of the CX-50 Meridian Edition later in the model year, with exclusive wheels, all-terrain tires, and a roof-mounted load platform, further enhanced its adventurous persona.

Inside, the CX-50 continued Mazda's tradition of driver-focused design, featuring a mix of quality materials, polished metallic trim, and a combination of analog and digital gauges. The interior, dressed in black leather with caramel-coloured accent stitching, offered a sophisticated look. However, the dashboard's lone off-centre vent appeared somewhat out of place. Despite this, the overall interior design was appealing, with higher trims offering a terracotta upholstery option. The CX-50's cabin was a testament to Mazda's commitment to creating a visually pleasing and functional space.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a subtle exterior makeover that might have gone unnoticed by many. The changes were minimal, with the most notable being the clever Mercedes star logos on the front grille and slight modifications to the headlights and taillights. The GLE 450e test vehicle, finished in Twilight Blue metallic and equipped with 21-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, presented a handsome and refined appearance. The interior of the GLE 450e exuded luxury, featuring a combination of Macchiato beige and black leather upholstery with natural grain brown walnut trim. The leather added a touch of elegance, and the cabin offered a wide range of interior colour choices and trims, ensuring a high-quality and robust look.

The GLE's interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The light beige upholstery contributed to a light and airy feel, while the generous outward visibility was a notable advantage. The GLE's cargo space, at 630 litres behind the second row, compared favourably with competitors, although it fell short of some three-row SUVs. The optional third-row seat was limited to certain trims and was best suited for young children. Overall, the GLE's interior was a testament to Mercedes-Benz's commitment to luxury and comfort.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered two engine options, catering to different preferences. The entry-level GS-L and GT trims featured a 187-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 186 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided commendable fuel efficiency, with consumption figures of 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 7.9 on the highway, and 8.9 combined. For those seeking more power and increased towing capacity, the CX-50 GT Turbo trim was the ideal choice. It boasted a turbocharged version of the standard engine, producing between 227 hp and 256 hp, depending on the fuel used. Torque ranged from 310 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm on 87-octane gas to 320 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm on 93-octane fuel. The turbocharged engine delivered smooth acceleration across a broad power curve, with minimal turbo lag. The CX-50's Mi-Drive system offered Normal, Sport, Off-Road, and Towing modes, ensuring natural vehicle behaviour in various conditions. The CX-50's ride quality was slightly firmer compared to the CX-5, and it exhibited a hint of torque steer during tight turns. Despite this, the CX-50 felt more like a modern station wagon with a higher ride height, offering a unique driving experience.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE, on the other hand, provided a range of powertrain options to suit different preferences. The GLE 450e, in particular, occupied a sweet spot in terms of acceleration, suspension tuning, handling, and fuel economy. It featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The power was sent to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450e accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in approximately 5.5 seconds, providing swift and confident performance. The estimated fuel economy for the GLE 450e was 4.1 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres, with a range of 77 kilometres on electric power alone. The transition between gas and electric power was seamless, and the suspension offered a supple and comfortable ride. The GLE's steering was sophisticated, making it easy to manoeuvre despite its size. Overall, the GLE 450e delivered an impressive performance, combining power, efficiency, and comfort.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 offered a well-equipped interior with features designed for comfort and convenience. The GT Turbo trim came with power-adjustable heated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, and heated windshield wipers, making it ready for winter conditions. Ventilated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control ensured comfort in warmer weather. The driver's seat and front passenger's seat were comfortable for long journeys, although additional side bolstering would have been beneficial. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, and the nearly 90-degree opening rear doors facilitated easy entry and exit. While storage space was adequate, there were missed opportunities for additional storage bins. The available power rear liftgate revealed 889 litres of cargo space, with a maximum capacity of 1,595 litres. The CX-50's cargo area offered a long load floor, although it was narrow between the wheel wells.

In contrast, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided a spacious and comfortable interior with seating for five. The GLE 450e offered generous headroom and legroom, and the light beige upholstery contributed to a light and airy feel. The cabin's outward visibility was a notable advantage, enhancing the overall driving experience. The GLE's cargo space, at 630 litres behind the second row, compared favourably with competitors, although it fell short of some three-row SUVs. The optional third-row seat was limited to certain trims and was best suited for young children. The GLE 450e came equipped with a range of comfort features, including power-adjustable heated front seats with memory function, dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and a power liftgate. The interior was further enhanced by a Burmester surround-sound audio system, ventilated front seats, and a host of other luxury features.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 featured the Mazda Connect infotainment system, which included wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Mazda Connected Services. The system was displayed on a 10.25-inch screen, although it lacked touchscreen functionality for Mazda Connect's native interface. Instead, users had to rely on centre console buttons, steering wheel controls, or voice recognition, which could be frustrating at times. However, Mazda offered touchscreen control for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, providing a more user-friendly experience. The available Bose 12-speaker Centerpoint surround-sound system delivered a satisfying audio experience. The CX-50 also offered an Active Driving Display, projecting important information within the driver's line of sight.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE, on the other hand, featured the Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with a pair of 12.3-inch screens serving as the digital instrument panel and main touchscreen. The system was user-friendly, although it required some time to fully understand its features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an improved "Hey Mercedes" voice command system. The optional head-up display and augmented reality navigation were praised for their clarity and convenience. However, the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel could be inadvertently activated, causing minor inconveniences.

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 received a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), although it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ designation due to certain headlight configurations and night-time pedestrian collision avoidance results. The CX-50 came with a comprehensive package of standard driving assistance systems, including active blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centring capability. However, the adaptive cruise control occasionally failed to recognize slower vehicles cutting into the gap ahead, requiring manual intervention.

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE, on the other hand, 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 with stop-and-go capability. The GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS based on the 2022 model year, although crash tests for the 2024 model had not been completed at the time of publication.