2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban had a long-standing reputation as an automotive institution, having been around for nearly 90 years. Despite its massive size, it managed to blend into traffic seamlessly, thanks to its familiar silhouette. Measuring 5,733 millimetres in length and 1,923 millimetres in height, the Suburban was not for everyone, especially those navigating urban environments. However, it catered to a specific market that valued its vast cargo space, passenger capacity, and towing capabilities. The Suburban was available in six trims, each offering a range of features from basic niceties like automatic windshield wipers and LED headlights to more luxurious options like leather upholstery and heated seats. Despite its high-end trims, some features like power running-board steps and a panoramic power moonroof were optional extras.

In contrast, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, offered a unique blend of visual bulk and a rounded profile reminiscent of its predecessors. The GLE's design featured squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille, giving it a wide stance, while the tapered side glass and rakish windshield added a touch of elegance. The GLE Coupe models, however, presented odd proportions with their bulky lower body and fastback-style roofline. Inside, the GLE stood out with its diverse interior colour options and upscale features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles, and 64-colour ambient lighting. The interior felt special, and the GLE's design adhered closely to the Mercedes brand, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine options: a 5.3-litre V8, a 6.2-litre V8, and a Duramax 3.0-litre turbodiesel six-cylinder. The 5.3-litre V8, standard on most trims, delivered 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 3,765 kilograms when equipped with the Max Trailering Package. The 6.2-litre V8, available on higher trims, produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, offering smoother acceleration. The diesel engine, with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, provided better fuel economy and was available at no extra cost on the High Country trim. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the Suburban's size was complemented by its well-tuned transmission and impressive steering and brakes.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered five powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG variants. The GLE 350 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The GLE 450 4Matic had a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, offering 80 kilometres of electric range. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ delivered 429 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, while the AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ boasted a 603-horsepower twin-turbo V8. Despite its impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger than it was, and maneuvering in tight spaces was challenging.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in cargo space, offering 1,175 litres behind the third row, 2,656 litres with the third row folded, and a maximum of 4,097 litres. This made it a top choice for those needing ample storage, surpassing competitors like the Ford Expedition Max and Jeep Wagoneer L. The Suburban's 106-litre fuel tank, combined with the diesel engine's efficiency, allowed for over 1,000 kilometres of highway driving between fill-ups.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row and three-row configurations, though Mercedes did not publish third-row space specs. The GLE offered competitive headroom and slightly more second-row legroom than rivals like the BMW X5 and Lexus RX. With 894 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,790 litres with all seats folded, the GLE provided ample storage. Its maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms was on par with the Audi Q7, making it a capable workhorse.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban featured a 10.2-inch touchscreen on all but the base LS trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The infotainment system included Google Built-in, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A rear-seat entertainment system was available as an option, but the 10-speaker Bose audio system lacked the richness of higher-end systems.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE boasted a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. The MBUX interface included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. The system could be accessed through various methods, including voice recognition. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe featured additional drive modes and settings, enhancing the driving experience. Off-road displays and a "transparent hood" function added to the GLE's versatility.

The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban received a four-star overall crash safety rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal crash tests, five in side-crash tests, and three in rollover tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered Super Cruise, a semi-autonomous driving system.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. The GLE earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech received mixed ratings.