2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2024 Chevrolet Trax

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax received a dramatic transformation that had almost made calling it by the same name seem inadequate. It shared little in common with the previous, less stylish model other than its badge. Following design principles reminiscent of the golden era of GM's design in the 1950s and 1960s, the Trax grew 11 inches longer, nearly six inches in wheelbase, dropped four inches in height, and spanned two inches wider than its predecessor. The new Trax borrowed styling cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer, boasting a prominent grille and distinctive step between its rear body sides and windows, creating an imposing presence for a small vehicle. This set it apart from the boxier Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks.

The base Trax LS rolled on 17-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Trax featured design-focused trims like the Activ and RS. The Activ aimed for a rugged look with subtle details like faux skid plates on the bumpers. The RS trim aimed for a sportier look, drawing a closer resemblance to the Blazer but with a blacked-out trim giving it a leaner, meaner appearance.

Inside, the Trax LS featured a predominantly plastic interior with cloth upholstery, typical of entry-level models but enlivened by clever design elements. A minimalist dashboard layout housed a freestanding touchscreen and prominent round air vents, with most controls situated in a functional pod below the dash. Higher trims offered Evotex upholstery, which looked like activewear more than leather. Activ models featured bold yellow stitching, which didn’t always complement all exterior colors. Meanwhile, RS trims added piano-black plastic accents, including areas on the steering wheel vulnerable to smudging and heat absorption under sunlight.

On the other hand, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class presented subtler aesthetic updates with sharper headlights and taillights and added black fender flares over the wheel arches. Chrome inserts adorned the grille, and the optional AMG Line package enhanced sportiness with a distinctive grille and 19-inch standard wheels, upgradable to 21-inch options. For buyers seeking a sleeker look, the GLE coupe in the high-performance AMG guise provided similar features with less interior space.

Inside, the GLE exuded luxury typical of Mercedes-Benz but lacked the futuristic flair seen in newer EQ models. It featured generous leather and soft-touch surfaces. The available open-pore walnut trim was a highlight, although combined with Bahia Brown seats, it sometimes resembled an old-school rec room. Opting for lighter leather hues could evade this design faux pas. Overall, the GLE’s aesthetic aimed for understated elegance with a touch of retro charm.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax switched from its previous 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to a smaller 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. This new engine generated 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, slightly down from the predecessor's 155 hp and 177 lb-ft, but Chevy claimed the new Trax could accelerate to 60 mph about a second quicker. Drivers found the three-cylinder engine offered strong initial responses and worry-free highway overtakes, with minimal turbo lag. Still using a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2024 Trax was exclusively front-wheel drive, differentiating it from the Trailblazer, which offered all-wheel drive.

In terms of handling, the Trax’s wider track provided a more planted feel, enhancing driving confidence. It handled more like a small hatchback than a traditional crossover, offering nimble and predictable handling despite noticeable body roll and limited grip. Ride quality was somewhat rough, but the refined handling and standard active noise cancellation improved the overall driving experience.

For the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, buyers had several engine options: the base GLE 350 with 255 horsepower, the GLE 450 with a 3.0-liter inline-six, and the top-end GLE 580 with a 4.0-liter V8. However, the spotlight fell on the new 450e plug-in hybrid. This model combined a 2.0-liter turbo inline-four with an electric motor to deliver a combined 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Despite being slightly slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450 due to the battery’s weight, the 450e offered impressive efficiency and power.

The plug-in hybrid could travel an estimated 48 miles on electric power alone, and even achieved a reading of 55 miles on the gauge after a full charge. The switch between electric and gas engines was seamless and quiet, and drivers could easily alternate between driving modes. The car’s Sport mode, however, didn’t significantly enhance dynamics, and the 450e felt more comfort-oriented compared to sportier rivals like the BMW X5 xDrive50e. The 450e featured an 11-kW onboard charger, allowing a full charge in around three hours on a Level 2 home charger, and could also support 60-kW DC fast charging for efficient road trip recharges.

Despite being larger overall, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax didn't uniformly benefit in interior space gains. It offered three additional inches of rear-seat legroom and minor increases in front-seat legroom, but headroom decreased by 0.7 inches in the second row. Front-row headroom remained unchanged, and shoulder room in both rows was reduced. Passenger space was comparable to that in the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue. The Trax had an edge over its rivals in rear-seat legroom, though the Kicks offered more front-seat legroom and the Venue provided slightly more headroom.

Comfort was decent for the price range, with the Trax offering a more car-like driving position with low seating and excellent visibility. Cargo capacity improved by 12%, now at 25.6 cubic feet with the seats up and 54.1 cubic feet when folded, just edging past the Kicks and significantly beating the Venue.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, while less dynamic behind the wheel, compensated with luxurious interior features. Standard heated front seats could be upgraded to include ventilation and massage functions, alongside heated and cooled cup holders for optimal beverage comfort in transit. Additional amenities included customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and plush soft-close doors. A Burmester stereo system provided a high-quality audio experience.

However, a minor frustration was the lack of extendable sun visors, which did not enhance the upscale driving experience. The GLE excelled in towing, with a 7,700-pound capacity and the innovative Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology simplifying certain hitch maneuvers. Cargo space stood at 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded, which surpassed the Trax’s cargo capabilities.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant technology upgrades. The base models featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims boasted an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. This bundled with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and optional wireless phone charging, marked a technological leap for the Trax. The system’s screens were crisp and intuitive, though the driver-centric tilt of the main screen and placement of the volume knob inconvenient for passengers.

The digital instrument cluster mirrored main screen information and improved the user interface, compensating for the lack of a head-up display. The Trax also included multiple USB ports, with an additional USB-A and USB-C for rear passengers in higher trims.

Conversely, the GLE featured a 12.3-inch customizable digital gauge cluster as standard and the latest MBUX infotainment system, manageable via a touchpad or voice commands using “Hey, Mercedes.” Though the screen was smaller than those in other Mercedes models, it was sufficient and easy to navigate. The GLE had an available augmented reality navigation system, augmenting real-time video feeds with helpful overlays for precise navigation. MBUX’s off-road page provided extensive driving analytics, despite its limited use for most drivers. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though users experienced frequent disconnects with certain devices. Multiple USB-C ports ensured efficient device charging.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA at publication. Yet, it was equipped with a solid suite of driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front pedestrian braking. Optional features expanded this suite to include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Teen Driver system was standard, promoting safer habits and providing performance feedback for young drivers.

Similarly, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class contained numerous advanced driver aids, with standard blind-spot monitoring and optional features like active blind-spot intervention, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with steering assist and lane-change assist through the Driver Assistance Package Plus. This robust package enhanced safety considerably, though it came at a premium additional cost. The GLE earned mixed safety ratings, achieving top marks in crashworthiness and crash avoidance by IIHS, while garnering good scores for rollover and side crash performance from NHTSA. Some variants had room for improvement in headlight performance.