2024 Genesis GV70 vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2024 Genesis GV70 distinguished itself within the Genesis lineup and its competitive set with its unique styling. It retained certain Genesis design elements like split headlights and a large shield-like grille for brand recognition, yet it was sleeker than the larger GV80 and avoided the quirky design of the smaller GV60. Notable features included a hatchback-like rear window profile, large round exhaust outlets on the Sport trim, and distinctive 21-inch wheels. The GV70 struck a balance between SUV size and luxury-car style, offering a more refined appearance compared to competitors like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. The Electrified GV70, recognized as the 2024 Canadian Electric Utility Vehicle of the Year, maintained the same styling as its gasoline counterpart, with a shiny grille housing the charge port for convenient charging. The interior was distinctive, featuring quilted Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and unique design elements like an elliptical pod for climate controls and a rotary infotainment controller.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, maintained a unique identity within the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. It shared some visual bulk with the GLS, GLC, and GLB but featured a more rounded profile reminiscent of previous generations. The GLE's styling included squared-off wheel arches, a horizontal grille, and headlights, creating a wide stance. However, the standard GLE SUV's proportions appeared odd, especially in the GLE Coupe models, where the bulky lower body contrasted with the fastback-style roofline. Despite its unconventional appearance, the GLE adhered to Mercedes' design orthodoxy, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz. The interior offered a variety of colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan, with features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles, and 64-colour ambient lighting, creating an upscale and special atmosphere.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD). A more powerful 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 was available, delivering 375 hp and 391 lb-ft. The Electrified GV70 featured front and rear electric motors producing a combined 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a 77.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack. A "Boost Mode" provided 483 hp for short bursts. While the GV70 offered strong straight-line acceleration, its chassis tuning didn't match the sportiness of rivals like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The GV70's suspension was reasonably comfortable but tended to crash over bumps. The Electrified model maintained similar dynamics despite its additional weight, offering adjustable regenerative braking for a customizable driving experience.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided a diverse range of powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG performance models. 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, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. The GLE 450 4Matic boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft, while the GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, offering 80 kilometres of electric range. The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ delivered 429 hp and 413 lb-ft, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds, while the AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ featured a 603 hp twin-turbo V8, reaching 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Despite impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger and less nimble than competitors, even with AMG chassis upgrades.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 offered competitive interior space, with slightly less headroom than the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but more front-seat legroom than the BMW and Mercedes. Second-row legroom was slightly more than the X3 but less than the Q5 and GLC. The GV70 provided 818 litres of cargo space with rear seats in place, surpassing the Mercedes' 620 litres and slightly exceeding the BMW's 812 litres, but falling short of the Audi's 835 litres. Folding the rear seats yielded 1,611 litres, less than its German rivals. The Electrified GV70 maintained similar interior space, with minor reductions in legroom and headroom. The stylish interior design limited small-item storage, but features like automatic side bolsters in Sport mode added a touch of luxury.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though third-row space specs were not published. The GLE provided similar headroom to rivals but slightly less legroom than the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. The high seating position offered an SUV-like feel, but visibility was limited. Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitors, with additional legroom compared to the BMW X5, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX. The GLE offered 894 litres of cargo space behind the second row, competitive but less than the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, it provided 1,790 litres, the most among its competitors. The GLE's centre console offered reasonable small-item storage, and its towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms matched the Audi Q7.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 featured a straightforward infotainment system with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Lower trims had an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, while higher grades offered a 12.3-inch unit with a 3D effect. A 12-inch head-up display and a 16-speaker Lexicon audio system were available. The touchscreen had an intuitive layout, and a rotary controller on the centre console provided an alternative interface. A fingerprint scanner allowed for individual driver profiles, but digital key functionality was not available for the GV70 in Canada.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, creating a continuous horizontal display. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad, steering wheel touchpads, and voice recognition, provided flexibility. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe offered additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. Some GLE models featured an off-road display and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capability.

The 2024 Genesis GV70 received the IIHS's highest Top Safety Pick+ award for both gasoline and Electrified models. The NHTSA published four-star frontal and rollover crash-test ratings for gasoline models, with the 2023 GV70 receiving a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and Highway Driving Assist. The optional Highway Driving Assist 2 system added automated lane-change capability and blind-spot monitoring. Genesis also offered a safe exit assist function and a radar-based rear occupant alert system.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, though some were optional. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, crosswind assist, parking assist, a driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The Pre-Safe system aimed to mitigate collision effects by tightening seatbelts and closing windows. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and expanded driver-monitoring capabilities. The GLE received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings.