2024 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its distinctive styling, setting it apart from the typical family-friendly SUVs. While its design might not have appealed to everyone, those who appreciated its aesthetics likely found other aspects of the vehicle equally appealing. In Canada, the Palisade was available in two trims: Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy, with the latter offering a luxurious feel thanks to features like an artificial suede headliner, quality upholstery, and sophisticated interior elements.

In contrast, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, maintained a unique identity within the Mercedes lineup. It shared some visual bulk with other models but featured a more rounded profile reminiscent of its predecessors. The GLE's styling, while not the most handsome, adhered closely to the brand's design language, ensuring it was unmistakably a Mercedes. The interior offered a variety of colours and upscale features, such as chunky air vents, a Burmester audio system, and ambient lighting, creating a luxurious atmosphere.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade was equipped with a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, all-wheel drive was standard, and the SUV boasted a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The Palisade offered several driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Smart, and Snow, and its AWD system could be locked for off-road conditions. Despite its firm suspension, the Palisade provided a comfortable ride and displayed surprising agility on winding roads. However, its real-world fuel economy was less impressive, averaging 15.0 L/100 km in Comfort mode.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrain options, starting with the GLE 350's 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The GLE 450 4Matic featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 375 horsepower, while the GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist for 381 horsepower. The AMG GLE 53 and AMG GLE 63 S performance models delivered 429 and 603 horsepower, respectively. Despite its impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger than it was, making it less nimble in tight spaces. Its adaptive air suspension and active anti-roll system couldn't fully compensate for its size, impacting maneuverability.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade offered a comfortable and well-equipped interior, with premium Nappa leather upholstery in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. Standard features included heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a dual-panel sunroof. The Palisade provided ample storage options and a spacious second row, with captain's chairs available. The third row was more comfortable than most rivals, and the hands-free power tailgate added convenience. Cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row and up to 2,447 litres with seats folded.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE came in two-row and three-row configurations, though third-row space specs were not published. The GLE offered competitive headroom and legroom, with slightly more space for second-row passengers compared to rivals. Cargo space was 894 litres behind the second row, expanding to 1,790 litres with seats folded. The GLE's centre console provided reasonable storage, and its towing capacity reached 3,500 kilograms. Despite its spaciousness, the GLE's visibility was limited, and its sporty front seats made entry and exit challenging.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB-A cable, while wireless charging was available in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The Palisade's voice recognition system worked well, though it struggled with specific music requests. Hyundai's Bluelink connected services offered remote engine starting and emergency assistance. The Harman Kardon sound system provided excellent audio quality, and additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror and a semi-autonomous remote parking system.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE boasted a pair of 12.3-inch screens for its digital instrument cluster and infotainment system, featuring the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interface could be accessed through various methods, including a touchpad and voice recognition. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe offered additional drive modes and settings, accessible via steering wheel dials. Some models included an off-road display and a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capabilities.

The 2024 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Highway Driving Assist was standard, offering adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA crash tests were incomplete.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of driver-assist features, with some available as options. Standard features included 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 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech received mixed ratings. NHTSA ratings were unavailable at the time of writing.