2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

Identifying the aesthetic changes in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class might have been a bit challenging, but subtle modifications made a significant impact. The vehicle sported sharper headlights and taillights, along with new black fender flares over the wheel arches. The grille had nifty chrome inserts, and the optional AMG Line package on the tester model was particularly attractive, featuring a distinct grille that added sportiness to the exterior. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to optional 21-inch wheels, providing an imposing stance on the road.

The 2024 GLE Coupe, though only available in the uber-sporty Mercedes-AMG guise, offered a striking appearance, albeit with reduced interior space, making it a choice for those seeking a blend of style and performance.

The interior of the GLE-Class remained distinctly Mercedes-Benz. Although it didn't match the futuristic vibe of newer all-electric EQ models, it still boasted plenty of leather and soft-touch surfaces. The available open-pore walnut trim was a standout feature, although our tester’s pairing with Bahia Brown seating surfaces gave the cabin a retro feel reminiscent of a 1970s wood-paneled rec room. Opting for lighter leather choices would remedy this design concern.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a dramatic shift in aesthetic direction, diverging from the sleek, futuristic designs of recent Hyundai models like the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. The Santa Fe embraced a boxy shape, which Hyundai's design chief, SangYup Lee, described as optimal for storage capacity, aiming to make this box both elegant and premium-looking.

Despite its unconventional design, the Santa Fe exuded an upscale look that drew considerable attention. This was particularly evident during a test drive in rural Tennessee, where the vehicle turned heads and received admiring glances from locals. A sophisticated palette of exterior colors, including matte options and anodized-finish badging, amplified its premium appeal. Different trims offered varying wheel sizes, from standard 18-inch alloy wheels to 20-inch wheels on the Limited and Hybrid Calligraphy versions, and 21-inch wheels on the gas-only Calligraphy.

Inside, the Santa Fe showcased premium styling, especially in the all-terrain XRT and loaded Calligraphy trims. While some surfaces like door panels in the Calligraphy were made of harder materials, their integration was done thoughtfully, offset by plenty of softly-padded areas such as armrests and windowsills. The soothing fabric covering the headliner added a touch of decadence.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offered several powertrain options. The entry-level GLE 350 featured 255 horsepower, the mid-line GLE 450 included a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the top-tier GLE 580 boasted a 4.0-liter V8. All of these were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Our test vehicle was the new 450e, a plug-in hybrid model, which we found to strike a perfect balance between performance and efficiency.

The GLE 450e’s 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine delivered 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. While it outperformed the GLE 350 and GLE 450 in sheer power, it was approximately half a second slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450, due to the added weight of its 23.3-kWh battery. Mercedes claimed the battery could store enough energy for 48 miles of all-electric driving, although our test showed a pleasantly surprising 55 miles after a full charge.

The car defaulted to all-electric mode on startup if the battery was charged, but it could easily be set to Hybrid mode or Battery Hold mode. The switch to the gas engine was smooth and went largely unnoticed. The 450e offered a Sport mode, but it didn't significantly enhance driving dynamics, which were more focused on comfort rather than sportiness.

With an 11-kW onboard charger, the 450e could be charged to 100 percent in under three hours using a Level 2 home charger. It also supported a 60-kW DC fast charge, making long trips more convenient.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe’s base powertrain was a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 277 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) was standard, with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option on most trims, except for the soft-off-road-focused XRT trim, which came with AWD as standard.

The Santa Fe included Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with Sport mode enhancing throttle response and steering for a sportier feel. The XRT trim added off-road modes and settings.

Later in the model year, a hybrid option with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission would become available, offering an estimated combined 231 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque.

Fuel economy for the base FWD versions was EPA-rated at 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined, while AWD versions had slightly lower ratings. The XRT model, with its additional ground clearance and larger tires, saw even lower ratings of 19/26/22 mpg. The hybrid version boasted impressive fuel economy, with the FWD model rated at 36 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined, and the AWD model slightly lower.

On the road, the Santa Fe Calligraphy offered smooth and stable driving dynamics, though it exhibited notable body roll through turns. The XRT trim demonstrated commendable off-road capability, comparable to SUVs like the Kia Telluride X-Pro and Subaru Forester Wilderness, handling moderately challenging terrains with ease.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class compensated for any deficiency in driving dynamics with an abundance of interior luxuries. Standard heated front seats could be upgraded to include ventilation and massage functions. The heated and cooled cup holders catered to both hot and cold beverages, providing added convenience. Customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors were among the features that elevated the cabin’s tranquility, alongside the premium Burmester stereo system.

However, the non-extendable sun visors were a notable downside, especially for a luxury SUV. The GLE-Class had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and included innovative Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology, simplifying trailer management.

Cargo space in the GLE 450e was 31.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded down. Non-PHEV models offered slightly more cargo space.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's design focused heavily on cargo capacity, inspired by the Korean concept of “chabak” (car-stay). It featured a wheelbase and body that were about two inches longer than the previous generation, with the increased space predominantly allocated to the cargo area. The wide tailgate facilitated car camping and tailgating, with plenty of storage to keep things organized.

Despite its emphasis on cargo, the Santa Fe didn't skimp on passenger comfort. The first and second rows were spacious, though the third row was snug, suitable only for occasional use. The second row offered a choice between a bench or reclining captain’s chairs, and seating materials varied by trim level, ranging from stain-resistant cloth to plush quilted Nappa leather.

The Santa Fe provided 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats up, expanding to 40.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 79.6 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. Optional roof rails supported 220 pounds and included a grab handle for easier cargo loading. Top trims introduced innovative features like a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the latest version of Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system, showcased on another 12.3-inch screen. Although smaller than displays in some other Mercedes models, the screen was functional, with a user-friendly menu structure and a touchpad on the center console for alternative control. Voice commands were easily activated by saying, “Hey, Mercedes.”

A standout feature was the augmented reality navigation system, which overlaid numerical addresses and animated turn arrows on the video feed, making navigation easier and more precise. The off-road page in the MBUX system provided useful information for those interested in off-roading, though unlikely often used for that purpose.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but our test model faced connectivity issues with the iPhone. USB-C ports with up to 100W power kept devices charged.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe interior featured a curved panoramic display across XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims. This design element was both elegant and practical, housing a touchscreen with intuitive controls, crisp graphics, and essential features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The infotainment system included a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, along with six USB ports. Lower trims had a functional 12.3-inch touchscreen with necessary features and four USB ports. All but the base SE trim included wireless charging, with the Calligraphy trim offering dual wireless chargers.

Hyundai’s BlueLink system allowed for vehicle access and information via smartphone, replacing the physical key fob in higher trims. Hyundai Pay, introduced in late 2023, provided secure, automatic payment for partnered services, enhancing user convenience. The Santa Fe also introduced Hyundai’s first biometric fingerprint scanner for added security and convenience.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class was packed with advanced driver aids, although many features required additional payment. Standard blind-spot monitoring could be upgraded to active monitoring with the Driver Assistance Package Plus, which also included lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist. The adaptive cruise control was particularly effective.

The GLE had a five-star side crash and four-star rollover rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though it hadn't received an overall or frontal crash rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the GLE top ratings in crashworthiness and crash avoidance, with a “Good” score across categories and an “Acceptable” headlight rating for models equipped with the Digital Light package.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had yet to be crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA, but Hyundai vehicles generally performed well in safety evaluations. The SE trim came standard with a suite of advanced safety features, including a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.

Moving up the trim levels added more advanced safety tech. The SEL trim included an enhanced rear-occupant reminder system and forward-attention warning. The XRT trim featured Hyundai’s highway hands-free driving system, while the Limited trim boasted a comprehensive 360-degree camera system, blind-spot view monitor, and other advanced features. The Calligraphy trim introduced a widescreen head-up display (HUD) and upgraded blind-spot and forward collision avoidance systems.

Notably, the Santa Fe included driver monitoring across the lineup, combining infrared cameras and capacitive sensors to track driver alertness and hand positioning on the steering wheel, ensuring enhanced safety.