2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2025 Buick Enclave

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured subtle yet impactful aesthetic updates. Its sharper headlights and taillights, along with black fender flares, added a touch of modernity. The grille, enhanced with chrome inserts, contributed to its refined look. The optional AMG Line package provided a sportier appearance with a distinct grille and larger wheel options. Inside, the cabin maintained the classic Mercedes-Benz luxury with leather and soft-touch surfaces, though the combination of Bahia Brown seating and walnut trim was less appealing. The GLE coupe, available in the AMG guise, offered a sportier design but with reduced interior space.

In contrast, the 2025 Buick Enclave presented a bold and modern exterior, reminiscent of the Envista. Its slim DRLs, angular grille, and high beltline gave it a sharp look, though it appeared more generic from the side. The Enclave's design was more streamlined with fewer creases and a flatter roof. Inside, it boasted a modern and premium feel with a floating center console and a large curved display. The seats, trimmed in perforated leatherette with contrast piping, elevated the interior's appeal. However, the limited sunroof availability was a drawback, especially for the base trim.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of powertrains, including the GLE 350 with 255 horsepower, the GLE 450 with a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the GLE 580 with a 4.0-liter V8. The 450e plug-in hybrid, however, stood out with its 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. Despite its power, the 450e was slightly slower to 60 mph than the GLE 450 due to its battery weight. It offered an impressive electric range of up to 55 miles and featured a smooth transition between electric and gas modes. The 450e's driving dynamics were comfortable but not sporty, with light steering and body roll.

The 2025 Buick Enclave came with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered both FWD and AWD options. The Enclave's fuel economy was slightly reduced with AWD, and it could tow up to 5,000 pounds. The vehicle's Active Noise Cancellation was effective for road noise but less so for engine noise unless upgraded. The Enclave drove like a full-size vehicle, with loose steering at lower speeds, which was typical for its class.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in interior luxuries, offering heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, along with heated and cooled cup holders. The cabin was quiet, featuring customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors. It could tow up to 7,700 pounds and offered 31.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 74.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the non-extending sun visors were a minor inconvenience.

The 2025 Buick Enclave provided eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. It featured captain's chairs in the second row, accommodating up to seven passengers. The Avenir trim added heated second-row seats and front seat ventilation. Tri-zone climate control was standard, and the power-folding third-row seats were available on higher trims. The Enclave offered 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE came with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and the MBUX infotainment system. While the screen was smaller than some other Mercedes models, it was user-friendly with voice control and a touchpad. The augmented reality navigation system was a standout feature, providing helpful overlays. However, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto had connectivity issues during testing.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker option for the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with Google Built-In and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The seamless integration was occasionally interrupted during smartphone projection.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered advanced driver aids, with standard blind-spot monitoring and optional features like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. It received a five-star side crash rating and a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded it top scores in crashworthiness and crash avoidance.

The 2025 Buick Enclave included standard safety features like blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. HD Surround Vision was standard, with additional camera views available. Super Cruise was an optional feature, providing hands-free driving technology. The 2024 model received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and mixed ratings from the IIHS.