2024 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas underwent a styling refresh that enhanced its original design, dating back to the Volkswagen CrossBlue concept from 2013. This update introduced new lighting elements, including light-up VW logos similar to those on the ID.4 electric crossover. The front logo illuminated in white, while the rear logo shone red. A front light bar connected to the daytime running lights, which were part of the new LED headlights reminiscent of those on a Ford Expedition. These subtle changes gave the Atlas a fresh "face," emphasizing American swagger over European influences. At the rear, the taillights seamlessly blended into a full-width light bar housing the illuminated logo. All trim levels received new wheel designs, with the Comfortline base model featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, the Highline 20-inch wheels, and the Execline 21-inch wheels with sportier styling elements. The Atlas Peak Edition joined the lineup, offering a more rugged appearance with black 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and unique exterior trim.

Inside, the Atlas received a revised look, focusing on the centre of the cabin. The infotainment touchscreen was now freestanding, and the shifter was reduced to a tiny toggle, creating more space and allowing for an arched console with storage underneath. While this made the interior more functional, the contrast between the minimalist interior and the truck-like exterior was somewhat jarring. Volkswagen aimed to make the interior feel more upscale, with improved fake wood trim and a new weaved plastic trim simulating carbon fibre. Leatherette seats were standard, with leather upholstery and contrast stitching available on Highline models. The Execline model featured diamond stitching, combining silver stitching with black upholstery for a stylish look. However, some stitching areas, like the centre console, appeared less refined, and the overall material quality seemed more fitting for a base model than the top-of-the-line Execline.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned for the 2020 model year and facelifted for 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 and its M-Class predecessor. Below the beltline, squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille and headlights gave the GLE a wide stance, contrasting with sharply tapering side glass and a rakish windshield and back window. These design elements created odd proportions on the standard GLE SUV, further exaggerated on GLE Coupe models. While not the most visually striking model in the Mercedes lineup, the GLE adhered closely to the brand's design language, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz.

Mercedes offered a range of interior colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan. The U.S. test car featured a Yacht Blue interior, unavailable in Canada, but the GLE's interior still impressed with its upscale feel. Chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system, and 64-colour ambient lighting transformed the cabin into a vibrant space. The interior exuded a sense of luxury and specialness, making it a standout feature of the GLE.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas saw a reduction in powertrain options, leaving only a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine. This engine, an iteration of VW's EA888, produced 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on regular fuel. It replaced the previous VR6 engine, which delivered 276 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The new turbo-four engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD) in Canada. The additional torque, peaking at 1,550 rpm, made the 2024 Atlas quicker than the six-cylinder 2023 model, with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of approximately 8.5 seconds. While not a performance powerhouse, the Atlas prioritized comfort and efficiency, with the engine providing smooth acceleration to highway speeds. However, it generated more noise than thrust. Ride quality remained consistent with the pre-refresh model, and the Peak Edition added all-terrain tires and an Offroad driving mode, although the 4Motion AWD system was primarily designed for pavement. The Atlas had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds), standard in Canada, matching most rivals but falling short of the Nissan Pathfinder's 2,720 kilograms (6,000 pounds).

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a diverse range of powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two sporty AMG variants. The lineup began with the GLE 350, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The GLE 450 4Matic boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with a mild hybrid system, delivering 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. 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+ featured an uprated inline-six powertrain, generating 429 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. The AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ showcased a hand-assembled twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, producing 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds. The GLE 63 S Coupe delivered exhilarating stoplight launches, accompanied by a V8 soundtrack reminiscent of NASCAR and Darth Vader. While other powertrains were commendable, the GLE 450's inline-six stood out for its smoothness. Despite its impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger than it was, even in AMG spec, with adaptive air suspension and an active anti-roll system unable to make it nimble on backroads. Maneuvering in tight urban spaces was more challenging compared to competitors.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas offered more standard features for 2024, including heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and a power liftgate on the base Comfortline trim. Heated second-row seats were standard from the Highline trim. The Atlas provided seating for seven with a three-seat second-row bench that could 60/40 split-fold, recline up to 14 degrees, and slide nearly 20 centimetres. It could accommodate three child seats side by side and tilt and slide forward with those seats in place. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on Highline and Execline trims, reducing seating capacity to six. A 50/50 split-folding third-row bench was standard. The Atlas offered competitive headroom and legroom across all three rows, with third-row legroom being the best in its class. However, second-row passengers had slightly less room compared to other similarly sized crossovers. The Atlas balanced passenger and cargo space, with 2,735 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, 583 litres with all seats in place, and 1,571 litres with only the third row stowed. It had more cargo space than most rivals, except the Chevy Traverse.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, although Mercedes did not publish third-row space specs. The GLE offered similar headroom to most rivals but slightly less legroom compared to the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. It provided a high seating position, but outward visibility was limited. The front seats in the AMG test car were heavily bolstered for sporty driving, making entry and exit more challenging. Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitor SUVs, with headroom comparable to the BMW X5 and more legroom than the BMW, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Lexus RX. The GLE offered 894 litres of cargo space behind the second-row seats, competitive but less than the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, it provided 1,790 litres of cargo space, the most in its class. The GLE's centre console offered reasonable small-item storage, and it had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds), matching the Audi Q7 and surpassing the X5, Range Rover Sport, and Porsche Cayenne.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received more standard tech features for 2024, including a 12-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless phone charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Six USB-C ports were standard, with up to eight available. A head-up display was standard on Execline. VW switched from Fender to Harman Kardon for its premium audio systems, with a 12-speaker system on higher trims. The upgraded infotainment system was user-friendly, with a map view in the digital instrument cluster, ideal for road trips. Graphics were sharp yet simple to read. However, VW's reliance on haptic touchpads for functions like audio volume and headlights made controls more challenging to use than traditional buttons, despite the high-tech vibe.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, one serving as a digital instrument cluster and the other as an infotainment touchscreen, creating the impression of a continuous horizontal screen. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as built-in navigation. The interface could be accessed through a centre console touchpad, numerous buttons, touchpads on the steering wheel spokes, and the central touchscreen. While potentially confusing, the native voice recognition system simplified access to functions. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car had additional settings, including six drive modes and the ability to adjust damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. These settings were accessible via dials on the steering wheel, which had small screens for confirmation. Some GLE models offered a dashboard off-road display with features like a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capability.

The 2024 Volkswagen Atlas received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side crash testing and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not released ratings for the 2024 Atlas, but the structurally similar 2023 model received the highest "Good" score in all crash tests except the updated moderate overlap front test, where it was rated "Marginal." Standard driver assistance features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Execline trim added park assist and a surround-view camera system. The Atlas also featured automatic post-collision braking, a crash response system, and an emergency assist feature.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, although some were not standard. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring with exit assist, 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, closing windows and the sunroof, and emitting a sound to protect against hearing loss. The optional Driver Assistance Package included adaptive cruise control with automatic speed-limit and curve adaptation, stop-and-go functionality, and lane-change assist. It also added evasive steering assist, cross-traffic functionality for automatic emergency braking, and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The IIHS named the GLE a 2025 Top Safety Pick+, although its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings in standard and optional forms, respectively. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2025 model year.