2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade stood out with its bold and unmistakable design, which was a refreshing departure from the rugged styling cues often seen in SUVs. The 2023 refresh gave it a more angular and technical look, enhancing its upscale appearance. Inside, even the base trim offered a modern and upscale feel, with premium leather and metal speaker grilles in the higher trims. Thoughtful details like USB ports in the front seatbacks and second-row smartphone storage pockets added to its appeal. The Palisade was available in four trims in Canada, with prices ranging from $53,284 to $63,584.

In contrast, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a more conservative design, with a focus on luxury and comfort. The GLE 450, with its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, was equipped with features like a panoramic sunroof and premium leather. However, the exterior design was criticized for its egg-on-wheels styling, though the GLE Coupe's swoopy roofline was an exception. Inside, the GLE boasted a luxurious cabin with matte-finish wood, ambient lighting, and sophisticated digital displays. The seating was comfortable, but the back seat's low position relative to the windowsills was noted. The GLE's cargo space was generous, with 943 litres behind the back seat and 2,120 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. It had a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms and averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The Palisade's ride was firm at lower speeds but softened at higher speeds, and its powertrain was praised for its smooth and refined operation. However, it was not very fuel-efficient, recording 13.9 L/100 km in city driving and 11.9 L/100 km overall.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, generating 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It had a towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms and offered various driving modes. Despite its off-road capabilities, the GLE 450's standard suspension allowed too much body motion, making it less enjoyable to drive. The steering was numb in Comfort mode and firmed up in Dynamic mode, but it remained uninterested in anything but straight-line travel. The brakes were effective but felt grabby in typical driving situations. The GLE's fuel economy matched the NRCan estimate of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade offered three rows of seats, with a seven-passenger arrangement featuring second-row captain’s chairs in the test vehicle. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included Nappa premium leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat. The second-row seats were heated and ventilated, and the third row provided USB-C ports and drink holders. The Palisade's cargo space was generous, with 509 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,447 litres with the seats folded down.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's front seats were firm but comfortable, with features like heated seats and "energizing seat kinetics." The back seat was roomy but positioned low relative to the windowsills. A third-row seat was an expensive option, adding two extra chairs with USB-C ports. The GLE's cargo space was 943 litres behind the back seat and 2,120 litres with the seats folded down. The cargo area included a netted compartment, robust hooks, and a large spare tire under the load floor.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade's technology was functional, with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but other features included Bluetooth support, wireless charging, SiriusXM, and a navigation system. The voice recognition system performed well, and the Harman Kardon audio system provided commendable sound. The Palisade also offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system and augmented-reality navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM and Mercedes Digital Extras. The GLE's voice assistant performed well, though it struggled with hospital requests.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. The HDA system paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024 but lost it in 2025 due to a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test. The NHTSA gave it five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's standard safety tech was limited, with features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features. The GLE's Active Emergency Stop Assist was noteworthy, but the route-based speed-adjustment feature was a source of frustration. The IIHS named the GLE a "Top Safety Pick+" for 2025, but its front crash prevention tech earned low ratings.