2025 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, presented a unique aesthetic that set it apart from other Mercedes-Benz SUVs. It shared some visual bulk with the GLS, GLC, and GLB, yet its more rounded profile paid homage to previous generations and its M-Class predecessor. The GLE's design featured squared-off wheel arches and a horizontal grille and headlights, giving it a wide stance. However, the sharply inward-tapering side glass, windshield, and back window created odd proportions, especially on the GLE Coupe models. Despite not being the most handsome model in the Mercedes lineup, its styling adhered closely to the brand’s orthodoxy, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz.

Inside, Mercedes offered a variety of interior colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan. The U.S. test car's Yacht Blue interior was unavailable in Canada, but the GLE's interior still impressed with its upscale feel. Features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system, and 64-colour ambient lighting transformed the cabin into a luxurious space. The interior felt special, with attention to detail that elevated the overall experience.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban, a staple in the full-size SUV market, carried a legacy of brand equity and consumer recognition. With its restyled 2025 model, Chevrolet managed to modernize the Suburban while maintaining its iconic profile. The new front fascia and rear end, along with updated lighting signatures, added a dramatic element to its appearance. Despite these changes, the Suburban's exterior remained largely unchanged from 2024, with the trim lineup staying consistent. The LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country trims offered various features, with the RST and High Country trims now available with 24-inch wheels.

Inside, the 2025 Suburban saw significant upgrades over the 2024 model. The lower dash received a more sophisticated design, and the electronic shifter buttons were replaced with a Mercedes-esque column shifter. The steering wheel was modernized, albeit slightly less user-friendly. The most notable change was the installation of a 17.7-inch touchscreen display, replacing the outdated 10.2-inch screen. This upgrade, along with the improved interior materials, elevated the Suburban's cabin to a more luxurious level, making even the least-expensive versions feel premium.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a diverse range of powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG variants. The lineup began with the GLE 350, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired 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 engine with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist, delivering 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, along with an 80-kilometre electric range.

The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ performance models rounded out the lineup. The AMG GLE 53 featured an enhanced 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, with its hand-assembled twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, produced 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.9 seconds. Despite the impressive powertrains, the GLE's overall refinement was notable, though it felt larger than its midsize classification suggested. Even with AMG chassis upgrades, the GLE struggled with nimbleness on backroads and maneuverability in tight urban spaces.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban continued to embrace V8 power, with a 5.3-litre V8 delivering 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque as the base engine. The 6.2-litre V8, available in the RST, Z71, and Premier trims and standard in the High Country, offered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The Suburban also featured a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six Duramax diesel engine, which received a significant upgrade for 2025, increasing horsepower from 277 to 305 and torque from 460 lb-ft to 495 lb-ft.

A 10-speed automatic transmission paired with each engine, providing smooth handling. The Suburban's steering was surprisingly light, though the brake pedal feel was challenging to master. The 2025 model introduced a recalibrated magnetorheological suspension, standard on the Premier and High Country trims, offering a softer ride. An adjustable air suspension was available on upper trims, enhancing the driving experience. While 24-inch wheels were an option, they were costly and harsh on rough pavement.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though Mercedes did not publish third-row space specifications. The GLE offered similar headroom to rivals but slightly less legroom than the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80. The high seating position provided an SUV-like feel, though outward visibility was limited. The front seats in the AMG test car were heavily bolstered, making entry and exit challenging.

Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitor SUVs, with headroom comparable to the BMW X5 and additional legroom compared to 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, the GLE provided 1,790 litres of cargo space, the most among its competitive set. The GLE's towing capacity reached 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds), matching the Audi Q7 and surpassing other rivals.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in passenger and cargo space, accommodating 1,175 litres of luggage behind the third row. Folding the third row increased cargo space to 2,656 litres, and with all seats folded, the Suburban offered a maximum of 4,092 litres. This capacity surpassed all non-commercial vehicles, including the Expedition and Wagoneer. The Suburban's towing capacity reached 3,765 kilograms (8,300 pounds) with the 5.3-litre V8, RWD, and Max Trailering Package.

The diesel engine provided an advantage with a fuel economy estimate of 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 9.7 on the highway, and 10.7 combined. With a 106-litre fuel tank, the diesel Suburban could deliver nearly 1,000 kilometres of highway driving on a single tank.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, creating the impression of one continuous horizontal display. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad, steering wheel touchpads, and voice recognition, provided convenience, though they could be confusing. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car offered additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise.

Some GLE models featured an off-road display with a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capabilities. The air suspension could raise the ride height for additional ground clearance.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban addressed previous technology shortcomings with a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Combined with an 11-inch driver information display and an available 15-inch head-up display, the Suburban offered over 40 inches of screen real estate. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google Built-in were standard, integrating Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store.

While the user interface was visually appealing, customizing the driver information display was unintuitive. The new steering wheel featured complex buttons and toggles, requiring a learning curve. Physical buttons for headlights, drive modes, and air-suspension ride height remained user-friendly. The top-range Bose stereo left room for improvement compared to competitors.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, though some were not standard. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, crosswind assist, parking assist, a driver attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. The Pre-Safe system mitigated collision effects by tightening seatbelts, closing windows, and emitting a sound to protect against hearing loss.

The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, automatic speed-limit and curve adaptation, stop-and-go functionality, lane-change assist, evasive steering assist, and cross-traffic function for automatic emergency braking. The IIHS named the GLE a 2025 Top Safety Pick+, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review. The 2024 Suburban received four out of five stars in overall crash safety from the NHTSA. Chevrolet included a robust list of advanced driver assistance systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian and bicycle braking, automatic parking assist, blind zone monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera, and a teen driver monitoring system.

GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving technology was available on most Suburban trims in Canada, though it would not launch with the first wave of 2025 models.