2025 Hyundai Palisade vs 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, stood out with its unique design that differentiated it from other Mercedes-Benz SUVs. It shared some visual bulk with models like the GLS, GLC, and GLB, but its more rounded profile paid homage to previous generations and its M-Class predecessor. The GLE 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 lineup, its styling adhered closely to the brand’s orthodoxy, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz.

Inside, the GLE offered a luxurious experience with a variety of interior colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan. The U.S. test car's Yacht Blue interior was not available in Canada, but the GLE's interior still impressed with features like chunky air vents, mesh speaker grilles for the optional Burmester audio system, and 64-colour ambient lighting that transformed the cabin into a vibrant space at night. The interior felt upscale and special, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade distinguished itself with bold, unmistakable design, avoiding the typical rugged off-roader styling cues. The 2023 refresh replaced the SUV’s chubby-cheeked face with a more angular and technical look, giving it a balanced form and upscale appearance. This design made the Palisade seem like a bargain at its sticker price. Inside, even the base Palisade Preferred trim offered a clean, modern, and upscale look. The most expensive versions featured premium leather, metal speaker grilles, and other luxury cues, making it a mainstream SUV in name only. However, some metallic-surface control markings were hard to read during the day.

The Palisade was loaded with thoughtful details, including USB charging ports embedded into the front seatbacks for rear passengers, second-row smartphone storage pockets, and easily accessible drink holders for children. In Canada, the Palisade was available in four trim levels: Preferred, Urban, Ultimate Calligraphy, and Ultimate Calligraphy Night Edition, with prices ranging from $53,284 to $63,584, including destination charges. The test vehicle, equivalent to Canada’s Ultimate Calligraphy trim, featured Robust Emerald paint and had an MSRP of $62,460, including destination.

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, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This was mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, with 4Matic all-wheel drive standard on all Canadian models. The GLE 450 4Matic featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine, also 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, plus 80 kilometres of electric range.

The AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ performance models rounded out the lineup. The AMG GLE 53 used an enhanced version of the 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 boasted a hand-assembled twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, producing 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.9 seconds. The GLE 63 S Coupe, available only as a GLE 450 4Matic or in the two AMG specs, offered exhilarating stoplight launches with a classic V8 soundtrack. Despite the impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger than it was, even in AMG spec, and maneuvering in tight urban spaces was challenging.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade featured a 3.8-litre V6 engine producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Palisade had a maximum towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds) and averaged 11.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, according to Natural Resources Canada. Despite its age, the Palisade drove remarkably well, with a firm ride at lower speeds and a softer ride on highways. It handled speed humps impressively, performing like a Baja-tuned pickup truck.

The Palisade’s powertrain was satisfying, offering plenty of power, a great sound, and smooth operation. The automatic transmission delivered silky shifts, making it a delight in a segment where many rivals opted for turbocharged four-cylinder engines. However, it wasn’t very fuel-efficient, recording 13.9 L/100 km during city driving and 11.9 L/100 km by the end of the evaluation. Despite the extra fuel consumption, the refined V6 was worth the cost. The Palisade’s steering and suspension provided a reasonable feel for the road, and the brakes were well-calibrated and easy to modulate.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, although Mercedes didn’t publish specs for third-row space. The GLE offered similar headroom to most rivals, but the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80 had slightly more legroom. The GLE 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 a bit challenging.

Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitor SUVs, with headroom nearly identical to the rear seats of a BMW X5 and slightly more legroom than in other rivals. The GLE offered 894 litres of cargo space behind the second-row seats, competitive but not as much as in a 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 centre console offered reasonable room for phones and drinks, and the SUV had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds), tied with the Audi Q7.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade featured three rows of seats usable by adults. The test vehicle had a seven-passenger arrangement with second-row captain’s chairs, but eight-passenger seating was standard with the base Preferred trim and available on the Urban trim. The Palisade Ultimate Calligraphy test vehicle came with Nappa premium leather, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and a massaging driver’s seat with a thigh cushion extension. Both front seats included ventilation on the Ultimate Calligraphy trims, and all Canadian Palisade models had heated outboard seats in the first two rows and a heated steering wheel.

The second-row captain’s chairs were nearly as satisfying as the front seats, with heating and ventilation in the top trim. The seats provided good thigh support and legroom, and the triple-zone climate control and overhead air vents added to the comfort levels. Third-row passengers enjoyed USB-C charging ports, drink holders, and air vents. The Palisade offered generous and thoughtful storage space, with adjustable front cupholders, a long tray in each door panel armrest, and dedicated sleeves for devices on the front seatbacks.

The Palisade featured a Smart Liftgate, a hands-free power liftgate that automatically opened when it detected the key fob. Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 509 litres, with a huge compartment under the load floor. Folding the third row down provided 1,297 litres of cargo space, and maximum cargo capacity behind the front seats was 2,447 litres.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a standard interface with two 12.3-inch screens, one serving as a digital instrument cluster and the other as an infotainment touchscreen. 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. The native voice recognition system was effective, simplifying access to functions.

The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car had additional settings, including six drive modes and the ability to set different levels of damper firmness, stability control intervention, and exhaust noise. Some GLE models could be equipped with a dashboard off-road display and a “transparent hood” function for the 360-degree camera system. These features, combined with air suspension, made driving over rough terrain easier.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade’s technology was starting to look dated compared to Hyundai’s newer models with a single rectangular display. However, the tech was fully functional and included a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, but it offered two-device Bluetooth support, wireless smartphone charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, voice recognition, and Bluelink+ connected services.

The voice recognition system performed well, and the 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system produced commendable sound. The Palisade had a Rear Seat Quiet Mode and a digital rearview mirror with a camera for a clear view behind the SUV. The test vehicle also had a head-up display showing blind spot warnings and a surround-view camera system for parking in cramped situations.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, although some important ones 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 was also standard, mitigating the effects of a collision or rollover. The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and a cross-traffic function for automatic emergency braking. The GLE received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, although its front-crash prevention tech received “Marginal” and “Acceptable” ratings.

The 2025 Hyundai Palisade came with a typical list of standard safety features and several unusual technologies. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, intersection turning assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). The HDA system paired adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. The Palisade Urban added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera, while the Ultimate Calligraphy trim included evasive steering assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA). The Palisade earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS through 2024, but a Poor safety rating in a new test prevented the accolade in 2025. The NHTSA gave the Palisade five-star frontal impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings.