2025 Hyundai Santa Fe 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 models like 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 tapering side glass, windshield, and back window created odd proportions, especially in the GLE Coupe models. Despite not being the most handsome in the Mercedes lineup, its styling adhered closely to the brand's orthodoxy, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz.

Inside, the GLE offered a variety of interior colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan, with the U.S. test car showcasing a Yacht Blue interior. The interior felt upscale, featuring 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. These elements contributed to a special and luxurious atmosphere, enhancing the overall appeal of the GLE.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, available in three trims in Canada—XRT, Luxury, and Ultimate Calligraphy—debuted its fifth generation in 2024, maintaining its chunky, boxy design with a long wheelbase, flat hood, and snub nose. The pixelated H-shaped LED headlamps aligned with Hyundai's design aesthetic, offering a modern touch. The Santa Fe's rear design, however, suffered from mismatched proportions, with taillights positioned lower than ideal. Despite this, the Santa Fe offered vibrant colour options like Terracotta Orange and Atlantis Blue, breaking away from the typical greyscale SUV palette.

Each trim of the Santa Fe featured specific wheel designs, ranging from 18 inches on the XRT to 21 inches on the Ultimate Calligraphy. The off-road-focused XRT trim added chrome and black trim, along with black roof rails. Inside, the Santa Fe accommodated seven passengers, except for the Ultimate Calligraphy trim, which replaced the second-row bench with captain's chairs. Depending on the trim, upholstery options included leatherette, leather, or Nappa leather. While the interior fit and finish appeared good, some squeaks and rattles were noted during testing. The inclusion of physical dials for HVAC temperature was appreciated, though the fan speed buttons proved less intuitive.

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, delivering 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This setup was mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, with 4Matic all-wheel drive standard across Canadian models. The GLE 450 4Matic boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine, also with a mild hybrid system, producing 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist, offering 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 utilized 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 featured 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, with its classic V8 soundtrack, transformed the SUV into a thrilling experience, though the GLE's overall size made it feel larger than it was, even with AMG chassis upgrades. Maneuvering in tight spaces proved challenging, despite the impressive powertrains.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, tested with a standard 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, delivered 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. All-wheel drive was standard across the lineup, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Santa Fe Hybrid, a separate model, combined a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque, also with AWD. The Santa Fe felt stable in corners, with firm brakes and responsive steering, though turbo lag was noticeable during acceleration. The gear selector, located on a stalk on the steering column, required some adjustment.

The XRT trim featured 30-inch all-terrain tires and 21.2 centimetres of ground clearance, enhancing off-road capabilities. The approach angle was 19.3 degrees, departure angle 21.8 degrees, and breakover angle 19.1 degrees. While these figures were adequate for the class, the Santa Fe wasn't designed for rugged off-roading, better suited for graded dirt roads with minor obstacles.

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 comparable headroom to rivals, but models like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80 provided slightly more legroom. The GLE's high seating position was SUV-like, though outward visibility was limited. The AMG test car's heavily bolstered front seats enhanced sporty driving but made entry and exit more challenging.

Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitor SUVs, with headroom nearly identical 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, the GLE provided 1,790 litres of cargo space, the most among its competitors. The bulky centre console offered reasonable small-item storage, and the GLE's towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds) matched the Audi Q7, though other competitors could tow slightly less.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT trim came well-equipped with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a sunroof, and a 115-volt outlet for powering off-road accessories. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added heated second-row seats, ventilated front seats, and a premium audio system. The Santa Fe excelled in space, offering the most third-row legroom in its class, with adjustable second-row seat cushions. Folding the third row provided 1,148 litres of space, and folding the second row expanded it to 2,267 litres. With all three rows occupied, 413 litres of space remained, competitive for smaller midsize three-row SUVs.

The Santa Fe's rear opening was a standout feature, with the liftgate width increased to 127.5 cm and height at 81 cm, accommodating larger items. Most trims could tow 1,587 kilograms (3,500 pounds), while the XRT trim offered a towing capacity of 2,040 kilograms (4,500 pounds).

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 a continuous horizontal display. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad, steering wheel touchpads, and voice recognition, provided flexibility, though the latter proved most effective.

The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car offered additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. These settings were accessible via steering wheel dials with small screens, though they required looking down to use. Some GLE models featured an off-road display with steering angle, tilt angle, and grade percentage, along with a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capabilities.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe, in Canada, equipped every gas-powered version with a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment and a digital gauge cluster of the same size, except for the base Preferred trim, which was hybrid-only. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with clear graphics and quick response times. Navigation was built-in only on the Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, but wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard.

Charging options included multiple 27-watt USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad, accommodating two phones in the Ultimate Calligraphy trim. The digital key feature allowed unlocking and starting the car with a phone or Apple watch, with the ability to share the key with up to three people. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered a digital rearview mirror and a head-up display, enhancing visibility and convenience.

Standard on all Santa Fe trims was Bluelink app connectivity, allowing climate control presets, location and speed alerts, and surround view monitor snapshots. Over-the-air updates ensured the latest vehicle software was always available.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, though some were optional. 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, standard on all models, 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 added adaptive cruise control with speed-limit and curve adaptation, stop-and-go functionality, and lane-change assist. It also included evasive steering assist, a cross-traffic function for automatic emergency braking, and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The GLE received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings in standard and optional forms, respectively. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not published safety ratings for the 2025 model year at the time of writing.

The 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a wide range of standard safety features, though some required additional investment. Standard features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian, cyclist, and junction turning detection, lane keeping and lane following assist, a driver attention monitor, and safe exit assist. Optional features included rear parking collision avoidance assist, side park distance warning, and Highway Drive Assist.

The Highway Drive Assist feature, combining adaptive cruise control and lane following assist, was generally smooth and easy to use, though it occasionally exhibited erratic behaviour in heavy traffic. The top trim offered a blind spot avoidance feature and the Blind View Monitor, displaying a video feed of the blind spot in the gauge cluster when signaling.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe a four-out-of-five-star overall safety rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Santa Fe as "Good" in most sections, with "Acceptable" ratings in the headlight and LATCH categories.