2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2025 INFINITI QX80

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, 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 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 design language, ensuring it was unmistakably a Benz.

Inside, Mercedes offered a variety of interior colours beyond the typical black, grey, and tan, although the U.S. test car’s Yacht Blue interior was not available in Canada. The GLE’s interior felt upscale and special, 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 2025 INFINITI QX80 underwent its first redesign since 2017, growing slightly longer and wider while maintaining its height. It retained its body-on-frame architecture, with a new frame enhancing torsional and lateral stiffness by 25% and 57%, respectively. The QX80’s styling became more expressive, particularly at the front, with a large grille extending onto the hood and a creased hood adding visual interest. The stacked-headlight setup, with large lower elements and narrow LED daytime running lights, gave the QX80 a distinctive and imposing look.

Other styling updates included returning vents on the front fenders and a squared-off rear end with full-width LED taillights. Blacked-out roof pillar trim and flush door handles contributed to a cleaner profile. The QX80 was available in Luxe, Sensory, and Autobiography trims in Canada, with standard 22-inch wheels and a panoramic moonroof. The interior received a high-tech makeover, featuring a large horizontal display, 64-colour ambient lighting, and screens integrated into the dashboard and door panels. However, shiny black plastic trim detracted from the premium feel, even in Autograph models.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a diverse range of powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG options. 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 in Canada. The GLE 450 4Matic featured 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, 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 inline-six powertrain to produce 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 with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.9 seconds. The GLE 63 S 4Matic+ Coupe, with its V8 soundtrack, transformed the SUV into a thrilling drive. Despite the impressive powertrains, the GLE felt larger than it was, and maneuvering in tight spaces proved challenging.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 featured a new twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, replacing the previous 5.6-litre V8. The V6 produced 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, compared to the outgoing V8’s 400 hp and 413 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the old seven-speed, with four-wheel drive standard in Canada. The twin-turbo V6 and additional gears provided a more energetic feel, although the active sound enhancement added an artificial noise during acceleration.

Standard air suspension and adaptive damping adjusted damper firmness in real-time, offering a compliant ride. The suspension could raise or lower ride height, with an off-road setting increasing ground clearance by 5.3 centimetres. Despite these features, the QX80’s weight and body-on-frame construction meant it couldn’t completely smooth out bumps. Handling was average for a large SUV, and the reinforced frame didn’t feel as solid as unibody vehicles.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, although Mercedes didn’t publish third-row space specs. The GLE offered similar headroom to rivals, but the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80 had slightly more legroom. The high seating position provided an SUV-like feel, but outward visibility was limited. The AMG test car’s heavily bolstered front seats made entry and exit challenging.

Second-row passengers enjoyed slightly more space than in most competitor SUVs, with headroom comparable to a 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 centre console offered reasonable small-item storage, and the GLE’s maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms matched the Audi Q7.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 redesign increased cargo space by 6%, 17%, and 28% behind the first, second, and third rows, respectively. This resulted in 623 litres with all rows in place, 1,670 litres with the third row folded, and 2,860 litres with both the second and third rows folded. The QX80 had more cargo space than the Lexus LX and Mercedes-Benz GLS, but less than the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.

Reconfiguring the interior was easy with a power liftgate and power-folding second- and third-row seats. Controls in the cargo area, on the infotainment touchscreens, and on the seats themselves were convenient, although second-row seats sometimes lacked room to move if the driver’s seat was set for taller occupants. The QX80 offered a 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat or reclining captain’s chairs on the Autograph grade, with a reclining 60/40 split-folding third-row bench. Passenger space was comparable to the Escalade and Navigator, with increased legroom in the first and third rows. Heated, ventilated, and massaging front and second-row seats were available, along with a heated third row. The QX80’s maximum towing capacity of 3,855 kilograms was better than most full-size luxury SUVs, although the Lincoln Navigator could tow slightly more.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, one as a digital instrument cluster and the other as an infotainment touchscreen, creating a continuous horizontal screen impression. The Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as built-in navigation. Multiple access methods, including a centre console touchpad, steering wheel touchpads, and voice recognition, were available, although the latter was the most effective.

The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe test car had additional settings, including six drive modes and adjustable damper firmness, stability control, and exhaust noise. These could be accessed via steering wheel dials with small screens, although they required looking down while using them. Some GLE models offered a dashboard off-road display and a “transparent hood” function for the 360-degree camera system, enhancing off-road capability.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80’s redesigned cabin featured dual 14.3-inch screens, one as the instrument cluster and the other as the infotainment touchscreen. A smaller 9-inch touchscreen on the centre console handled most controls not assigned to the main screen, such as climate control. A head-up display and eight USB-C ports were available. The QX80 was the first Infiniti model with Google built-in apps, including Google Maps for navigation, Google Assistant for voice recognition, and the Google Play Store for app downloads. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also supported.

While Google Maps provided a familiar navigation interface, the rest of the infotainment system felt too similar to Nissan’s non-luxury brand. The dual-screen setup looked impressive, but the graphics were underwhelming, and the lower touchscreen required firm presses, which was distracting. All QX80 models had Klipsch sound systems, with Luxe models featuring a 14-speaker system and Sensory and Autograph models offering a 24-speaker version with Individual Audio tech. The QX80 also had a 360-degree camera system with eight viewing angles and a 170-degree front wide view, as well as a digital rearview camera, dash cam, and in-car camera.

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, which tightened seatbelts, closed windows and the sunroof, and emitted a sound to protect against hearing loss, was also standard.

The optional Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control with automatic 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 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, although its front-crash prevention tech received “Marginal” and “Acceptable” ratings in standard and optional forms, respectively. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of writing.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, the organization’s highest rating. NHTSA crash test results were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and a trailer blind-spot warning system for trailers up to 33 feet long.

The QX80 offered Nissan’s ProPilot Assist highway driving assistance system, with the basic 1.1 version combining adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring. The more advanced ProPilot Assist 2.1 version, available on Autograph models, allowed for hands-free driving and automated lane changes. While we didn’t test ProPilot Assist on the QX80, it performed reasonably well in other vehicles. Lane changes required driver initiation via the turn-signal stalk, avoiding the unpredictable behaviour of systems like General Motors’ Super Cruise.