2025 Nissan Armada 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, but its more rounded profile paid homage to previous generations and its M-Class predecessor. The squared-off wheel arches and horizontal grille and headlights contributed to a wide stance, while the sharply tapering side glass, windshield, and back window created a distinctive silhouette. This design resulted in unusual proportions, especially in the GLE Coupe models, where the bulky lower body contrasted with the fastback-style roofline. Despite not being the most visually appealing model in the Mercedes lineup, the GLE's styling adhered closely to the brand's identity, 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 featured a Yacht Blue interior, 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 added to the luxurious atmosphere. The interior felt special, transforming the cabin into a vibrant space, especially at night.

The 2025 Nissan Armada showcased a bold design with a high beltline reminiscent of its luxury counterpart, the Infiniti QX80. The taller grille and front fascia, aided by higher ground clearance, made a strong impression, particularly on the PRO-4X model with its skid plate. The new C-shaped LED lines in the front lighting signature added a modern touch. From the side, the Armada appeared larger and more business-like, with a parallel beltline and distinctive D-pillar accents. The round wheel arches, complemented by black plastic cladding on the PRO-4X, emphasized its rugged character. The rear featured standard LED taillights and a fashionable red lightbar on higher trims, enhancing its visual appeal.

The Armada's interior offered comfort and luxury, even in the more task-oriented PRO-4X trim. Leather-covered seats and a padded centre console added to the premium feel. The Platinum Reserve trim featured a Chestnut with Rye theme, with tan leather adorning the dash and door cards. The Armada's cabin provided a sense of luxury, making it a comfortable and inviting space for passengers.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a diverse range of powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid and two AMG variants. The GLE 350 featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system, producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE 450 4Matic boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450e 4Matic combined a turbo-four with electric assist, generating 381 hp and 479 lb-ft, 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, producing 429 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. The AMG GLE 63 S, with a hand-assembled twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, delivered a remarkable 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.9 seconds. The GLE 63 S Coupe, with its V8 soundtrack, transformed the driving experience, offering a blend of luxury and muscle car performance. Despite its impressive powertrains, the GLE's size and weight made it feel larger than it was, affecting its agility in tight spaces.

The 2025 Nissan Armada introduced a new powertrain with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, inspired by the high-performance GT-R. This engine produced 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Nissan's Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive was standard in Canada. The PRO-4X trim featured dedicated 20-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, an electronic locking rear differential, and metal underbody skid plates. The Armada's adaptive electronic air suspension, shared with the Platinum Reserve, provided a 33-degree approach angle, 25.5-degree breakover angle, and 24.5-degree departure angle, with 34.4 cm of ground clearance.

The Armada's eight selectable drive modes, including Sand, Rock, and Mud/Rut, enhanced its off-road capabilities. It could tow up to 3,855 kilograms (8,500 pounds) when properly equipped, with features like trailer sway control and trailer blind-spot warning. On-road, the Armada's electric power steering offered a nice sense of engagement, while the adaptive air suspension provided comfort. Off-road, the PRO-4X's suspension and Mud/Rut mode improved ground clearance and performance.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, although Mercedes did not publish third-row space specifications. The GLE offered similar headroom to most 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, 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 the BMW X5 and more legroom than rivals like the 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 towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds) matched the Audi Q7.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a push-button transmission, freeing up centre console space for a wireless charging pad. The Armada Platinum Reserve offered "Zero Gravity" seats, providing comfort but feeling deep. Standard features included 10-way driver's-side power adjustment and lumbar support, with 12-way adjustment on Platinum trims. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated mirrors were standard in Canada, with front-row seat cooling and second-row seat heating on higher trims.

The Armada's third-row seats offered 60/40-split bench form with power one-touch folding. Cargo volume increased, with 577 litres behind the third row, 1,594 litres behind the second row, and 2,750 litres behind the front row. While lower than the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe, it surpassed the Toyota Sequoia. Headroom increased in the front row with a sunroof but decreased in the second and third rows. Front-row legroom increased to 1,112 millimetres, while second-row legroom decreased to 995 mm. Third-row legroom improved to 835 mm, offering more space than Toyota's offering.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, creating a 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 and steering wheel touchpads, could be confusing, but the voice recognition system simplified interactions. The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe 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 steering angle, tilt angle, and grade percentage, along with a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system. While not as fun off-road as a Land Rover Range Rover Sport, these features and air suspension improved rough terrain driving.

The 2025 Nissan Armada came standard with two large screens, 12.3-inch on the SL trim and 14.3-inch on higher trims. The flat display unit sat lower in the dash but remained visible from the driver's seat. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, six USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and Google Built-In were standard. Google Maps could be viewed on the driver information display, independent of the infotainment screen. A head-up display was standard on the Platinum Reserve trim.

In Canada, all Armadas featured a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System. A demo with Klipsch product specialists highlighted the speaker array's merits, appealing to audiophiles.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range 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 and closing windows. Adaptive cruise control was part of the optional Driver Assistance Package, which added features like evasive steering assist and cross-traffic function.

The GLE received a 2025 Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings. NHTSA ratings were unavailable at the time of writing.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured Nissan's ProPILOT Assist suite, with enhanced versions on some trims. ProPILOT Assist 1.1 included adaptive cruise control with lane-centring steering assistance, while ProPILOT Assist 2.1 on the Platinum Reserve offered hands-free highway driving assist. The system required occasional steering wheel contact but provided smooth adjustments.

Nissan Safety Shield 360 included traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. A surround-view camera was standard on the Armada SL, with higher trims featuring Nissan's 3D Around View Monitor and Invisible Hood View. The camera system allowed navigation without physical sight, useful in situations like automated car washes.