2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE, last redesigned in 2020 and facelifted in 2024, maintained a distinct identity within the Mercedes-Benz SUV lineup. It shared some visual bulk with models like the GLS, GLC, and GLB, yet its 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 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, Mercedes offered a refreshing departure from the usual black, grey, and tan interiors. The U.S. test car's Yacht Blue interior, though unavailable in Canada, highlighted the GLE's upscale feel. The interior boasted 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. This attention to detail made the GLE's interior feel special and luxurious.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan marked the beginning of its third generation with a complete redesign, embracing sleek modernity inspired by VW's electric vehicles. The front end featured narrower headlights connected by a plastic trim element reminiscent of the ID.4 EV. In the top Highline R-Line trim, the illuminated VW badge and light bar added impact. The grille appeared larger, occupying the lower half of the front fascia, with smaller actual grille openings and prominent air intakes. While the grille's prominence was notable, a more subtle design might have enhanced the car's streamlined appearance.

From the side, the Tiguan's sportier tapering hatch was accentuated by the roof pillar inset from the tail, creating a fastback-like illusion. The hood appeared longer, and the nose sat more upright and blunted. Shortened front and rear overhangs contributed to a sportier silhouette. A sharply creased character line added visual interest, breaking up the sheet metal's expanse. At the rear, a single bar replaced conventional taillights, echoing the front's illuminated elements. The Tiguan's exterior styling evolved previous themes with influences from newer VW vehicles.

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 formidable 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, reducing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.9 seconds. The GLE's overall refinement impressed, though it felt larger than it was, even in AMG spec. Despite adaptive air suspension and an active anti-roll system, the GLE lacked nimbleness on backroads and posed challenges in tight urban spaces.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan retained a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, similar to its predecessor, but with increased output of 201 horsepower and reduced torque of 207 pound-feet. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, along with Volkswagen's 4Motion all-wheel drive in Canada. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to be similar to the previous model, reaching 100 km/h in approximately 8.5 seconds, typical for its class. The drivetrain delivered power smoothly and linearly, enhancing the driving experience.

Braking was confident, with a well-weighted pedal for smooth stops. The Tiguan's suspension prioritized comfort, effectively smoothing road imperfections while maintaining composure on winding roads. The cabin remained quiet, even on coarse asphalt, contributing to a comfortable atmosphere. While not sporty, the Tiguan's tuning suited its target audience. A more powerful Turbo variant was anticipated for 2026, offering 268 hp and 258 lb-ft, appealing to spirited drivers. Volkswagen also teased an upcoming hybrid powertrain, though details were pending.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, though third-row space specs were not published. The GLE provided similar headroom to rivals, but models like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Genesis GV80 offered slightly more legroom. The 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 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's 894 litres of cargo space behind the second-row seats was competitive, though not as spacious as the GV80 or MDX. With all seats folded, the GLE offered 1,790 litres of cargo space, the most among its competitors. The bulky centre console provided reasonable small-item storage, and the GLE's maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms (7,700 pounds) matched the Audi Q7, though other rivals could tow at least 3,175 kilograms (7,000 pounds).

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row of seats, which improved second-row legroom by nearly 4 centimetres. Headroom remained sufficient for average-sized adults. The elimination of capacitive-touch buttons was a significant improvement, as traditional controls were more user-friendly. Outward visibility was comparable to other small SUVs, with narrow front roof pillars and a sufficiently large rear window.

The centre console offered increased storage, with two cupholders and a narrow slot for a smartphone. A long, deep armrest bin accommodated larger items, and the armrest was adjustable for comfort. Large door pockets provided additional storage. The Tiguan's cargo capacity behind the first-row seatbacks was 1,668 litres, though capacity behind the second row was not finalized. The angled liftgate hatch limited loading of bulkier items, but deep pockets behind the wheel humps offered convenient storage. Remote seatback releases and a power liftgate (standard on all but the base trim) enhanced practicality.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured a pair of 12.3-inch screens, creating a continuous horizontal display for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen. 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 flexibility, 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 steering angle, tilt angle, and grade percentage, along with a "transparent hood" function for the 360-degree camera system. While not as capable off-road as a Land Rover Range Rover Sport, these features, combined with air suspension, facilitated rough terrain driving.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display on the top trim. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless phone charger, ensured connectivity. Capacitive-touch sliders adorned the infotainment screen frame, but a new volume knob on the centre console simplified use. The standard audio system featured seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system available on the top trim. VW's Car-Net system offered remote monitoring and control.

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 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, lane-change assist, evasive steering assist, cross-traffic function for automatic emergency braking, and an expanded driver-monitoring system. The GLE received the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award, though its front-crash prevention tech received "Marginal" and "Acceptable" ratings. NHTSA ratings were unavailable at the time of writing.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan's crash test results were pending from NHTSA and IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, safe passenger exit warnings, parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The Emergency Assist system slowed the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated, and post-collision braking reduced secondary impact risks.

The Highline R-Line trim added a head-up display, surround-view camera system, and traffic sign reader. In testing, the Tiguan's safety features functioned as expected, with no false alarms or oversensitivity issues. The lane-keep assist provided gentle steering input to prevent lane drift without being intrusive.