2025 Nissan Armada vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Nissan Armada presented a bold and commanding presence with its high beltline and tall grille, reminiscent of the Infiniti QX80. The front fascia, accentuated by a higher ground clearance, featured a new lighting signature with C-shaped LED lines, enhancing its modern appeal. The PRO-4X variant stood out with a skid plate and Lava Red accents, adding a rugged touch. From the side, the Armada appeared larger and more business-like, with a parallel beltline and distinctive D-pillar design. The round wheel arches, complemented by black plastic cladding on the PRO-4X, emphasized its off-road capability. The rear showcased C-shaped LED taillights and a red lightbar on higher trims, contributing to its stylish look. Inside, the Armada offered a luxurious cabin with leather seats and a padded centre console, especially in the Platinum Reserve trim, which featured a Chestnut with Rye theme, creating a plush and inviting atmosphere.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE, available in nine versions, ranged from the GLE 350 with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine to the AMG GLE 63 S Coupe with a hand-built twin-turbo V8. Our focus was on the GLE 450, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology. The GLE 450 featured a sophisticated interior with matte-finish wood, metallic accents, ambient lighting, and digital displays. The exterior, however, was less impressive, with an egg-on-wheels styling that was not enhanced by the white paint. The GLE Coupe's swoopy roofline improved the design, but the standard GLE body style remained bland. Despite this, the GLE 450 offered a luxurious cabin experience with quality materials and a range of features, including a sport braking system and a quiet ride, making it a comfortable choice for long-distance travel.

The 2025 Nissan Armada was powered by a new 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, inspired by the high-performance GT-R. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive in Canada. The PRO-4X variant included exclusive features like an electronic locking rear differential, metal skid plates, and adaptive electronic air suspension, providing a 33-degree approach angle and 34.4 cm of ground clearance. The Armada offered eight selectable drive modes, including Sand, Rock, and Mud/Rut, and could tow up to 3,855 kilograms. On-road, the Armada's electric power steering provided a nice sense of engagement, while off-road, the adaptive air suspension enhanced its capability.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450, with its turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid system, produced 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual driving modes. The GLE 450 was equipped for off-roading and towing, with a capacity of 3,500 kilograms. However, the standard suspension allowed too much body motion, affecting its performance in various driving situations. The steering felt numb in Comfort mode and firmed up in Dynamic mode, but remained uninterested in anything but straight-line travel. The sport braking system performed well in enthusiastic driving but felt grabby in typical situations. The GLE's fuel economy was decent, with a combined rating of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a push-button transmission, freeing up centre console space for a wireless charging pad. The Platinum Reserve trim offered "Zero Gravity" seats with 10-way power adjustment and lumbar support. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and other heated features were standard in Canada. The Armada's third-row seats folded flatter for easier loading, increasing cargo volume to 577 litres behind the third row, 1,594 litres behind the second row, and 2,750 litres behind the front row. Headroom and legroom varied depending on the presence of a sunroof, with the third row benefiting from increased legroom.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered firm but comfortable front seats with "energizing seat kinetics" and power-adjustable steering. The Exclusive Package added ventilated front seats and genuine leather options. The back seat was roomy but positioned low relative to the windowsills. A third-row seat was an expensive option, adding two extra chairs with USB-C ports. The GLE provided 943 litres of cargo space behind the back seat and 2,120 litres with the back seat folded. The cargo area included a netted compartment, hooks, lighting, and a cargo cover.

The 2025 Nissan Armada came standard with two large screens, 12.3-inch on the SL trim and 14.3-inch on higher trims, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six USB-C ports, and Google Built-In. The Platinum Reserve trim included a head-up display. The 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System was standard in Canada, providing a high-quality audio experience.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system, Dolby Atmos technology, and augmented-reality navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and Mercedes Digital Extras.

The 2025 Nissan Armada included Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist suite, with ProPILOT Assist 1.1 on most trims and ProPILOT Assist 2.1 on the Platinum Reserve, offering hands-free highway driving assist. Nissan Safety Shield 360 was standard, featuring traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and more. A surround-view camera was standard on the SL, with higher trims offering a 3D Around View Monitor and Invisible Hood View.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's standard safety tech included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and more. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and other features. The GLE's Active Emergency Stop Assist was notable, but the route-based speed-adjustment feature was problematic. The GLE earned a “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS.