2026 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The Detroit automakers have focused more on their bread-and-butter full-size pickup trucks in recent years, but General Motors still has a balanced lineup that includes several crossovers aimed at the heart of the market. The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox competes with segment stalwarts such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 and is related to the more upscale GMC Terrain. It was redesigned for the 2025 model year, which means changes for 2026 are limited to a standard drive mode selector and a new Polar White exterior colour.

Verdict: The Equinox does everything a compact crossover should, but it doesn’t set a new bar for the segment.

Mercedes introduced the ML-Class in the late 1990s, a blobby-looking luxury SUV focused on on-road comfort. Almost 30 years later, the GLE — the ML’s replacement — follows that model’s founding formula but with modern powertrains and technology. The 2026 GLE is available in standard and “coupe” body styles equipped with four-, six-, and eight-cylinder engines. For the 2026 model year, the six-cylinder GLE 450 features a standard AMG Line exterior design.

Verdict: The midsize Mercedes GLE is the second most popular model the company sells in North America (behind the smaller GLC crossover SUV). That’s easy to understand given consumer preferences for SUVs and the GLE’s overall appeal. Still, it is time for Mercedes to redesign this model.