2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe presented a design that was neither offensive nor particularly striking, with its Selenite Grey paint and 22-inch forged aluminum wheels. The SUV's styling, reminiscent of an athletic sneaker, was complemented by polished brightwork, giving it a sophisticated yet sporty appearance. Inside, the GLE 53 Coupe offered a luxurious experience with high-end materials, including Nappa premium leather and a Dinamica simulated suede headliner. The dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design added a high-tech feel, while ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night. However, the interior's complexity required some acclimation for new users, as traditional controls were minimal.

The 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, resulting in a familiar design. The Passport's new styling, especially its nose, aimed to give it a tougher look, with the TrailSport trim adding off-road appeal. The TrailSport trim, priced at $49,270 CAD, featured unique 18-inch alloy wheels, a roof rack, and simulated skid plates. Inside, the Passport offered a spacious interior with quality materials and orange contrast stitching in the TrailSport trim. The SUV's large interior and thoughtful design made it a comfortable choice for passengers, with ample storage and cargo space.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6 engine, producing 429 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 to 5,800 rpm. The engine featured EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, enhancing power and fuel efficiency. The GLE 53 Coupe achieved a fuel consumption of 12.7 L/100 km, slightly above the expected 12.5 L/100 km. The SUV's performance was further enhanced by a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission, AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system, and AMG Dynamic Select driving modes. The adaptive damping control air suspension and AMG Active Ride Control suspension provided a comfortable and nimble ride, while the AMG sport exhaust system added a sporty sound. The GLE 53 Coupe excelled in urban and highway settings, offering a balance of comfort and performance.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard AWD in Canada. The Passport's fuel consumption averaged 11.0 L/100 km, slightly better than the expected 11.3 L/100 km. The i-VTM4 AWD system provided mechanical torque vectoring, distributing up to 70% of power to a single rear wheel when needed. The Passport's performance was commendable on twisty roads, though off-road capabilities were limited. The SUV offered a firm ride, responsive steering, and athletic handling, making it enjoyable on daily commutes and road trips. However, the brakes showed some vibration during mountain descents, which could be concerning for towing.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe accommodated up to five passengers, though it was more comfortable for four. The front seats offered numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, ensuring comfort on long drives. The back seat provided ample legroom, and the 655-litre cargo hold expanded to 1,790 litres with the rear seats folded. Additional comfort features included a four-zone automatic climate control system and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system, enhancing the luxurious experience.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured large doors and a low step-in height, making entry and exit easy. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with leather upholstery and heated features. The TrailSport trim added heated rear seats, while the Touring trim offered ventilated front seats. The Passport's interior was roomy, with ample legroom and a bright, airy feel. Storage options were plentiful, and the cargo space measured 1,430 litres, expanding to 2,854 litres with the rear seats folded. The Passport's practicality and comfort made it a versatile choice for families and road trips.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe came equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with natural voice recognition and multiple interaction methods. Optional features included wireless smartphone charging, a Burmester surround-sound audio system, and an augmented video feature for navigation. The MBUX system's intuitive design made it easy to use, though the touchpad on the centre console could be inadvertently activated.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Satellite radio was available on the TrailSport trim, while the Touring trim added a navigation system and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The system's interface was straightforward, with shortcut buttons and a volume knob, though a tuning knob was absent. Apple CarPlay was preferred for navigation due to the Passport's clunky system. Wireless smartphone charging was standard on all but the base Sport trim, though the Passport's technology was not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe was equipped with numerous safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Intelligent Drive Package added 13 driver assistance systems, enhancing safety and collision avoidance. The Active Lane Change Assist and Active Emergency Stop Assist systems were particularly impressive, providing refined and accurate assistance. The GLE Coupe's safety systems operated transparently, ensuring a safe driving experience. While crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Passport featured the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear-seat reminder system. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centring assist functions were less refined, prompting drivers to turn them off. The adaptive cruise control also lacked smoothness in heavy traffic. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA, except for front passenger protection in frontal impacts and rollover resistance, which earned four stars. The IIHS gave the Passport top ratings, with an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in small overlap collisions.