After trading in our 2017 GLC43AMG for a 2021 Range Rover Sport HST which quickly got traded for a 2021 Audi SQ8, we returned to MB trading the SQ8 for a 2022 GLE53AMG our dealer had on the lot with 5,800 miles on it. Every year we tend to go out and test drive all the competitors and make a decision on the latest daily driver. This time around the contestants were the new 2023 RR Sport, Porsche Cayenne, MB GLE and BMW X5 - while each has pros and cons, we obviously thought the Mercedes was the one as evidenced by it's spot in the garage. If anyone is thinking of purchasing any of those vehicles or are interested in specific thoughts on how they compare, hit me up while it's fresh!

Cheers,

Dave

On edit; I need to update my signature!

 

A quick run down of your likes/dislikes of each of the competition would be great to hear.

 

OK;

- Cayenne; great steering and good feel. Looks are subjective but the 2024's are going to be heavily updated leaving prior model years looking dated. Salesman was nice and professional but the dealership seems to be far less accommodating than others - of course this will vary by area. Pricing is relatively high especially considering the "a la carte" option model for Porsche. Same basic underpinnings as the SQ8. Performance was OK but muted unless you start dishing out for higher trims.......less performance at similar price points is how I'd put it.

- SQ8. The 500hp V8 is awesome. Sounds great though it's sometimes a bit too loud, especially on start up. Handling was good, high quality feeling interior with up-to-date looking tech. Lots of rear seat room. Neat features like photo quality Nav, frameless door glass, acoustic glass, etc. I liked the exterior lighting as well. Downsides; the coupe body had a lower ceiling height (I was always hitting my head getting in). The start-stop was a nightmare, virtually unusable IMO. no real storage in the center console and we had a few electrical glitches.

- Range Rover Sport; I loved the more upright seating position compared to the others and it had the best ride from a luxury standpoint. Power was good but not like the Audi, obviously. lots of room, great looking in and out. Pricing is on the high side. Dynamically its good but not great; probably last place on this list. We may well have chosen the RR but poor reliablity reports (including our own 2021), very little stock and the fact they are going all electric shortly tempered our enthusiasm for the LR.

- BMW X5; we tested an X drive 40i which should have been down on power looking at the stats but it did better than the brochure would have you believe. We drove an X5M previously but it was just "too much" and we have a sports car to scratch that itch. Pricing was very competitive and the dealer was very helpful and accommodating. Driving dynamics were very good with a sport feel. Downsides were that it didn't look or feel as premium as the others and back seat space was tighter.

- Mercedes GLE53AMG. Nice looking vehicle (esp. in black IMO). Interior looks and feels premium as well. Driving dynamics were decent though certainly not class leading but the luxury ride and feel was second only to the RR. The 429hp engine was in the sweet spot of sounding nice and providing enough performance but not overly rowdy. The local MB dealer is amazing and they went above and beyond to get us back into a Mercedes......based on past experience, dealing with this dealer and MB has been a step above the rest with only BMW coming close. Ultimately the GLE had the best mix of luxury, comfort and performance to best suit our needs and the dealership experience sealed the deal.

Others will obviously weigh the pros and cons and come up with entirely different choices but this is how it shook out for us.

Cheers,
Dave

 

Thanks OP, appreciate the comparisons.

 

Great to hear feedback from someone with a history of different make vehicles.

 

Thanks for the comparison.

Are you comparing your 53 with or without ARC?

 

That's an excellent question; I assume the Active Ride Control is optional but you can still have air suspension without it right? The car was a used/demo with 5,000 miles on it so I didn't get a window sticker. Any idea on how to check on the car itself?

Dave

 

Big red brakes, dials on the steering wheel to change modes.

A noticable improvement in handling crispness and ride quality.

 

Hmm; we have the steering wheel with the dials, etc. but I'm pretty sure the brakes aren't red. I've asked for a buildsheet/window sticker

Dave

 

I enjoyed my GLE 53! Probably the best ride and handling compromise or any SUV I’ve owned.

 

You have the Active Ride Control that someone else mentioned right that must had helped. Glad you enjoy it though.