Compare the2023 Mercedes GLEVS 2023 Chevrolet Blazer

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLE have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Blazer doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The GLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Blazer doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the GLE’s standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The Blazer doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

The GLE has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Blazer’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the GLE has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Blazer.

The GLE’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Blazer doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLE and the Blazer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Chevrolet Blazer:

	GLE	Blazer
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	182
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	25 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	104/435 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	209	313
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.8 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	43%
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	140 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Chevrolet Blazer:

	GLE	Blazer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	93
Chest Movement	.7 inches	.8 inches
Abdominal Force	151 lbs.	157 lbs.
Hip Force	287 lbs.	369 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	251
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	45 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	264	265
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	39 G’s
Hip Force	615 lbs.	695 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GLE its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 114 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Blazer last would have qualified as only a standard “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The GLE comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Blazer’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The GLE’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Blazer’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Engine

The GLE has more powerful engines than the Blazer:

	Horsepower	Torque
GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	255 HP	273 lbs.-ft.
GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid	483 HP	516 lbs.-ft.
Blazer 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	228 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
Blazer 3.6 DOHC V6	308 HP	270 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Chevrolet Blazer V6:

	GLE	Blazer
Zero to 30 MPH	1.9 sec	2.5 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	6.3 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	13.9 sec	17 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6 sec	6.4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.3 sec	4.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	15 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100 MPH	94 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the GLE 450/580’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Blazer doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLE has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Blazer FWD’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 19.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Blazer:

	GLE 350	GLE 450/580	Blazer
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.8 inches	12.64 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	12.4 inches

The GLE 450/580’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Blazer are solid, not vented.

The GLE stops much shorter than the Blazer:

	GLE	Blazer
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the Blazer (255/50R19 vs. 235/65R18). The GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Blazer (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/45R21).

The GLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Blazer’s standard 65 series tires. The GLE 450’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Blazer RS/Premier’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Blazer. The GLE 450’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels optional on the Blazer RS/Premier.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Blazer’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The GLE 450 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Chevrolet doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Blazer.

The GLE offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Blazer’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Blazer doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLE’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Blazer doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 5.2 inches longer than on the Blazer (117.9 inches vs. 112.7 inches).

The GLE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the Blazer’s (60.1% to 39.9%). This gives the GLE more stable handling and braking.

The GLE 450 handles at .83 G’s, while the Blazer RS 4x4 pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the GLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Blazer LT (7.9 vs. 7.5 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLE Airmatic’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Blazer RS/Premier (9.2 vs. 7.6 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GLE 450 is quieter than the Blazer RS 4x4:

	GLE	Blazer
At idle	38 dB	38 dB
Full-Throttle	70 dB	74 dB
70 MPH Cruising	63 dB	66 dB

Passenger Space

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the Blazer can only carry 5.

The GLE has .7 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom and 1.3 inches more rear legroom than the Blazer.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Blazer with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 30.5 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Blazer with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 64.2 cubic feet).

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Blazer’s (5950 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Chevrolet Blazer is only 4500 pounds. The GLE offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLE is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Blazer. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Blazer RS/Premier, the GLE offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Blazer, and is not available on all models.

The GLE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, certain gauge, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Blazer doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLE’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Blazer’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the GLE the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Blazer can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The GLE has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Blazer doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The GLE’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Blazer’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Blazer’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GLE offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Blazer doesn’t offer cornering lights. The GLE also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The Blazer doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the GLE to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Blazer doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Blazer.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes GLE has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Blazer.

The GLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Blazer doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the Blazer because it costs $154 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the GLE than the Blazer, including $803 less for a timing belt/chain.

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