Compare the2023 Mercedes GLEVS 2023 Ford Edge

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

Safety

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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 Edge 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 Edge doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

The GLE offers an optional Surround View System to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Edge only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the GLE and the Edge have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available lane departure warning systems.

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 Ford Edge:

	GLE	Edge
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	212
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	229 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	21 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	165/596 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	209	282
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.4 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	35.2%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	197 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	44 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 Ford Edge:

	GLE	Edge
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	84
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	151 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	103
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	41 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	16 inches
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	38 G’s

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 Edge is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

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 Edge’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mercedes 2 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The GLE has more powerful engines than the Edge:

	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.
Edge 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	250 HP	280 lbs.-ft.
Edge ST 2.7 turbo V6	335 HP	380 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Edge ST 2.7 turbo V6:

	GLE	Edge
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	6.1 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	14.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97.4 MPH	93.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the GLE gets better mileage than the Edge:

			MPG
GLE
	RWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/25 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	20 city/25 hwy
Edge
	AWD	2.7 turbo V6	19 city/25 hwy

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

The GLE has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Edge (22.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes GLE, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Edge.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE 450/580’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Edge:

	GLE 450/580	Edge
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13.6 inches

The GLE stops much shorter than the Edge:

	GLE	Edge
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	187 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the Edge (255/50R19 vs. 245/60R18). The GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Edge (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 265/40R21).

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 Edge SE/SEL’s standard 60 series tires.

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

Suspension and Handling

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

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 Edge’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 Edge doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the Edge (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is .8 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Edge.

The GLE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the Edge’s (57.8% to 42.2%). This gives the GLE more stable handling and braking.

The GLE 450 handles at .84 G’s, while the Edge Titanium pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Edge Titanium (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Edge ST (9.2 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the GLE 450 is quieter than the Edge Titanium:

	GLE	Edge
At idle	38 dB	40 dB
Full-Throttle	70 dB	71 dB
70 MPH Cruising	63 dB	68 dB

Passenger Space

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

The GLE has .3 inches more front headroom and .3 inches more rear legroom than the Edge.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Edge with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 73.4 cubic feet).

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Edge’s (5950 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Ford Edge is only 3500 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 Edge. 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 in the Edge Titanium/ST, 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 instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Edge does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 Edge doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The GLE’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Edge’s passenger windows don’t open or 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 Edge 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 Edge 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 Edge’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Edge’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Poor.”

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 Edge 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 Edge doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The GLE’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Ford only offers heated mirrors on the Edge SEL/ST-Line/ST/Titanium.

When the GLE is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Edge’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Edge.

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 Edge and isn’t available on the Edge SE.

The GLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Edge Titanium/ST’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Model Availability

The GLE is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Edge doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the GLE owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the GLE with a number “8” insurance rate while the Edge is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the Edge because typical repairs cost much less on the GLE than the Edge, including $647 less for a timing belt/chain.