Compare the2023 Mercedes GLEVS 2023 GMC Terrain

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
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 GMC Terrain 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 Terrain doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes GLE are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The GMC Terrain doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Mercedes GLE has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Terrain doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Terrain’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 Terrain.

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 Terrain doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLE and the Terrain have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 Mercedes GLE weighs 913 to 1861 pounds more than the GMC Terrain. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 GMC Terrain:

	GLE	Terrain
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	84	159
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/184 lbs.	363/349 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	209	376
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	153 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	51 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 GMC Terrain:

	GLE	Terrain
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	109
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	151 lbs.	195 lbs.
Hip Force	287 lbs.	357 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	103	288
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	55 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	264	377
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	615 lbs.	730 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 Terrain 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 Terrain’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 Terrain’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Engine

The GLE 350’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 80 more horsepower (255 vs. 175) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 203) than the Terrain’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 187 more horsepower (362 vs. 175) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 203) than the Terrain’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The GLE 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 308 more horsepower (483 vs. 175) and 313 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 203) than the Terrain’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

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 Terrain doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The GLE has 7.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Terrain FWD’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 14.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The GLE has 6.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Terrain AWD’s standard fuel tank (22.5 vs. 15.6 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	GLE 350	GLE 450/580	Terrain
Front Rotors	13 inches	14.8 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.6 inches	11.3 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 Terrain are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the Terrain (255/50R19 vs. 225/65R17). The GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Terrain (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 235/50R19).

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 Terrain SLE/AT4’s standard 65 series tires. The GLE 450’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Terrain’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Terrain SLE/AT4. The GLE 450’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Terrain.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the GLE flat and controlled during cornering. The Terrain’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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

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 Terrain’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 Terrain 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 Terrain doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 10.6 inches longer than on the Terrain (117.9 inches vs. 107.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Terrain.

The GLE 450 handles at .83 G’s, while the Terrain Denali AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The GLE 450 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Terrain Denali AWD (27 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the GLE has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Terrain SLE (7.9 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GLE Airmatic’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali (9.2 vs. 7.9 inches).

Passenger Space

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

The GLE has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Terrain.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Terrain with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Terrain with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 63.3 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the GLE. The Terrain doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

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

Servicing Ease

The GLE uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Terrain uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the GLE is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Terrain. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Terrain SLT/AT4/Denali, 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 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 Terrain’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 Terrain 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 Terrain 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 Terrain’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 Terrain’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the GLE offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Terrain 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 Terrain 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 Terrain 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 Terrain.

The GLE has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Terrain.

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. Only the Terrain Denali offers wireless charging.

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

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 Terrain 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 Terrain because it costs $227 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the GLE than the Terrain, including $163 less for a muffler, $181 less for a fuel pump and $454 less for a timing belt/chain.