2025 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban maintained its iconic presence in the full-size SUV market, balancing modern updates with its traditional design. Chevrolet carefully restyled the Suburban, introducing a new front fascia and rear end, along with updated lighting signatures, while preserving its recognizable profile. The trim lineup remained consistent, offering a range from the basic LS to the luxurious High Country, with options for 24-inch wheels on select trims. Inside, the Suburban saw significant improvements, including a sophisticated dashboard, a modern steering wheel, and a stunning 17.7-inch touchscreen display, elevating the interior experience beyond its 2024 predecessor.

In contrast, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a luxurious yet understated exterior design, with the standard GLE body style featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology. The GLE 450, equipped with the Exclusive and Manufaktur Edition Packages, boasted exclusive paint, 21-inch wheels, and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, the GLE impressed with its elegant cabin, featuring matte-finish wood, ambient lighting, and sophisticated digital displays. The seating was comfortable, though the back seat's low position relative to the window sills was noted. The GLE provided ample cargo space, with 33.3 cubic feet behind the back seat and 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban offered a choice of three engines, starting with a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. The 6.2-liter V8, available on higher trims, delivered 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. The standout option was the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six Duramax diesel engine, which saw a power increase to 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the Suburban's engines provided smooth performance, with the diesel offering impressive fuel efficiency. The vehicle's steering was light, though the brake pedal required some acclimation. The Magnetic Ride Control suspension, standard on higher trims, improved ride quality, while the optional 24-inch wheels, though visually striking, were deemed too harsh for rough roads.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, generating 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The nine-speed automatic transmission offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual. Despite its luxury status, the GLE 450 was equipped for off-roading and towing, with a capacity of 7,700 pounds. However, the standard suspension allowed excessive body motion, impacting the driving experience. The steering, though comfortable to hold, felt numb and overassisted. The sport braking system performed well under pressure but was grabby in typical driving situations. The GLE's fuel economy was commendable, achieving 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban excelled in interior space, offering vast passenger room across three rows and a massive cargo capacity. With 41.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a maximum of 144.7 cubic feet with all seats down, the Suburban was unmatched in cargo volume. It also boasted excellent towing capacity, with the ability to tow up to 8,300 pounds when properly equipped. The diesel engine provided an advantage in fuel economy, allowing for extended highway driving on a single tank.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided a comfortable and quiet cabin, with firm yet supportive front seats featuring heating and "energizing seat kinetics." The back seat offered generous legroom and headroom, though the seating position was low. A third-row seat was available as an option, adding versatility. The GLE's cargo space measured 33.3 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. Thoughtful storage solutions and a power rear liftgate added convenience.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban made significant strides in technology, featuring a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, complemented by an 11-inch driver information display and an optional 15-inch head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, alongside Google Built-in for seamless integration of Google services. While the user interface was attractive, some aspects, like customizing the driver display, were unintuitive. Physical buttons for essential functions remained, providing a user-friendly experience.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE utilized the MBUX infotainment system, with dual 12.3-inch displays offering lush graphics and minimal reflections. The system included a biometric authentication feature and a digital voice assistant. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system and augmented-reality navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with additional connected services available through the Exclusive Package.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review, though the 2024 model received four out of five stars from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian and bicycle braking, and a surround-view camera. GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving technology was available on higher trims.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitors. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other advanced features. The GLE's Active Emergency Stop Assist was notable for its ability to bring the vehicle to a stop in emergencies. The IIHS awarded the GLE a "Top Safety Pick+" rating for 2025.