2025 Honda Pilot vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Honda Pilot was available in several trims, including the Sport, EX-L, TrailSport, Touring, Elite, and Black Edition. The Sport trim was the most affordable, but it lacked many appealing amenities, making the leather-lined EX-L a recommended upgrade. Prices ranged from $40,200 to $54,580, plus a $1,395 destination charge. The Black Edition, based on the Pilot Elite, featured black wheels, blacked-out exterior trim, and black badges. Inside, it offered black leather seats with red perforation accents, red contrast stitching, and red ambient lighting. The Black Edition’s custom look was more suited for suburban environments, and while the interior was thoughtfully designed with quality materials, the digital displays and infotainment system appeared dated.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered ten versions, with prices from $63,600 to $134,500, including a $1,350 destination charge. The GLE 350 was the least expensive model, featuring rear-wheel drive and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The GLE 450, with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology, was the focus of our review. It included the Exclusive Package and the Manufaktur Edition Package, priced at $79,100. The Manufaktur Edition added exclusive paint, 21-inch wheels, a Night Package, and a panoramic sunroof. While the exterior design was somewhat bland, the interior was elegantly detailed with quality materials, including matte-finish wood and metallic accents. The GLE’s cabin was luxurious, with sophisticated digital displays and a classy steering wheel.

The 2025 Honda Pilot was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, generating 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It offered various driving modes, including Normal, Econ, Snow, Tow, Sport, Trail, and Sand. The Pilot could tow up to 5,000 pounds, and models with the i-VTM4 AWD system provided hill descent control and up to 7.3 inches of ground clearance. The V6 engine delivered good acceleration, but the transmission occasionally felt slow to downshift. Fuel economy was unimpressive, with an average of 20 mpg during testing. The Pilot’s handling was predictable and secure, though an adaptive-damping suspension system would have improved ride quality. The Black Edition’s 20-inch wheels and tires contributed to its handling capabilities.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It had a nine-speed automatic transmission and offered Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual driving modes. The GLE 450 could tow up to 7,700 pounds and included off-road features like Downhill Speed Regulation and a “transparent hood” camera view. However, the standard suspension allowed too much body motion, affecting ride quality. The steering felt numb in Comfort mode, and the brakes were grabby in stop-and-go traffic. The GLE achieved 21 mpg in combined driving, matching the EPA rating.

The 2025 Honda Pilot excelled in form and function, with three rows of comfortable seats and thoughtful storage solutions. However, the front passenger seat lacked adjustability, which was a drawback for long trips. The second-row seats were roomy, and the third row was habitable for adults if the second row slid forward. The Pilot offered 18.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 86.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. Features like a hands-free power tailgate and a triple-zone automatic climate control system added to its family-friendly appeal.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE’s front seats were firm yet comfortable, with features like “energizing seat kinetics” and a power-adjustable steering wheel. The back seat was roomy, though the seating position was low. A third-row seat was an expensive option, adding two extra chairs with USB-C charging ports. The GLE provided 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the back seat folded. Thoughtful storage solutions and a power rear liftgate enhanced its practicality.

The 2025 Honda Pilot’s technology appeared dated, with smaller display screens compared to rivals. The Black Edition featured a 10.2-inch digital gauge panel and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the wireless CarPlay function was problematic, and the voice recognition system was inconsistent. The Pilot’s CabinTalk feature allowed the driver to communicate with passengers over the stereo speakers, and a small head-up display was included.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system offered lush graphics and a range of configurations, with a biometric authentication system 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, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and Mercedes Digital Extras.

The 2025 Honda Pilot came with standard Honda Sensing safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Black Edition also had parking sensors and a multi-view camera system. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems had some issues. The Pilot earned high marks in crash tests, with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE’s standard safety tech included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitors. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other features. The GLE’s Active Emergency Stop Assist and touch-sensing steering wheel rim were noteworthy. However, the route-based speed-adjustment feature was problematic. The GLE earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, but the NHTSA had not rated it at the time of writing.