2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2025 Subaru Forester underwent a noticeable transformation in its styling, focusing on a more generic and streamlined appearance. The exterior enhancements included standard roof rails and 17-inch alloy wheels, with higher trims featuring larger wheels and distinctive accents. The Forester Sport, for instance, showcased bronze trim accents and 19-inch wheels, while the Touring trim boasted a low-profile roof rack and chrome badging. Inside, the Forester's cabin received a more intentional design, with structural dash elements and upgraded upholstery options, including the easy-to-clean StarTex material in the Sport trim. The interior's overall look was more refined, with genuine leather seating surfaces available in the Limited and Touring trims.

In contrast, the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a luxurious and sophisticated interior, despite its somewhat bland exterior design. The GLE 450 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, providing a powerful and smooth driving experience. The interior was elegantly detailed, with matte-finish wood, metallic accents, and ambient lighting creating a premium atmosphere. The GLE's cabin was equipped with advanced technology, including a 12.3-inch digital driver display and touchscreen, offering lush graphics and a range of configurations. The Exclusive Package added ventilated front seats and Nappa leather upholstery, enhancing comfort and luxury. The GLE's back seat provided generous legroom and headroom, although the seating position was somewhat low relative to the window sills.

The 2025 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain was paired with a Lineartonic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, both standard across all trims. The Forester's performance was enhanced by the X-Mode system, which became standard at the Premium trim level, offering improved stability and traction on challenging terrain. The Forester Sport and higher trims received a dual-function version of X-Mode, further enhancing off-road capabilities. Despite its modest acceleration, the Forester impressed with its smooth steering and stability on various surfaces. The EPA rated the Forester's fuel economy at 26 mpg city, 33 highway, and 29 combined, with slight variations for Sport and Touring trims.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid system, delivered 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This power was managed by a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual. The GLE 450 boasted a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, making it suitable for substantial loads. However, the standard suspension allowed excessive body motion, affecting the driving experience in various situations. The GLE's sport braking system performed well during spirited driving but felt grabby in typical traffic conditions. The automatic engine stop/start system occasionally caused delays in acceleration, impacting the overall driving experience. Despite these issues, the GLE offered decent fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, available on the Sport trim and higher. The more vertical rear glass increased cargo space slightly, offering 29.6 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 74.4 cubic feet with them folded down. The Forester's cargo area featured eight heavy-duty hooks, enhancing practicality. While the Forester's cargo space was competitive, it fell slightly short compared to some rivals, such as the Toyota RAV4. The interior offered a dark headliner, power-adjustable seats, and various comfort features, with higher trims adding seat ventilation and memory functions.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided a spacious and comfortable interior, with firm yet supportive front seats featuring heating and "energizing seat kinetics" to reduce fatigue. The Exclusive Package added ventilated front seats and Nappa leather upholstery. The back seat offered generous legroom and headroom, although the seating position was somewhat low. A third-row seat was available as an option, adding two extra chairs with USB-C charging ports. The GLE's cargo area offered 33.3 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The cargo area included a netted compartment, robust hooks, and a large spare tire under the load floor.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual USB-A and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. The base trim featured two 7-inch touchscreens with wired smartphone projection. The Touring trim added a voice-activated navigation system and an 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, available as an option on Sport and Limited trims. Subaru's Starlink connected services suite offered additional capabilities, including Valet Mode and Remote Vehicle Configuration.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system, with a 12.3-inch digital driver display and touchscreen. The system offered lush graphics, biometric authentication, and a digital voice assistant. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system, Dolby Atmos technology, and an augmented-reality video function for navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and one year of complimentary access to Mercedes Digital Extras. The Exclusive Package also included Online Music Streaming, with Apple Music integration.

The 2025 Subaru Forester offered advanced safety features, including Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technology. Enhancements for 2025 included a wider field of view and an electric brake booster. The Touring trim added Emergency Stop Assist, a digital rearview mirror, surround view monitor, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester had not yet been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2024 model received high safety ratings.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's standard safety tech included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and more. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other advanced features. The GLE's Active Emergency Stop Assist and touch-sensing steering wheel rim were notable features. However, some driver aids, such as the route-based speed-adjustment feature, were problematic. The GLE had not received a safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS awarded it a "Top Safety Pick+" for 2025.