2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2024 Hyundai Venue

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS exuded a refined elegance that, while understated, promised longevity in its appeal. The GLS 450 model we evaluated featured striking 22-inch AMG rims, a new silver four-louver grille, and polished metal accents, all complemented by a lustrous Twilight Blue paint. Inside, the GLS 450 boasted a sophisticated Bahia Brown over Black interior, enriched with natural-grain Grey Oak, contrast stitching, and polished aluminum accents, creating a luxurious environment synonymous with Mercedes-Benz.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Venue presented a more youthful and practical design. Our test vehicle, in Limited trim with Ecotronic Gray paint, offered a mature yet stylish appearance. Despite its affordability, the Venue's design was appealing, with unexpected style elements like seat stripes and piping, and white trim around the dashboard air vents. The interior, while featuring hard plastics, did not appear cheap, and the digital instrumentation and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display added a touch of modernity to the Venue's cabin.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 was powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, delivering 375 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided smooth and swift acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The GLS 450 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and a variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, offering driving modes like Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual. It had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and an official fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in combined driving. The adaptive air suspension and massive Continental tires contributed to its impressive handling and braking performance.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, equipped with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque, was more suited for city and suburban driving. Weighing 2,612 pounds, the Venue's CVT maximized its power, allowing it to navigate urban environments with ease. However, its suspension struggled on rough surfaces, and the engine became noisy under heavy acceleration. The Venue lacked all-wheel drive, but its 6.7 inches of ground clearance provided some advantage in snowy conditions. It achieved an EPA rating of 31 mpg in combined driving, though our test yielded 30.3 mpg.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a luxurious interior with supple leather surfaces, heated and ventilated front seats, and a commanding view of the road. The Exclusive Trim Package added heated rear seats and a four-zone automatic climate control system. While the second-row captain’s chairs provided comfort, accessing the third-row seat was cumbersome. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue, with its higher ground clearance, facilitated easy entry and exit. The front seats featured manual height adjustment and heated cushions, while the back seat was better suited for two passengers. Storage space was limited, and the Venue lacked rear air conditioning vents and privacy glass. Cargo capacity was 18.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to 31.9 cubic feet when folded.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the latest MBUX infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch displays. The system offered improved graphics and themes, though touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and center console caused occasional frustration. Despite this, MBUX was praised for its intuitive operation, voice recognition, and augmented reality navigation.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display was user-friendly, with logical menus and modern graphics. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited trim added navigation, SiriusXM, and a wireless charger, though it required wired connections for smartphone integration. The Venue's infotainment system was sophisticated, with effective voice recognition.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS came equipped with over 20 significant safety features, adjustable through the MBUX system. The advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were praised for their subtle and smooth operation, enhancing the driving experience without causing irritation.

The 2024 Hyundai Venue included Hyundai SmartSense, offering forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. The Limited trim added cyclist detection. While some systems issued inaccurate alerts, the Venue generally provided adequate safety. The IIHS rated it Good in three crash tests, and the NHTSA awarded it four stars overall.