2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its appearance with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The modernized look featured a flat roof, upright grille, and distinctive “shark fin” C-pillar, giving it a more robust presence akin to the Suburban or Silverado. Each trim level offered unique styling elements, with the base Equinox LT available in chrome or a contemporary Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim sported black mirrors, badges, and red RS emblems, while the new ACTIV trim showcased dark chrome accents and all-terrain tires. The interior of the Equinox was also revamped, with a focus on texture and space. The shifter was moved to the steering column, opening up the center console, and the new infotainment screen was integrated with the driver-information display. The RS and ACTIV trims featured distinct interior themes, with the ACTIV offering a lighter “Maple Sugar and Black” theme and the RS boasting a sportier look with red highlights and contrast stitching.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of versions, with prices starting at $63,600 and reaching up to $134,500. The GLE 450 model, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology, was the focus of this review. The GLE’s exterior design was somewhat bland, but the interior was elegantly detailed with quality materials, including matte-finish wood and metallic accents. The cabin featured sophisticated digital displays and a classy steering wheel, with the climate controls wisely separated from the center touchscreen. The GLE’s infotainment system, MBUX, ran on dual 12.3-inch displays, offering lush graphics and a range of configurations. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system and augmented-reality navigation, enhancing the overall experience. Despite its luxury status, the GLE’s standard safety tech was limited, with many features reserved for the optional Driver Assistance Package.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied with the powertrain, offering 184 lb-ft in front-wheel-drive models and 203 lb-ft in all-wheel-drive versions. The Equinox featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for FWD models and an eight-speed automatic for AWD versions. The eight-speed automatic was noted for its improved performance over the previous six-speed, providing smoother and quieter shifts. The Equinox’s accelerator was responsive at low speeds, but the engine’s limitations became apparent during highway merges. The ride was generally quiet and comfortable, with a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds for AWD models. The Equinox also introduced selectable drive modes, with RS and ACTIV trims offering Normal, Snow, and Off-Road modes.

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 lb-ft of torque. The power was delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission, with driving modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual. The GLE 450 boasted a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and was equipped with off-road features like Downhill Speed Regulation and a “transparent hood” camera view. However, the standard suspension allowed too much body motion, affecting the driving experience. The steering was numb in Comfort mode and only slightly improved in Dynamic mode. The sport braking system performed well in spirited driving but felt grabby in typical situations. The automatic engine stop/start system caused delays in acceleration, and the transmission’s downshifts were noticeable. Despite these issues, the GLE offered a quiet cabin and decent fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard on the RS and ACTIV trims. A $950 package added front seat ventilation, heated rear seats, and driver’s seat memory. The Equinox’s flat roof provided consistent headroom, with 38.2 inches in the front seats with the moonroof and 37.8 inches in the back. The moonroof extended into the rear seats, adding light for passengers. The cargo space measured 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded down, with a hidden storage compartment beneath the load floor.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured firm yet comfortable front seats with heating and “energizing seat kinetics” to reduce fatigue. The Exclusive Package added ventilated front seats and genuine Nappa leather. The back seat was roomy but positioned low relative to the window sills, ensuring a flat load floor when folded. A third-row seat was an expensive option, adding two extra chairs with USB-C ports. The GLE offered 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The cargo area included a netted compartment, hooks, lighting, and a cargo cover, with a large spare tire and hidden storage under the load floor.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Google Built-In, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration projected onto the driver information display, allowing for simultaneous infotainment activity. The voice control system had volume issues in the RS trim tested, but this was not a universal problem. The Equinox’s tech features included an 11.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen, wi-fi hotspot capability, and a six-speaker audio system. Wireless charging was standard for RS and ACTIV trims and available on LT.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE featured the MBUX infotainment system on dual 12.3-inch displays, offering lush graphics and minimal reflections. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system, Dolby Atmos technology, and augmented-reality navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and one year of Mercedes Digital Extras. The Exclusive Package also included Online Music Streaming with Apple Music integration.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package for $1,085, adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, traffic-sign recognition, and a camera rearview mirror. The Chevy Safety Assist suite included standard features like rear park assist, lane-change alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to program a key to enforce speed and volume limitations and provided a “report card” of driving behavior.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE’s standard safety tech included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driver Assistance Package, costing $1,950, added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and more. The GLE’s Active Emergency Stop Assist and touch-sensing steering wheel rim were notable features. However, the route-based speed-adjustment feature was problematic, and the automated lane-change assist was inconsistent. The GLE received a “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS for 2025, but the NHTSA had not rated it at the time of writing.