2025 Hyundai Kona vs 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2025 Hyundai Kona retained its fresh and distinctive appearance from the previous year, ensuring it stood out in the crossover class. Its design featured a largely flush, single-piece grille and ultra-slim LED light bars, giving even the gas-powered models a futuristic look. The Kona's design, with its myriad curves, bulges, and sharp angles, was not classically handsome but managed to create a satisfactory visual impact from most angles. The newer model was notably larger, about six inches longer, which improved interior space and gave it a more assertive road presence. The sportier N Line S and N Line trims featured body-colored bumpers and cladding, enhancing their visual appeal. Other trims, such as SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, and Limited, progressively added visual enhancements like larger alloy wheels and rear privacy glass. The interior remained unchanged from 2024, offering a solidly constructed and airy feel, with tech features like a 64-color ambient interior lighting standard on higher trims.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of versions, with prices starting at $63,600 and going 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, emphasizing its luxury status. The GLE's infotainment system, powered by the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), included a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system offered lush graphics, a biometric authentication system, and a digital voice assistant. The Exclusive Package added a Burmester surround-sound audio system and augmented-reality navigation, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona offered a choice between a fully electric drivetrain and gas-powered models. The gas-powered Kona came with two engine options: a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with Hyundai's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), and a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided a broader torque band, enhancing performance, although it could feel flat at low revs. All-wheel drive (AWD) was available across the lineup for an additional $1,500, offering active on-demand drive to the rear axle and a dedicated Snow mode. AWD models also featured a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension setup, improving ride and handling.

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 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual. The GLE 450 was capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds, a competitive figure for a luxury vehicle. However, the standard suspension allowed too much unwanted body motion, affecting the driving experience. The steering felt numb and overassisted in Comfort mode, while Dynamic mode offered firmer steering but remained uninspiring. The sport braking system performed well during spirited driving but felt grabby in typical situations. The GLE's 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 Hyundai Kona offered a surprising amount of cargo space, with 25.5 cubic feet available with the rear seats in place and 63.7 cubic feet when folded. Rear legroom measured 38.2 inches, providing adequate space for most passengers. The front seats offered a generous range of movement, and the steering wheel was adjustable for reach and height. The interior featured excellent storage options, including shelves, trays, and cubbies. Upholstery options varied by trim, with cloth on lower trims and Alcantara or H-Tex leatherette on higher trims. Heating and ventilation features were available on higher trims, with dual-zone automatic climate control standard on most models.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided a comfortable and spacious interior, with firm yet comfortable front seats featuring "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 low relative to the window sills. A third-row seat was available as an option, adding two extra chairs with USB-C charging ports. The GLE's cargo space measured 33.3 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The cargo area included a netted compartment, robust hooks, lighting, and a cargo cover.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona featured a 12.3-inch central touchscreen infotainment display across all trims, offering wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Higher trims included wireless smartphone charging and Hyundai's digital key. The SEL Convenience trim and above featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, providing more customization options. The N Line and Limited trims offered an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, while lower trims had a six-speaker setup. Hyundai's Bluelink connectivity allowed for over-the-air software updates.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's infotainment system, powered by MBUX, included a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The system offered lush graphics, 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 one year of complimentary access to Mercedes Digital Extras.

The 2025 Hyundai Kona impressed with its standard safety features, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims added features like Highway Driving Assist and enhanced Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist. The Kona included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. It was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's standard safety tech was limited for a luxury SUV, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert. 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 features. The GLE was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, but its front-crash prevention tech earned low ratings.