2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a range of ten versions, with prices spanning from $63,600 to $134,500, including a $1,350 destination charge. Assembled in Alabama, the base model was the GLE 350, featuring rear-wheel drive and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. At the higher end, the AMG GLE 63 S Coupe came with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive and a hand-built twin-turbo V8 engine. Our focus was on the GLE 450, equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology. The GLE 450e variant offered a plug-in hybrid option with an estimated 49 miles of electric-only range. The GLE 450, priced at $79,100, included the Exclusive Package and the Manufaktur Edition Package, which added exclusive paint, 21-inch wheels, and a panoramic sunroof, among other features. Despite its luxurious interior with matte-finish wood and ambient lighting, the GLE's exterior design was considered bland, though the GLE Coupe's design was more appealing.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with the X-Line and X-Pro models featuring distinctive grille designs and amber accent lights. The side profile showcased angular fender sculpting and unique black plastic tabs, while the rear resembled a Range Rover with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride's interior was simple yet modern, with a horizontal dashboard layout. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, with the Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone interior, though some button labels were hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, were somewhat firm, but the surrounding materials were of excellent quality. The Telluride offered various trim surfaces, including engineered wood and carbon fiber, providing a range of aesthetic options.

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. This power was delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission, with driving modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Individual. The GLE 450 was capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds, a notable figure for a luxury SUV. Despite its off-road capabilities, our test focused on everyday driving, where the standard suspension allowed excessive body motion, impacting comfort and handling. The steering was numb in Comfort mode and overly firm in Dynamic mode, while the brakes were grabby in typical driving situations. The automatic engine stop/start system caused delays in acceleration, and the transmission's downshifts were noticeable. However, the GLE excelled in long-distance travel, offering a quiet cabin and decent fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid system was paired with a six-speed transmission, and all-wheel drive was standard on midrange trims and above. The Telluride Hybrid offered a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The X-Pro Prestige trim, with its off-road suspension, provided comfort and capability on rough terrain. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride due to its 20-inch wheels, but the suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections. The Telluride's handling was composed, though not particularly sporty, and the brake pedal required some adjustment. Overall, the Telluride Hybrid delivered a comfortable and confident driving experience.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE provided a 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 headroom and legroom, though 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, hooks, lighting, and a cargo cover, with additional storage under the load floor.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost seats were better suited for smaller passengers due to low-mounted cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, providing comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for flexible cargo and legroom configurations. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 89.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride also provided thoughtful storage solutions, including a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and door pockets.

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, 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 Mercedes Digital Extras. The system was user-friendly, though the voice assistant occasionally misinterpreted urgent requests.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The infotainment system was easy to use, though it occasionally required a hard tap to register inputs. The climate control screen was difficult to view while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered customizable screen themes and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system on higher trims, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE's standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Driver Assistance Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and other advanced features. The GLE's Active Emergency Stop Assist was a notable feature, automatically stopping the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. However, some driver aids, such as the route-based speed-adjustment feature, were inconsistent and frustrating. The GLE received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for 2025, though its front-crash prevention tech earned low ratings.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard safety features such as frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's driver attention monitor occasionally triggered false alerts at night, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful. However, the highway driving assist was effective on long trips, maintaining lane position and speed smoothly.