2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS vs 2026 Hyundai Venue

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was a compact crossover SUV that leaned more towards a tall hatchback in its design. It featured a front-wheel-drive system and had a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, which was higher than a typical car but not quite as elevated as most crossover SUVs. The Venue's design was more crossover-like, with a small and narrow appearance reminiscent of European runabouts. Its upright windshield and bluff nose gave it an SUV-like demeanor, complemented by standard roof rails and black wheel flares around its 15- or 17-inch wheels. Inside, the Venue offered a simple and functional look, with a digital instrument cluster adding a modern touch, although the small touchscreen felt like an afterthought.

In contrast, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS presented a more luxurious and bold design. The facelifted model featured a striking front end with headlights incorporating three-pointed star elements, a grille adorned with miniature stars, and a black surround that connected the headlights and grille. The rear showcased a star lighting motif with new taillights set into a one-piece panel. The GLS offered a range of models, including the six-cylinder GLS 450 4Matic and the V8 GLS 580 4Matic, along with the AMG GLS 63 and Maybach GLS 680. The interior was dominated by the new Superscreen display, spanning the entire dashboard, and maintained a high level of fit and finish with standard leather upholstery and a panoramic glass roof.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was not known for its performance, as it was powered by a modest 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the front wheels, with no all-wheel-drive option available. The Venue's acceleration was modest, with a 0-60 mph time ranging from 8.5 to 8.8 seconds, aided by its lightweight construction at 2,738 pounds. While it felt peppy in city traffic, the Venue struggled at highway speeds, with the transmission being slow to respond and the engine droning under heavy throttle. Handling was stable and direct, benefiting from its small size and low weight, although the ride could be jiggly on rough surfaces.

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS offered a more powerful and refined performance experience. The GLS 450 featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 375 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.4 seconds. The GLS 580 boasted a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine with 530 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The AMG GLS 63 and Maybach GLS 680 offered even more power, with 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. The GLS featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive, with optional E-Active Body Control for enhanced ride comfort and handling. The GLS provided a smooth and powerful driving experience, with advanced suspension systems and impressive acceleration.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered a practical interior with cloth and H-Tex seats that mimicked sport seats. The front seats provided decent comfort with six-way manual adjustments, although legroom was limited for taller occupants. The rear seat accommodated average-sized adults, but taller passengers would struggle for legroom. The rear seats folded in a 60/40 split, providing 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which was modest compared to larger crossovers. The Venue's interior featured hard black plastic surfaces, with limited soft-touch materials, reflecting its budget-friendly nature.

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS provided a spacious and luxurious interior with seating for six as standard, with an option for a seven-seater configuration. The GLS offered ample headroom and legroom across all three rows, with the third row comparable to larger SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade. The front seats were comfortable, although tall drivers might find it challenging to find an ideal driving position. The optional Executive Rear Seat Package Plus added features like massaging seats and additional legroom. The GLS offered a generous cargo capacity of up to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded, although it trailed some larger competitors. The GLS also boasted a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and optional trailer-backup assist.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue came equipped with a basic 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment, offering limited functionality with phone, radio, media, and phone-projection connections. It lacked features like navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot but included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system was a simple six-speaker unit, with no premium options available.

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS featured the new Superscreen, consisting of three 12.3-inch screens running the MBUX infotainment system. The interface was familiar to previous GLS users, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GLS offered entertainment options for passengers, including a front-passenger screen and optional rear-seat entertainment. A 15-speaker Burmester audio system was standard, with a 26-speaker option available. Additional tech options included a head-up display and digital-key functionality.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered a good set of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver-attention monitor. However, it lacked adaptive cruise control. The Venue received a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA, with some safety ratings from the IIHS unavailable at the time of writing.

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS came with standard driver-assistance features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. Optional features included steering assist, lane-change assist, and a surround-view camera system. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of writing, but the GLS featured Mercedes’ Pre-Safe system for collision protection.