2021 Honda Passport vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Honda Passport was essentially a shortened version of the Pilot, featuring two rows of seats instead of three. This similarity was evident in its design, making it easy to mistake the Passport for a Pilot Sport. Inside, the Passport's dashboard layout was visually identical to that of the Pilot, including Honda’s awkward “button shifter” design. Despite this, the Passport boasted a spacious interior with high-quality materials throughout.

Trim levels for the 2021 Passport included Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The entry-level Sport came with features like 20-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, push-button start, tri-zone climate control, and a seven-speaker audio system. The EX-L added leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and a power rear liftgate. The Touring trim included front-and-rear parking sensors, a hands-free liftgate, and a WiFi hotspot. The top-tier Elite trim offered heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, with its Selenite Gray paint, 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and polished brightwork, was styled to resemble an athletic sneaker from a front three-quarter perspective. Mercedes had shelved many V8-powered models for 2022, leaving the AMG GLE 53 Coupe with a base price of $77,800. Our test vehicle, loaded with options, pushed the MSRP to over $100,000.

Inside, the AMG GLE 53 Coupe was as luxurious as expected, featuring high-end materials and a high-tech appearance with dual-screen instrumentation and infotainment design. The cabin included Nappa premium leather, a Dinamica simulated suede headliner and steering wheel, and brushed aluminum trim. Ambient lighting enhanced the driving experience at night. Despite its complexity, the interior design masked this with a facade of simplicity, though it took time to acclimate to the vehicle's technology.

The 2021 Honda Passport came standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The V6 provided strong acceleration, and the automatic transmission managed power well. The engine's stop-start system could be abrupt, but it had a switch to disable it. The Passport's ride was a blend of comfort and refined handling, with 8.1 inches of ground clearance and AWD models featuring Intelligent Traction Management with Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes. FWD Passports could tow up to 3,500 pounds, while AWD models could tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine making 429 hp at 6,100 rpm and 384 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,800 rpm. It included EQ Boost, a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for extra power and fuel conservation. The EPA estimated 19 mpg in combined driving, with our test vehicle achieving 18.5 mpg. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe had a SpeedShift nine-speed automatic transmission and an AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system with fully variable torque distribution. The AMG Dynamic Select system offered multiple driving modes, and the engine breathed through an AMG sport exhaust system. Performance upgrades included an AMG Active Ride Control suspension and AMG Performance brakes.

In urban settings, the GLE Coupe's speed-sensitive variable-ratio power steering made maneuvering easy, though the optional AMG Performance braking system made smooth stops challenging. The AMG Active Ride Control suspension handled speed humps well but was less forgiving on rougher surfaces. The GLE Coupe felt taut, nimble, and composed in various driving conditions, with a reserve of performance available when needed. In Sport+ mode, it excelled on challenging roads, while Sport mode provided a more rewarding drive on less demanding stretches.

The 2021 Honda Passport offered 100.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 50.5 cubic feet with the second row in use. An additional 2.5 cubic feet was available in an under-floor storage tray. The EX-L trim included a power liftgate, while the Touring and Elite trims featured a hands-free power liftgate. The upright seating position provided excellent visibility, and the center console had a deep bin and an open cargo tray. Both front and rear seats had deep in-door pockets, and the rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, with reclining and sliding capabilities.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe technically held up to five people, but it was more comfortable for four. The front seats had numerous power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions, providing comfort and support. Forward visibility was fine, but rear visibility was challenging, necessitating the use of available cameras. The back seat offered surprising room for adult legs and feet, and the cargo hold provided 27.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 63.2 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. Comfort upgrades included a four-zone automatic climate control system, a Warmth and Comfort Package, and an Air Balance in-cabin fragrance system.

For 2021, Honda made Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard on the Passport, included with the newly-standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This was an advantage over the three-row Pilot, which required a higher trim for these features. However, the Passport's infotainment system had dated graphics, a confusing menu layout, and a volume dial that felt like an afterthought, lacking a tuning dial.

The Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system was standard on the GLE Coupe, featuring dual 12.3-inch screens under a single piece of glass. Standard features included navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Mercedes Me connected services, wireless smartphone charging, and a Burmester surround-sound audio system. MBUX was easy to use, with beautifully rendered graphics, logical menu structures, and multiple interaction methods. The natural voice recognition technology worked well, though the touchpad on the center console was easy to activate inadvertently. Options included an MBUX Interior Assistant, augmented video for navigation, a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and an upgraded Burmester 3D high-end surround-sound system.

The 2021 Honda Passport came well equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. The Passport received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top "Good" scores in most crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with "Acceptable" ratings for headlights, child-seat anchor ease of use, and front crash prevention tech.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe included numerous safety features, such as forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. It also had Pre Safe Sound, which emitted a “pink noise” tone before a collision to protect hearing. The Emergency Call Service was free and available for the vehicle's lifetime. The Driver Assistance Package added 15 additional systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist. The lane-keeping assistance technology was finely tuned, and the adaptive cruise control's route-based speed adaption function could be turned off. Crash-test results for the GLE Coupe were unavailable, but the standard GLE received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.