2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE had a mixed reception regarding its exterior design. While it featured an aggressive nose and a sloping, low hood, the design seemed to lose its appeal past the A-pillar, making it almost indistinguishable from its predecessors. The flat taillights and contoured rear helped mitigate its minivan-like appearance, but it still lacked the pitch-perfect proportions seen in competitors like BMW, Audi, and Jaguar. The AMG trim added a sporty touch, but it still couldn't compete with the likes of the BMW X5 M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo. However, the interior was a different story. The redesigned GLE Coupe boasted a streamlined and cohesive look, with a luxurious interior featuring high-quality materials and a stunning layout. The red and black interior of the test car was both loud and palatial, surpassing even Porsche and Audi in terms of opulence.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, on the other hand, presented a polished and minimalist exterior. The Parametric Pixel design, inspired by 8-bit graphics, was used extensively in the lighting elements, giving the car a futuristic yet somewhat polarizing look. The aerodynamic wheels and silver-contrast plastic bits added to its unique appearance. Inside, the Ioniq 5's cabin was a stark contrast to its exterior, featuring a low-key and relaxing design. The "Living Space" theme was evident, with comfortable seats available in black, gray, and dark green hues. The interior utilized sustainable materials, including recycled fibers and bio-materials, making it both eco-friendly and comfortable.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE excelled in performance with its complex suspension and engine setups. The base GLE 350 featured a 255-hp engine with 273 lb-ft of torque, while the GLE 450 offered a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft. The AMG GLE 53 took it up a notch with 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, thanks to an electric supercharger. The GLE 580 boasted a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 483 hp and 516 lb-ft, and the AMG GLE 63 S topped the range with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft. The GLE's air suspension systems, including AIRMATIC and E-Active Body Control, provided exceptional ride quality and handling. The hybrid setup, available on all models except the base GLE 350, offered additional power and seamless auto stop-start functionality. However, fuel efficiency was not its strong suit, with the GLE 450 returning 21/26/23 mpg and the AMG GLE 53 averaging 16 mpg.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 hp and a range of 220 miles. The extended-range variants, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a larger 168-kW rear motor producing 225 hp and 258 lb-ft, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD versions featured a dual-motor system with a total power output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well, with four drive modes, including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. The paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative properties, enhancing the driving experience. The Ioniq 5's quiet cabin and noise-reducing features made for a pleasant ride, regardless of the road surface.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE offered a spacious interior with optional third-row seating, accommodating up to seven passengers. The second-row seats featured power controls for recline, fore-aft, and headrest adjustments. Cargo capacity was 34 cubic feet behind the second row and 75 cubic feet with all rows folded. The GLE Coupe, however, was limited to five passengers and had a smaller cargo capacity of 23 cubic feet behind the second row and 61 cubic feet with all rows folded. The new MBUX infotainment system improved usability with a single touchpad and a simplified interface. The interior featured luxurious materials and thoughtful design elements, making it a comfortable and opulent space.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious and versatile interior. With a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade, the Ioniq 5 provided ample room for passengers and cargo. The total interior volume was 133.7 cubic feet, with a passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet. The rear cargo space was 27.2 cubic feet, slightly less than its competitors. The interior featured soft touch points and comfortable seats, with a moveable center console that added to the versatility. The "Living Space" theme was evident, with a modern take on the retro front bench seat and sustainable materials used throughout the cabin.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE was packed with advanced technology, including a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, which could read hand gestures. The AMG models featured a Track Pace app for virtual pit crew and GPS lap timing. The Seat Kinetics system made small adjustments for comfort, and the head-up display offered customizable layouts. The ambient lighting had 64 colors, and the navigation system projected front camera feed with overlay arrows. The GLE also featured a natural voice assistant, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The semi-automated functionality included lane-changing and curve-slowing capabilities, making it a highly advanced and overengineered vehicle.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured next-generation high-voltage, energy-dense systems with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in 18 minutes and gaining 68 miles of range in 5 minutes. Hyundai partnered with Electrify America to offer unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years. The Ioniq 5 also featured a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for better visibility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its top ratings in six crash tests, headlights, and standard forward emergency braking. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not rated the GLE. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control. The Pre-Safe Sound system played "pink noise" to reduce hearing damage in a crash, and the Pre-Safe Impulse Side system inflated side bolsters for better positioning in a side impact.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. The Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) was a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 also featured a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality overlays, providing animated turn-by-turn navigation. While the NHTSA and IIHS had not released crash-safety ratings for the Ioniq 5, Hyundai's track record suggested high marks were likely.