The 2024 GV80 looms large in the mid-size luxury SUV segment. It has a ton of standard features, an elegant and distinguished exterior design, and athletic driving dynamics. Its sumptuous cabin features a large cargo area and an infotainment system stacked with entertainment and connectivity features. The combination makes for an alluring, well-rounded vehicle.
However, for die-hard Mercedes-Benz fans shopping for a two-row SUV, the GLE class is likely the first model that comes to mind. Like the GV80, it has a well-designed exterior and a luxe cabin, but if you dare to step outside the Mercedes-Benz brand, you may find that the GV80 has more to offer. Let’s line these vehicles up for a side-by-side comparison to find out.
Both the Genesis GV80 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class have stately exterior designs with elements that give them a mildly athletic appearance. The GV80’s front fascia is dominated by a large double mesh G-Matrix Crest grille flanked by a pair of two-line LED headlamps. The athletic body sits on 19-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires. There are several unique wheel designs to choose from and six exterior color options that include colors like Capri Blue, Vik Black, and Makalu Gray.
The Mercedes-Benz exterior is a study in minimalistic design. It has clear, clean lines throughout, including double lines across the mesh grill centered by a large Mercedes-Benz logo. LED headlamps and taillights and 19-inch wheels with seven available wheel designs are standard. There are 12 exterior color options to choose from including Black, Polar White, and Cirrus Silver metallic.
Which exterior is best is ultimately up to your design tastes. If you prefer a more striking design, the GV80 will appeal to you more. If you prefer a clean, refreshing design, the GLE SUV will be more your speed.
Inside, both models have a spacious cabin with plenty of room in both rows. The materials, infotainment features, and other creature comforts are determined by trim level. It must be stated that the GV80 has a lower starting MSRP and a total of eight trim levels providing a variety of price points and a more accessible lineup. The GLE SUV starts at nearly $4,000 more than the GV80 and stays that way throughout its lineup which consists of only four gas-powered trims (hybrid models not reviewed here).
Despite the price differences the GV80 and the GLE SUV have nearly identical standard interior features. Both feature leatherette upholstery, heated and power-adjustable front seats with memory settings, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, and proximity keyless entry. In addition to their shared base-trim features, the GV80 tacks on a panoramic sunroof (standard-sized sunroof in the base GLE model), rear shades, and a heated steering wheel.
Climbing up through the GV80’s trim line you’ll find real wood inlays, leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power-folding optional third-row seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, power sunshades, power soft-close doors, and heated second-row seats. While many of these features are available by purchasing the Exclusive or Pinnacle packages on the GLE, none come standard until the highest GLE trim – the GLE 580.
Behind the second row, the GV80 has 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space, and with all the seats folded it sports a maximum cargo capacity of 84 cubic feet. Loading and unloading are made easy by a standard hands-free power liftgate.
The GLE SUV comes up short with just 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and a total of 74.9 cubic feet of space with all of the seats folded. The GLE also has a standard hands free power liftgate.
The Genesis GV80 engine options:
The GLE SUV engine options:
The dash of the 2024 GV80 has a massive 14.5-inch touchscreen with snappy responses and intuitive menus. The Mercedes Benz GLE SUV has a smaller 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Both models have the following standard features:
Standard the GV80 also has four USB charging ports and a 12-speaker stereo that can be upgraded to a 21-speaker sound-system
The GLE has five USB charging ports and an 8-speaker sound system that can be upgraded to a 13-speaker sound system.
The GV80 and the GLE both have extensive lists of safety and driver assistance lists. Which features are standard and which you’ll need to fork over a little more cash for is the question.
On both models you’ll find the following features on the base trim:
The GV80 adds standard lane departure warning, highway driving assist, rear-seat alert, and safe exit assist.
While the GLE SUV skips those features entirely or features them in an available trim or package with a heftier price tag, it does offer a standard surround-view camera system and hands-free parking assist.
The GV80 features a more spacious interior, a larger infotainment system with more standard technology features, more powerful engine options, as well as a longer list of safety features – all for a more affordable price. If you find the GV80’s features, style, and price appealing, visit us at Gettel Genesis of Sarasota to explore which trim and packages will be best for you.
