The benchmark of family focused, luxury plug-in hybrid SUVs is the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge. I previously compared it against the BMW X5 50e (45e as it was known at the time) and while the BMW was the better driving SUV, the XC90 was still a better family SUV. This time around, I’m pitting the new 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e plug-in hybrid against the yardstick that is the XC90 Recharge.
Performance
Engine – Let’s remind ourselves about the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge. It has a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 312 hp & 295 lb-ft of torque (233 kW & 400 Nm). With the addition of the electric motor, total output of 455 hp & 523 lb-ft of torque (339 kW & 710 Nm). The electric motor produces 143 hp & 228 lb-ft of torque (106 kW & 309 Nm). Volvo claims a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5.3 seconds. From behind the steering wheel, this is a quick SUV. Thanks to the instant torque of the electric motor, you immediately feel the rush of acceleration. Quickly thereafter, the gasoline engine is in its sweet spot rpm range and it provides the bulk of the power. At no time did it feel as though this powertrain was lacking in power.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e is also powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which produces 248 hp & 295 lb-ft of torque (185 kW & 400 Nm) on its own. With the 134 hp & 325 lb-ft (100 kW & 440 Nm) electric motor, total output of the GLE 450e is 381 hp & 479 lb-ft of torque (284 kW & 650 Nm). Mercedes-Benz claims a 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds, although Mercedes always errs on the side of caution so I wouldn’t be surprised if that sprint time is closer to 5.8 seconds. Regardless, the GLE genuinely feels slower than the XC90 when you drive these luxury PHEV SUVs. It has the same quick reaction thanks to the electric motor, but it is evident that it’s down on power compared to the Volvo.
Transmission – The XC90 Recharge utilizes an 8-speed automatic while the GLE 450e has a 9-speed automatic. Of the two, the 9-speed in the Mercedes is a little bit faster to react than the 8-speed in the Volvo. That being said, they’re both smooth in everyday driving and the electric motors hide some of the rougher shifts.
Fuel Economy – On paper, if you don’t recharge the batteries of these SUVs, then it’s the Volvo XC90 that comes out on top as having better fuel economy figures. But in reality, I found things to be the opposite. The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge is rated for 9.1 L/100km (25.8 MPG) in a city and 8.6 L/100km (27.4 MPG) on a highway. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e is rated for 10.5 L/100km (22.4 MPG) in a city and 9.1 L/100km (25.8 MPG) on a highway. I did a little test of driving both cars back to back over the exact same road within an hour of each other while in Battery Hold mode and I managed to get 9.5 L/100km (24.7 MPG) in the Mercedes GLE 450e and 10.3 L/100km (22.8 MPG) in the Volvo XC90. Over the duration of my week driving both cars and recharging the batteries, I averaged 4.8 L/100km (49 MPG) in the GLE and 6.4 L/100km (36.7 MPG) in the XC90.
Range & Charging – The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge has an 18.8 kWh battery back positioned in the transmission tunnel between the front & rear axle. The car is rated for up to 53 km (33 Miles) of electric-only driving. I only managed to squeeze 47 km (29 Miles) out of a single charge but this was in colder than normal temperatures, climate control running at all times, and the trip involved going up and down some hills which means more energy is used when going uphill than recuperated when going back down.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e has a larger 23.3 kWh battery pack that allows the luxury SUV to drive for up to 77 km (48 Miles). I managed to drive for 79 km (49 Miles) with a single charge under similar conditions as the Volvo. However, due to the long range, I did drive a bit more on a flat highway in the GLE450e which is perhaps why I was able to get slightly better all-electric range.
Volvo says that it’ll take around 3 hours to recharge the XC90 T8 from a level 2 charger that is putting out 6.4 kW. I didn’t have access to one so I just plugged it into a regular wall socket and let it recharge overnight. The GLE450e will take longer due to its larger battery. However, it has one advantage over the Volvo because it is available with an optional 60 kW DC charge port. This will allow it to recharge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes. From a 9.6 kW AC charger, 10% to 100% is said to be completed in just under 3 hours.
Battery Modes – The Volvo XC90 Recharge can start up in Pure (electric-only) or auto hybrid mode. The Pure mode will use all of the battery’s energy until it’s drained after which the engine seamlessly starts up. But pushing the throttle and engaging the kickdown will turn on the engine even if there’s still a battery charge. Auto hybrid mode will primarily use the electrical energy unless faster acceleration is required. It will turn the engine on under more throttle application and without engaging the kickdown of the pedal. There’s also Hold and Recharge modes. These will hold the battery charge at whatever state it is at for future use or it will turn the engine on and slowly recharge the battery. The latter of which uses more fuel. The car also has a Constant AWD mode, Power and Off-Road drive modes. The annoying thing is that in order to change between the different modes in the Volvo, you have to click a few times on the touchscreen (while driving) which I find to be more distracting. Even more annoying is that Volvo had a dedicated drive mode scroll wheel on the center console in older models but they decided to get rid of it.
The Mercedes GLE 450e has hybrid, EV-only, Battery Hold, Sport, Individual, and Off-Road modes. Hybrid operates the same way as in the Volvo with harder pushes of the throttle pedal will turn the engine on. The engine will also turn on if you push the throttle pedal all the way in EV mode. Battery hold keeps the battery charge at whatever state it is at but the car does not have a battery recharge mode. However, as I said earlier, this will use more fuel. Best of all, the GLE has a dedicated toggle switch to change the modes very quickly while driving.
Braking – Both cars use regenerative braking to recoup some energy as well as slowing down the big SUVs. The Volvo takes it one step further by allowing the driver to use a one-pedal mode to slow down and stop the car. Just ensure that the creep function in the infotainment system is switched off. The GLE 450e does not have a one-pedal mode. It has no regen, low regen, and high regen modes along with an auto regen mode. The auto mode will detect if there’s a vehicle in front of the GLE and adjust the regen braking force accordingly. More regen braking when the car ahead slows down, and little to no regen braking if the car ahead is moving at a constant speed.
As for the physical brakes, both SUVs stop quickly and effortlessly. The blend between regen braking and the physical brakes is seamless in both vehicles. As for the brake pedal feel, the one in the XC90 is a little bit firmer than the one in the GLE 450e.
Handling – Neither of these large luxury SUVs were meant to be sporty driving vehicles. Having said that, it’s actually the Volvo XC90 Recharge that is the better of the two to drive if you find yourself on interesting and winding roads. It has sharp and well weighted steering with suspension that limits body roll through the twisties to great effect. You’ll still feel a hint of torque steer as the SUV exits a corner under full throttle applications because at the end of the day, the front wheels still have to deal with over 300 hp. The electric motor in the XC90 powers the back wheels. But of these two, I’m surprised to say that it is the more enjoyable driving SUV.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e feels much more at home on a highway or in a busy city. It feels planted around twisting roads but it has more body roll and the steering has an odd on-center feel. It’s akin to a video game steering wheel, and not the expensive kind.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – While the 2024 GLE 450e may not be as enjoyable through twisting and winding roads, it is the one you’d want to be in for the utmost comfort. This particular demo vehicle was not equipped with the air suspension system (neither was the Volvo XC90) but the ride is plush over any road surface.
The XC90 Recharge also provided a comfortable ride but the difference between the two SUVs is easily noticeable. Cracked pavement and quick, sharp bumps are more prominent in the Volvo than in the Mercedes-Benz.
As for the seats, I found them both to be equally comfortable. Both had plenty of padding and just enough bolstering on the side to keep me in them while driving through corners. The Mercedes, however, was equipped with massaging front seats for that extra bit of comfort. Massaging seats are available in the XC90 as well but this demo car did not have them equipped.
Interior Space – For a larger family, the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge provides more flexible options. For a start, it comes standard with a 3rd row of seats and consumers can option it with either 6 or 7 passenger seating. The front & 2nd row seats provide plenty of space for adults, even those that are as tall as me at 6’4”. The 2nd row seats can recline and slide forwards or backwards. The 3rd row is tight for adults but I don’t think it was ever designed with full grown adults in mind.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e is only available as a 2-row SUV. The non-PHEV versions, however, are still available with a 3rd row but that 3rd row in the GLE is even tighter than in the XC90. But because this demo GLE does not have a 3rd row, it means that there is a bit more leg space in the back seats than the 2nd row of the Volvo. Additionally, the back seats are just as comfortable as the front seats, minus the massaging function.
Behind the 3rd row of the Volvo, it has 447 L (15.8 cu-ft) of space. Behind the 2nd row, it’s 1,183 L (41.8 cu-ft). Finally behind the 1st row, it’s 2,426 L (85.7 cu-ft). The GLE 450e has 892 L (31.5 cu-ft) behind the 2nd row and 2,121 (74.9 cu-ft) with the 2nd row seats folded. The XC90 has a little bit of space underneath the floor but the GLE 450e does not.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – With both vehicles being plug-in hybrids, they are both very quiet when they’re being driven in their respective EV modes. When the engines need to turn on, both are seamless and unnoticeable. But the biggest difference between the two is when you find yourself on a highway. There’s a bit more tire noise intruding into the cabin of the Volvo than the cabin of the Mercedes-Benz. Now don’t get me wrong, the XC90 Recharge is still quiet compared to other luxury SUVs but the GLE is on another level.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – Both luxury SUVs are expensive. There’s no sugarcoating it. However, of the two, the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge has a lower starting price at $83,500 CAD ($71,900 USD) while the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e starts at $90,100 CAD ($69,500 USD). As these cars are equipped, the XC90 is $98,850 CAD ($83,300 USD) while the GLE 450e is $102,630 CAD ($84,840 USD). Neither are fully loaded but there are more options to be added to this Mercedes-Benz than the Volvo.
Gadgets – For the most part, both luxury SUVs are equipped with the same convenience features. Though these SUVs are equal, one is more equal than the other. For a start, they’re both available with Nappa leather upholstery with heated, ventilated & massaging front seats, heated 2nd row seats, heated steering wheels, panoramic sunroofs, head-up displays, premium audio systems (Burmester in the Mercedes, Bowers & Wilkins in the Volvo), they both also have surround view cameras, built-in navigation systems or the use of Google based navigation through wireless Apple CarPlay & wireless Android Auto, and they both have a 4-zone automatic climate control.
However, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has a few more features. These include a wireless phone charging pad, soft-close doors, front cupholders that can heat or cool your drink, augmented reality for the navigation system, a cabin fragrance system, and the excellent 64-colour ambient lighting system.
The infotainment systems of each car couldn’t be any different as well. The Volvo utilizes an Android Automotive based system which has Google built-in apps. You can sign in using your Google account and have a lot of your personalized settings already loaded up on the system. You can also watch YouTube videos on this infotainment as well. If you’re not an Android user, it does support wireless CarPlay as well.
The infotainment system in the GLE is MBUX. It does not have the same design as the systems that are found in the Mercedes EQ vehicles but the functionality is the same. It is customizable to a certain degree but some items, such as the massage programs, require a few clicks in order to reach them.
Interior Design – If you’ve been in one Volvo, you’ve been in all of them. The 2024 XC90 Recharge has the same design as every other Volvo in the lineup. A portrait oriented touchscreen is the main focal point with just one large dial for the volume control underneath it. The vehicle start/stop knob is on the center console and it uses a crystal shifter to select the gears. The materials are great with real wood and aluminum trim cover parts of the dashboard and center console while soft leather covers the rest. I do like Volvo’s use of carpet up the side of the center console as it reduces the use of hard plastics and gives the cabin a premium feel.
The interior of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e looks the same as other trims of the GLE. Thankfully the GLE has not yet received a complete overhaul like many other Mercedes vehicles which means that it still has physical controls for the climate functions. But the steering wheel controls have changed to the newer version which means swiping and getting frustrated when the “button” doesn’t recognize the correct swiping motion. But otherwise, it still has the touchpad for the infotainment control on the center console should you not want to get fingerprints on the infotainment screen and the materials are good as well with real leather and wood or aluminum trim.
Exterior Design – Apart from the badges and extra charge flap on the outside, there’s no way of knowing that these two luxury SUVs are plug-in hybrids. The Volvo looks timeless while the Mercedes exudes luxury. The only option I would avoid on the Mercedes are the aluminum running boards. For my height, it makes getting in and out awkward and I have to extend my legs a lot more than if they weren’t there. Plus, my jeans will keep part of them clean as the dirt gets wiped off on the back of my leg.
Safety – The Core XC90 Recharge (base) has nearly every safety and driver aid feature. Moving up to this Ultimate level will add Pilot Assist with adaptive cruise control, surround view cameras, and front & rear parking sensors. Every other feature like blind spot sensors, automatic emergency braking, lane keep and so on are all standard. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e is equipped with a lot of the same standard safety & driver aids. It has an available Driver Assistance Package which adds more advanced versions of the standard safety systems such as evasive steering assist, active lane change assist, and route-based speed adaptation among many others.
The IIHS awarded the 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge with a Top Safety Pick award while the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE received a Top Safety Pick+ Award.
Warranty – The 2024 Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge has a similar warranty period to its German rivals. It comes with a 4 year / 80,000 km new vehicle and powertrain warranty. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE450e is the same with a 4 year / 80,000 km new vehicle and powertrain warranty.
Conclusion – Although both are plug-in hybrid luxury SUVs, its their subtle differences that really make them stand apart from each other. If you want a practical family SUV with good driving dynamics, the Volvo is the right way to go. If you want something with a longer all-electric range and a plush ride, the Mercedes-Benz is your best bet. They are same same, but different 😉
Thank you to Mercedes-Benz Canada for providing the GLE 450e. www.Mercedes-Benz.ca
Thank you to Volvo Canada for providing the XC90 Recharge. www.VolvoCars.com
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e Gallery
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge Gallery
