Benchmark Mercedes-Benz GLE, Volkswagen Touareg

Is the new “Stuttgart” in a simple fixed configuration capable of crushing the representative of Wolfsburg, packed with a full program, by his authority?

Several Mercedes-Benz models have recently been manufactured in the Moscow region near Solnechnogorsk. And in connection with this very localization, the latest GLE crossover is offered for the most part in very limited trim levels, where you can choose only the exterior and interior colors. Volkswagen doesn’t have such a problem: what options you want, and order them. And where the prices for Touareg end, they just begin at GLE – we tested the machines at this junction.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLE significantly increased in size compared to the previous generation model, while it received a smooth, rounded shape, making it look well-fed and solid. Volkswagen Touareg is noticeably inferior to the rival in height and seems wider and squat, and as a result looks like a fit athlete.

We offer Mercedes-Benz with three power units, two of which are turbodiesel: 2-liter 245-horsepower and 3-liter 330-horsepower. The gasoline turbo engine has a volume of 3 liters and develops 367 hp. Prices for the model start at 4,730,000 rubles. For those who want to assemble a car “for themselves” there is only one option – the same 330-horsepower diesel modification in the First Class version at a price of 7,820,000 rubles. Accordingly, when adding options, the cost will only increase.

The starting engine for the Touareg is a 2-liter supercharged gasoline with a capacity of 249 hp. It is followed by: a version with a 3-liter turbodiesel of the same power, as well as a modification with a 3-liter gas turbo engine developing 340 hp Prices start from 3,499,000 rubles. Our test copy is the most sophisticated, 340-horsepower. It costs from 5,059,000 rubles. GLE will compete with it with a 2-liter turbodiesel in the Sport configuration for 5,120,000 rubles. Prices, as we see, next to each other.

Who has more?

As is noticeable in the example of our wards, the fashion for tablets instead of devices and buttons begins to take on hypertrophied forms. So, in the GLE “tidy” and the interface screen (both 12.3-inch diagonal) stand side by side and are combined under one glass. In Touareg, electronic devices are also 12.3-inch, but with a monitor located to the right of them, the diagonal distance is already 15 inches! Because of this screen, the central vents of the ventilation system hid somewhere far below, which can only blow to the navel.

By the way, before the test, we were sure that we would again scold all these touch tablets, since it’s impossible to use them by touch, and it’s not safe to move. But no! For example, in Touareg, the pictograms on the screen are so large that you don’t need to specifically aim at them. In GLE, the pictures are not so large, but to control the interface, you can use the trackpads on the steering wheel or the touchpad on the central tunnel, which does not distract from the road. That is, the new interfaces have finally become not only fashionable, but also practical. At least in these two SUVs. In Mercedes-Benz, by the way, the screens are devoid of a visor, but almost do not glare. The screens in Touareg are also anti-glare, with a matte finish, although the glare on them is slightly more noticeable.

As we already noted, the test GLE has a fixed configuration, and one of the most affordable for the model. Therefore, the front panel is plastic, not leather, like an opponent. However, all the same, the interior of the “Stuttgart” looks expensive and high quality assembled. The only gripe is the lines of the seat trim: they are not very even. You can’t find fault with the finish of the Wolfsburger.

The ranges of adjustments to the steering wheel and seats for both are designed for people of any height and complexion. And the seat profile is anatomical. So for the convenience of driving, we put an equal sign. In Touareg, due to the high front panel, the driver’s landing seems low, almost passenger, although in reality it is identical to the GLE.

We would recognize the second-row seats in Volkswagen as excellent if there were no Mercedes-Benz nearby, in which there are ten centimeters more legroom. GLE on this parameter is ready to compete with executive sedans! And here there may be an electric backrest, electric curtains on the windows and a separate “climate”, but … Only in the aforementioned version of the First Class with a 3-liter turbodiesel, and then the price of the car will exceed 8 million. For our modification, such “goodies” impossible in principle. At the same time, our Touareg (for 5 million with “pennies”) has both a backrest (albeit mechanical) and a separate “climate”.

The luggage racks of both are similar to bottomless caves, where everything that is needed and not needed will enter. Moreover, Volkswagen has a bigger “cave”: when folding a sofa in Mercedes-Benz, it turns out to be a completely flat platform, while its competitor’s is almost flat. Both of them are equipped with “dokatoks” – in GLE the wheel lies in a pumped state, and in Touareg – in a deflated state. Both crossovers are equipped with an electric fifth door.

The devil is in the details

As may seem from the technical specifications, a 245-horsepower diesel Mercedes-Benz should “drain” the 340-horsepower gasoline Volkswagen without resistance. There it was! Touareg’s problems are tangible delays in pressing the accelerator pedal, which do not disappear even when the “sports” mode is activated. Therefore, an SUV from Wolfsburg is perceived as “inhibited”. To achieve intense acceleration, you have to put a lot of pressure on the “gas” and wait a couple of seconds after that. It seems to us that the environmental settings of the engine are to blame for this.

When you change to GLE, the first time you learn to carefully handle the “gas”. The representative of Stuttgart responds to the fuel supply immediately, and no “sports” mode is needed. The car instantly picks up speed and maintains vigorous traction in the entire city speed range. Only on the highway, at speeds beyond the “hundred,” does a turbodiesel lose agility. In the city, he almost surpasses the opponent almost by the head. The only thing that spoils the sensations is the solid sound of a 4-cylinder engine.

We also liked the brake settings more at GLE. The Mercedes pedal responds to pressing immediately, while Volkswagen has a slightly wadded response, which makes it harder to put pressure on the brake.

But the steering, by contrast, is better in the Touareg. Its steering wheel is noticeably sharper (only 2.2 turns from lock to lock), while providing excellent feedback and a logical increase in effort when deviating from the zero position. The longer GLE wheel (2.8 turns) resists, in our opinion, too zealously – as if a taut spring straightens. As for the speed and accuracy of responses to control actions, in this regard, the cars are identical.

Volkswagen is controlled correctly: it slightly resists entering a turn and stands clearly on an arc, demonstrating excellent chassis balance. The crossover reliably keeps the line at high speed – however, only in the absence of rut. Otherwise, the machine begins to deviate from the course, although the correction of labor is not.

Mercedes-Benz does not react to the rut, strictly following the given direction, and it enters into sharp turns almost more willingly. At the same time, the GLE is perceived much more compact than the Touareg, and the dimensions of the Mercedes-Benz feel much better. Volkswagen seems rather bulky on narrow winding roads, while its rival feels in its element. Both have big rolls, and you won’t name any of them athletes, but if you happen to drive fast, it’s more pleasant to do it on Mercedes-Benz.

The smoothness of the Wolfsburg representative is ambiguous. On a relatively flat highway, the crossover literally floats on air suspension. But it’s worth getting under the wheels of patches, sewers or potholes, as the idyll collapses and the SUV begins to tremble with its whole body. And, interestingly, in the “standard” mode, Touareg shakes less than in the “comfortable” mode, so on our roads the “standard” is preferable.

Mercedes-Benz, unlike the rival, on a flat road notices a microprofile and minor irregularities. But it encounters major defects in the roadway assembled, resiliently and silently, causing a feeling of impenetrability of the chassis. That is, his suspension always feels irregularities, but meets them fully armed. As a result, the GLE is perceived as more comfortable, despite the lack of air suspension. At the same time, the most expensive complete sets of Mercedes-Benz with more powerful engines are equipped with “pneuma”, and even the unique E-ABC electrohydropneumatic suspension. But again, all this is in a completely different price range.

In terms of sound insulation, the leader again is the representative of Stuttgart. Moreover, it does not have double glazing (due to the features of the fixed configuration) and studded rubber. However, no tires or other extraneous sounds are heard in the cabin. And even if the engine is annoying, it is only a budget 4-cylinder timbre, but not the volume. A Touareg with double glazing and a quiet Velcro is also good, only the tires in it are much more audible.

Outside the asphalt, Volkswagen has the advantage of air suspension, with which you can increase ground clearance in rough terrain. For the rest, the choice of tires is more decisive, since both cars have well-tuned all-wheel drive systems in their assets, skillfully juggling the moment between the axles.

Thanks to a more advanced configuration, the test Touareg is equipped with many electronic assistants, which the GLE lacks for the above reasons. But both are equipped with automatic emergency braking, and these functions work differently. If the Mercedes system in normal conditions does not find itself, then Volkswagen periodically “gets shy” wherever it gets. For example, in corners, the electronics react to people walking along the sidewalk and raise panic with the help of a sound signal and the corresponding picture on the projection display and dashboard. And once Touareg “scared” so that even activated the automatic brake, and very sharply.

To summarize. In our opinion, the “package” Mercedes-Benz GLE turned out to be a more solid car than the “sophisticated” Volkswagen Touareg. Even despite the very limited configuration, the representative of Stuttgart won the comparative test, demonstrating a more spacious interior and more harmonious driving performance. Seeing for good reason in comparable trim levels, it is priced much more expensive. And we would pay extra, because, despite the victory, this “fixed” Mercedes-Benz GLE left us with a feeling of understatement.

Author

Dmitry Zaitsev, columnist for Avtopanorama magazine

Edition

Auto panorama No. 1 2020

A photo

Kirill Kalapov