Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 Mercedes GLE

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Traverse achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mercedes GLE has not been tested.

The Traverse’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the GLE.

Both the Traverse and the GLE have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the GLE:

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Traverse 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the GLE. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the GLE ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Traverse’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GLE’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Traverse’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Traverse’s reliability 22 points higher than the GLE.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Traverse first among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The GLE isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 44 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 21st.

The Traverse’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 73 more horsepower (328 vs. 255) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (326 vs. 295) than the GLE 350’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Traverse AWD gets better fuel mileage than the GLE 580 4.0 turbo V8 Hybrid running its gasoline engine (19 city/24 hwy vs. 15 city/20 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Traverse uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GLE requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Traverse FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the GLE 450e’s standard fuel tank (19.4 vs. 17.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Traverse has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GLE doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes GLE only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Traverse’s wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the GLE (121 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Traverse is 2 inches wider in the front and .9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GLE.

The Chevrolet Traverse may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 950 pounds less than the Mercedes GLE.

The front grille of the Traverse uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GLE doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Traverse uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The GLE doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Traverse offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GLE can only carry up to 7.

The Traverse has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 4 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.1 inches more rear headroom, .6 inches more rear legroom and 3.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the GLE.

The Traverse’s cargo area provides more volume than the GLE.

Both the Traverse and the GLE offer second row automatic folding seats. The Traverse RS/High Country’s third row seats also fold up or down at the press of a switch. The GLE doesn’t offer automatic folding third row seats.

A Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Traverse, using the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the GLE.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Traverse has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the GLE only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Traverse has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the GLE.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Traverse, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes GLE isn't recommended.

The Chevrolet Traverse outsold the Mercedes GLE by 61% during 2024.