Compare the2025 Chevrolet TraverseVS 2025 Mercedes GLE

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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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.

The Chevrolet Traverse’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Mercedes GLE does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Mercedes GLE:

	Traverse	GLE
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	20.1%	24%
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	208 lbs.
Neck Compression	2 lbs.	17 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	32/13 lbs.	301/184 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Traverse is safer than the Mercedes GLE:

	Traverse	GLE
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	73 lbs.	151 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	518 lbs.	677 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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:

	Traverse	GLE
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.47 in	.87 in
Shoulder Force	-156 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	1.34 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	6 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	915 lbs.	1026 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	-312 lbs.	89 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

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.

Reliability

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.

Engine

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.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Traverse is faster than the GLE 350 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Traverse	GLE
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92.4 MPH	87.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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.

Brakes and Stopping

The Traverse stops shorter than the GLE:

	Traverse	GLE
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	115 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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.

Suspension and Handling

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 Traverse High Country AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the GLE 350 4MATIC pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Traverse High Country AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GLE 350 4MATIC (27.7 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Chassis

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.

Passenger Space

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.

Cargo Capacity

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

	Traverse	GLE
Third Seat Folded	56.6 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	33.3 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	97.6 cubic feet	74.9 cubic feet

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.

Towing

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.

Ergonomics

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.

Recommendations

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.

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