Name: Mercedes-Benz GLE Review
Item: Mercedes-Benz GLE
Author: Gumtree.com

With the trend for SUVs showing no sign of applying the brakes just yet, the segment has cars for all kinds of buyers. At the top end are those that use their bigger dimensions both to make a statement and to envelop their occupants in luxury. It’s in this space that the Mercedes-Benz GLE goes up against the likes of the BMW X5, Land Rover Discovery and Volvo XC90. Mercedes pretty much created this market segment with its M-Class in the late ’90s. The GLE is a direct heir to that vehicle, but equipped with state-of-the-art tech and a sumptuousness inside that tops anything that’s gone before.

Visit our Mercedes-Benz GLE model page to explore available cars and learn more.

What we think about the Mercedes-Benz GLE

The GLE is a big, serious SUV that’s finished with the kind of luxury you might expect from a Merc.

Pros

Gorgeous interior

Quiet cruising

Plenty of legroom in the second row

Cons

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Cramped third row

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Smaller boot than others in its class

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Standard suspension feels quite firm

The GLE arrived in 2015 as the replacement for Mercedes’ outgoing M-Class. It was more of a rebrand than a completely new car, though the front end, materials and safety systems all received a refresh. The second-generation GLE arrived in 2019 and debuted E-Active Body Control, a fully networked hydro-pneumatic suspension. It’s available in five trim levels, with GLE 350 the entry level and GLE 63 the top of the range.

Driving performance of the Mercedes Benz Gle

Our Driving Rating7 / 10

Ride comfort is a big deal in a luxury SUV, and it’s here that the air suspension option comes into its own. Around town and on the motorway, it feels plusher than even a Land Rover Discovery. Stepping up to the GLE 53 brings a slightly stiffer air suspension that’s more suited to bumpy country roads. If a comfortable ride is important to you, the air suspension delivers this far better than the standard steel suspension. The range of engines deliver punchy performance, with the strong and smooth acceleration particularly noticeable with the six-cylinder 400d.

Safety and reliability of the Mercedes Benz Gle

Our Safety Rating9 / 10

The GLE received the full five stars from Euro NCAP as recently as 2019. It’s bristling with all the safety tech you might expect from a Mercedes SUV – you’ll find active lane assist, front and rear cross-traffic alerts and adaptive cruise control, along with driver fatigue detection, blind-spot monitoring and auto-emergency braking. It’s also fitted with nine airbags, three top-tether restraints for child seats and dual Isofix anchors in the second row. The GLE also rates impressively for reliability in the luxury SUV class.

Under the bonnet of the Mercedes Benz Gle

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

The GLE launched with the choice of a 2.0-litre diesel engine and 3.0-litre petrol, both with a nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard. Further options have been added since, including the powerful 400d diesel, and the muscular 350de plug-in hybrid. The 3.0-litre straight-six turbocharged engine will take you from 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph. Those who want towing capacity to match the best in class can add the towing pack to any model except the 300d, boosting the limit from 2,700kg to 3,500kg.

What you'll find in the Mercedes Benz Gle

Our Design Rating7 / 10

Luxury SUVs are meant to make a statement, and the GLE certainly doesn’t look unassuming. It combines muscular lines with a sleek silhouette and imposing grille to create an athletic-looking vehicle with real presence. The 2019 reboot softened the styling somewhat, giving it a less aggressive and more streamlined feel. LED graphics and wheels ranging up to 22 inches sprinkle on some extra wow factor when viewed from the outside.

Comfort and interiors in the Mercedes Benz Gle

Our Comfort Rating9 / 10

It’s inside the cabin that the GLE really comes into its own. The exceptional finish and array of high-end kit combine with acres of space and practical touches to produce an interior that few can match. There are high-quality plastics throughout, brushed aluminium running across the dashboard, banks of air vents and ambient lighting. An open-pore wood finish brings a ruggedly SUV take on cabin luxury. The quality is particularly apparent in the later generation, which also offers a seven-seat option, with slide and recline functions on the second row of seats allowing you to shuffle the space to meet your needs.

What features you'll find in the Mercedes Benz Gle

Our Features Rating8 / 10

All GLEs come kitted out with Mercedes’ top-of-the-line infotainment system, with a dual 12.3-inch screen stretching across the dashboard. This incorporates features including a DAB radio, Bluetooth and satnav. Fans of Apple’s Siri will feel at home using ‘Hey Mercedes’ to have the system do their bidding. The digital instrument cluster boasts crystal-clear graphics, and you also get heated front seats, a 360˚ parking camera and adaptive high-beam headlights. Options include the AMG Sport package, which adds a panoramic roof, wireless phone charging and leather upholstery, and the Night Package which adds a dash of cool with black exterior accents. For those looking for a truly relaxing drive, the Energising Package Plus offers massaging seats, heated armrests and air fragrances.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Mercedes Benz Gle

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

The 300d diesel engine is predictably the most frugal option, delivering a claimed 46.3 mpg. The GLE 450 petrol engine is a fair bit thirstier, delivering 33.6 mpg. For the best fuel economy, go for the plug-in hybrid, with the tech taking that figure up to an official 403.6 mpg. You’ll need to do a lot of electric-only driving to get close to that, mind.

Running costs of the Mercedes Benz Gle

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Mercedes’ three-year, unlimited mileage warranty is less generous than many available in the wider car market, but fairly standard for the luxury SUV class. Insurance groups range from 44 to 50. Drivers who will be using the car mostly for short journeys might be tempted by the hybrid option, as the vastly improved fuel economy when running largely on electric will keep running costs down. Some rivals are likely to depreciate more slowly than the GLE, including the Audi Q7, the BMW X5 and the Land Rover Discovery.

Our verdict of the Mercedes Benz Gle

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Mercedes GLE is a comfortable cruiser of an SUV, with a stunning interior that outdoes its rivals in a class where luxury really matters.

Mercedes-Benz GLE Review