Background
Think of all the reasons not to like a large, luxury SUV. Thirst. Poor performance. Huge tax liabilities. Wobbly handling. Yet upper-middle class motorists still love them, patiently sure that one day, the brands involved would bring us something better. Something perhaps, like this - the W164-era Mercedes GLE, first launched in 2019, then lightly updated four years on. In early 2025, the powertrain range was updated too, all of this creating the car we're going to look at here. This contender sits at the heart of the large section of the luxury SUV segment, just above the brand's more compact Audi Q5 or BMW X3-sized GLC model. And just below the Range Rover-sized Mercedes GLS.
As you might be aware, cars in this GLE's class tend to fall into two categories in their approach to likely buyers. Seven-seat practicality is favoured by SUVs like Land Rover's Discovery, Audi's Q7 and Volvo's XC90 - which is one way to go. As an alternative, contenders like BMW's X5, Porsche's Cayenne and Volkswagen's Touareg give you only five seats but offer more dynamic looks and agile handling. Visually, this Mercedes seems naturally to slot into the X5/Cayenne/Touareg category, but it actually comes with seven seats and hopes to appeal to both areas of this segment. There's also separately-styled GLE Coupe model.
Driving Experience
All GLE variants feature 4MATIC 4WD and the wide powerplant range starts with the base four cylinder 2.0-litre GLE 300 d, a mild hybrid with a 269hp 2.0-litre four cylinder diesel unit boosted by a 20hp electric motor.
Next up are the two Plug-in Hybrids; starting with the GLE 350 de diesel, a PHEV which offers that 2.0-litre 252hp engine paired to a 152hp electric motor energised by a 31.2kWh battery offering up to 67 miles of EV driving range. If you don't want diesel, there's also a Plug-in Hybrid petrol model, the GLE 400 e, which uses a 2.0-litre 252hp petrol engine paired to a 152hp electric motor, again energised by a 31.2kWh battery, here with up to 68 miles of EV range.
If you'd like your conventional GLE with a 3.0-litre six cylinder engine, there's a choice of two mild hybrid models which pair their engines to a 22hp motor; either the GLE 450 d diesel with 367hp or the GLE 450 petrol with 381hp.
There's just as much choice in the Mercedes-AMG sporting part of the range. Things there kick off with a 53 4MATIC+ mild hybrid 3.0-litre six cylinder model with 435hp. Next up us the 53 HYBRID, a PHEV model mating a 449hp version of that 3.0-litre 'six' with a 170hp electric motor energised by the aforementioned 31.2kWh battery, which when charged can travel up to 56 miles on EV power; 62mph from rest takes just 4.7s. Finally, if you're totally out of tune with the current zeitgeist, you could stretch to the thumping GLE 63, which has a defiantly un-electrified 612hp 4.0-litre petrol V8 and demolishes 62mph in just 3.9s.
As before, in all variants, power is transmitted via 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission. Ride comfort and agility are promised by the optional 48V E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL suspension, which is combined with the optional AIRMATIC air suspension. This is the only system in the market where the spring and damping forces can be individually controlled at each wheel. This means that it not only counteracts body roll, but also pitching and squat.
On conventional models, an optional 'Off-Road Engineering' package adds under-body protection, air suspension and 30mm of extra ground clearance. If air suspension and the 'E-Active Body Control' system have been fitted, Mercedes says the GLE can tow up to 3.5-tonnes. And the car can be had with a clever 'Trailer Manoevring assist' system and also a 'trailer route planner' in the nav system to help drivers avoid pinch points for long or tall vehicles.
Design and Build
As before, there's a choice of two body shapes, the standard SUV version and the sleeker-looking GLE Coupe. The most recent visual update back in 2023 saw the front grille gain extra chrome, while the front bumper was re-shaped, the running light signature was changed on the LED headlamps and the rear LED tail lamps were restyled. Most GLEs are ordered with the 'AMG Line' exterior that most customers want, with its diamond-patterned front grille, deeper bumper and extended wheel arches.
Otherwise, things are much as they were when this fourth generation model was first launched in 2019, which means there's an upright grille and a purposefully-sculpted bonnet with two power domes. This GLE also cuts an athletic figure from the rear, something particularly emphasised by the powerful shoulder muscle line extending from the C-pillar to the rear lights.
Inside, it's much as it was back in 2019 too, though in recent times, Mercedes has redesigned steering wheel, which has touch controls that allow access to central screen functions. The brand has also added extra chrome to the air vents and made available various fresh colour and trim combinations.
Otherwise, the cabin's broadly untouched, with twin 12.3-inch TFT screens, one in the instrument binnacle and one in the centre of the dash that works with the 'MBUX' voice-activated multimedia system. There's plenty of space in the second row - plus if you avoid the PHEV version, you get a standard third seating row too. When you're not using it, there's 630-litres of luggage space in conventionally-engined models - or up to 2,055-litres if you can fold down all the seats. The PHEV version compromises again here - down to 490 and 1,915-litres. In conjunction with AIRMATIC air suspension, the vehicle's rear can be lowered by around 40 millimetres using a switch, for easier loading and unloading.
Market and Model
For the GLE SUV, pricing kicks off from around £75,000 and there are three trim levels - 'Urban Edition', 'AMG Line Premium' and 'AMG Line Premium Plus'. The various Mercedes-AMG models are positioned above that, priced from around £94,000 with a choice of 'Premium' and 'Night Edition Premium Plus' trim options. Across the range, you'll need around £3,000 more for the alternative Coupe body shape.
As you'd hope given this kind of spend, equipment levels are generous. Even base 'Urban Edition' trim gets you 'KEYLESS GO' keyless entry, MULTIBEAM LED Headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, an AMG Bodystyling kit and a 'Parking Package' with 360 camera. there's also AIRMATIC Air suspension with Adapative Damping, 21-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light alloy wheels and a powered tailgate.
Inside, even with 'Urban Edition' trim, you can expect to find the brand's pair of 'Widescreen cockpit' screens for infotainment and instrument dials, the centre display featuring MBUX Navigation with Augmented Reality, plus you get a 'Live Traffic' system and a premium Burmester Surround Sound audio set-up. There's also 'THERMATIC' Climate Control, along with ambient lighting, electric front seats with memory setting, electrically adjustable rear seats, a wireless charging mat, a Dashcam and 'Aluminium-look' illuminated running boards with rubber studs.
'AMG Line Premium'-spec adds multi-spoke 21-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, climatised front seats, the 'Air Balance' package that adds scents to the interior, temperature-controlled cup holders and the brand's 'Energizing Package', which gives you selectable sounds and colour themes in the cabin. Plus, (if you don't have a PHEV) there's a third boot-mounted seating row. For off road driving, there's also a 'transparent bonnet' function that allows you to see the rocky terrain more clearly on the centre display by showing a virtual view of the trail ahead. 'AMG Line Premium Plus'-spec adds 22-inch wheels, soft-close doors, Multicontour front seats that react to corners, surround lighting and extra camera safety features.
Cost of Ownership
Let's get to the efficiency figures. Starting with the three mild hybrids; 41.5mpg on the combined cycle and 199g/km of CO2 for the base 300 d diesel, 37.2mpg and 219g/km for the 450 d diesel and 37.2mpg and 242g/km for the 450 petrol. Obviously, you'll do much better with the PHEVs. The 350 de diesel amanges up to 470.8mpg and 21g/km, while the 400 e manages up to 353.1mpg and 24g/km.
In the Mercedes-AMG GLE range, the mild hybrid Mercedes-AMG 53 4MATIC+ manages 26.7mpg and 241g/km; the PHEV Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ manages 217.3mpg and 30g/km of CO2. And the top Mercedes-AMG 63 S 4MATIC+ manages just 22.2mpg and a smoky 288g/km of CO2.
What else? Well, we'll tell you that the comprehensive three year warranty is built upon by Mercedes' Mobilo scheme which delivers breakdown cover for up to thirty years, as long as you continue to have your car serviced at a Mercedes main dealer. And it's worth knowing that your maintenance outlay can be kept a little in check by going for the optional Service Care package that takes care of routine maintenance, spreading the cost of regular servicing, guaranteeing the price of parts and labour for up to four services and covering the cost of all recommended service items such as brake fluid, spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters and screen wash.
There's also an ASSYST dashboard service indicator that monitors engine use and tells you exactly when a garage visit is due. It's also worth mentioning that the 'Mercedes me' remote online services package that comes as part of the infotainment system includes remote self-diagnostic capability, enabling your GLE to monitor wear and tear items and alert your local dealer to let you know if something needs seeing to.