Pros

• The inside is calm and well-equipped.
• Different types of powertrains offer power and economy.
• Voice command gear that works well.
• Many features are available; some are common, and some are not.

Cons

• The buttons on the steering wheel might be hard to use.
• The options in the third row are limited.
• The price of choices goes up very quickly.

How does the GLE-Class move? We tested the GLE 450e’s plug-in hybrid engine. In general, it’s straightforward to drive. When the battery is fully charged, the SUV runs on electricity alone until it needs to use its engine, which starts up quickly. Our test car went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds on the Invoice Pricing test track.

It feels like the driving is very light. That works for going around parking lots, but there are better ways to get used to the road. During turns, our GLE 450e didn’t feel as stable and planted as other GLE models we’ve tried. This is likely because the vehicle’s plug-in hybrid components added more weight. Overall, the GLE is better at driving on both the highway and in cities.

How is the GLE-Class’s comfort? One big selling point for the Mercedes GLE is how comfortable the inside is. Our test car had a lot of options, such as massage, airflow, and quick seat heating. These improvements, along with the better climate control system, make the ride very comfortable. The natural wood trim and available brown leather look nice, but we like the look of Mercedes’ MB-Tex synthetic leather better.

Also, you should not use the changeable air suspension. It was too floaty for everyday use when we tried it on GLE models earlier. The GLE’s original suspension is good enough for a smooth ride while letting you handle the car.

How is the inside? This is how the inside of a high-end SUV should look. It is made of high-quality materials and has a beautiful pattern inside the GLE. The GLE’s trunk is pretty big. The two rows are big. Even with these 21-inch wheels, the GLE sits high, so people who aren’t tall might want to ask for running boards. You can easily change the driver’s seat to get the best viewing angle, and the view from that seat looks good.

The GLE’s touchpad device is simple to use. It has helpful haptic input and valuable functions like skipping tracks or presets, going home, and going back right on the pad. That said, it is way too easy to hit the touchpads on the steering wheel and enter the wrong information.

How is the technology? The screen on the GLE is bright, has a high definition, and responds quickly. If you go too deep into the options, they can be hard to use, even though the most essential features are just a few buttons away. The augmented reality feature of the navigation system is excellent. It adds turn-by-turn directions on top of a live camera picture on the screen. With the surround-sound choice for the Burmester audio system, which is optional, the driver is completely enveloped in high-fidelity bliss. It would be more realistic if you turned up all the songs. Too bad the highest level isn’t higher.

Both Cadillac and BMW offer hands-free driving help, but they are different. Still, the GLE needs to get this feature. Other driver assistance features, like adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, work well and are hard to notice while driving.

How is the storage situation right now? In some plug-in hybrids, storing space is lost because the battery pack takes up too much room in the trunk. The GLE 450e doesn’t have that problem. This Mercedes is still fantastic despite having less room than its gasoline-only sibling. In addition, it works better than most of its rivals. The packing is even better when considering how big the battery pack is. For longer items, a 60/40 split in the second row is beneficial. It’s big enough to fit all of your small things.

Do you have little kids? If you have a prominent child safety seat, it will fit easily in the back seat, which has handy car seat anchors. The GLE is also a great choice to pull a trailer. When correctly done, its 7,700-pound towing capacity can check most small and medium-sized trailers.

How well does the fuel work? The gas mileage will be very different based on which model you pick. Our test car was the GLE 450e, the cheapest of the bunch. The plug-in hybrid let us drive for about 59 kilometers on a single charge before it moved to regular hybrid mode. It’s better than most for a plug-in SUV. Our GLE got 28 mpg in the mixed drive after the battery died, which is still pretty good. DC fast charge is also available on the GLE 450e, which gives it an edge over plug-in hybrids.

Is the GLE-Class worth the cost? The GLE might be pricey when all the extras are added, but we think you’re getting a good deal. The quality of the build on our test GLE is excellent. The GLE’s only flaw is that its guarantee only covers some things. The powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties are standard at four years or 50,000 miles. However, almost all competitors offer better corrosion protection and roadside help coverage.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE is the best luxury SUV for living in when it comes to trim levels that aren’t AMG. They might not have the flashiest looks or the strangest personalities, but they meet all the other requirements.

Due to the wide range of models and powertrain choices, it is hard to make a suggestion that will work for everyone in this lineup. On the other hand, we suggest the GLE 450e for most customers. You can get more speed and enough all-electric range in the plug-in hybrid for the same price as the regular GLE 450. You can go most days without using any gas at all.

Models of Mercedes-Benz Class GLE

It will come in six trim levels in 2024: the GLE 350, the GLE 450, the GLE 450e, the GLE 580, the AMG GLE 53, and the AMG GLE 63 S. Only the GLE 450e has a plug-in hybrid engine, but all the other trims come with all-wheel drive and a mild hybrid setup as standard. Standard seating for five people is also available, and all trim levels (except the GLE 450e and AMG models) offer the choice of a third row, which can fit up to seven people. Invoice Pricing goes into a lot of detail about the related GLE Coupe.