A FEELING OF GLE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_mercedesgle_2019

By Jonathan Crouch

This updated version of the W166-era Mercedes GLE is a large luxury SUV that now offers more efficient and powerful engines. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 72

In this updated form, the second generation Mercedes GLE is now a stronger contender in the large part of the luxury SUV segment thanks to more efficient engines. Infotainment and off-road tech has been improved in recent times and, as before, key attrributes include cabin space, a huge boot and the option of sophisticated air suspension. Rivals like BMW's X5 and Porsche's Cayenne must continue to take this car very seriously indeed.

Backgroundword count: 219

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 Experienceword count: 420

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.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227