2024 (73) Mercedes-Benz GLE GLE 400e 4Matic AMG Line Premium + 5dr 9G-Tronic

The Mercedes GLE is a large luxury SUV that's now gained a more dynamic look and a more sophisticated feel. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

The Mercedes GLE is now a much stronger contender in the large model part of the luxury SUV segment thanks to more efficient engines and an almost completely new front-of-cabin design. Plus there are smarter looks for both the SUV and SUV Coupe body styles. The suspension can be more sophisticated too and there are greater levels of safety and media connectivity. As before, the GLE can in some forms seat up to seven. Rivals like BMW's X5 and Porsche's Cayenne must now take this car very seriously indeed.

Background

With all the EVs it's launching, Mercedes needs to make its combustion model life cycles last longer. And here's a case in point, its W167-era GLE large SUV, updated in Spring 2026 to create the car we're going to look at here, offered as before in both SUV and SUV Coupe forms. This model line's lineage dates back to 1997 and what Mercedes then called the M-Class, first launched as a W163-era design, then updated to the W164 model of 2005. Key changes came with the third generation W166-era model launched in 2011, which in 2015 got a change of name - from M-Class to GLE. At the same time, an alternative SUV body shape, the GLE Coupe, was introduced to sell alongside the standard SUV version. Those two body styles continued into this model line's W167-era fourth generation launched for the 2019 model year, with a light update along the way in 2023. This is the design which still continues today, albeit in this heavily updated form. Mercedes says that the updates made here are almost as extensive as would be required for a completely new generation design. As previously, this contender sits at the heart of the large model section of the luxury SUV segment, just above the brand's more compact GLC. And just below the much larger 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. As before, this GLE has the three-row seating of the first group - and aims for the handling agility of the second. That's as before. But let's take a closer look at what's changed here.

Engines and Tech Spec

There are no four cylinder GLE models any more (not for the UK anyway) - and you can't now have a diesel Plug-in Hybrid either. But core sales will still be of models that drink from the black pump, both in-line six cylinder 3.0-litre diesel units with 48V mild hybrid tech featuring an integrated starter generator. The base 350 d has 278hp, while the 450 d manages 367hp. Mercedes says both units have been made quieter and more efficient - and of course 4MATIC AWD and 9G-TRONIC 9-speed auto transmission continue to feature. As an alternative to a GLE diesel, there's now just a single petrol-powered Plug-in Hybrid, the six cylinder GLE 450 e. The main drive engine as part of this package is now the brand's updated M256 Evo' 3.0-litre turbo petrol straight six unit, which has gained a new cylinder head, larger intakes and new exhaust ports. A little surprisingly though, the PHEV system's 31.2kWh battery is basically the same, so the EV range figure isn't much different, rated at up to 65 miles. Total 450 e engine output is 443hp, which combines with a rear-mounted 178hp electric motor (47hp more powerful than the one in the previous model) for a total potent 569hp output, with 0-62mph achievable in just 4.5s. That's a big jump in output from the previous four cylinder GLE 400 e PHEV. If you want to go faster in a GLE, then as before, you'll need to stretch to the high performance Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, which has AMG-tuned adaptive suspension. As before, this can be had in a choice of two six cylinder petrol forms. Either as a MHEV mild hybrid, with 449hp (plus a further 23hp from the EV motor); or in PHEV 'HYBRID' form, with 449hp available (plus 184hp from the EV motor). With the 'HYBRID', that means a total output of 585hp with 750Nm of torque. Mild hybrid petrol tech is also used for the top 4.0-litre V8 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ flagship model. As with the previous version of this car, Mercedes offers a clever optional 48V E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL system which combines with the optional AIRMATIC air suspension. With this, the spring and damping forces can be individually controlled at each wheel. This means that the system not only counteracts body roll, but also pitching and squat. Improvements made as part of this update see this set-up (via an online connection) able to store the location of big bumps and potholes - either ones you've encountered or surfaces encountered by other Mercedes models equipped with the system. The result it that if you then come across the bit of road in question, the E-ACTIVE system will prepare the suspension for that bump: clever.

Design and Build

This isn't an all-new GLE but you might think it was from a casual glance. With both the SUV and the alternative SUV Coupe, the fundamental look hasn't changed but the front and rear lighting elements are now very different. The nose features larger LED headlights with twin three-star illuminating motifs and enhanced Digital Light functionality. Plus the grille has been enlarged, sits within a black frame and (to suit the current trend) is now illuminated. At the rear, the tail lamps now sit in a black band that incorporates the brand logo and stretches across the tailgate. The big changes though, lie inside. There's not quite as much screen tech as you'll find in the latest GLC Electric, but displays still stretch right across the stitched fascia, which now features three combined 'Supercreen' displays mounted inside a single panel on the dash top. These comprise of a 14.4-inch central infotainment monitor flanked by a 12.3-inch instrument display (now running the brand's latest MB.OS software) and a further passenger-side screen that's also 12.3-inches in size. New illuminated air vents sit at either end of the dash and the redesigned steering wheel (borrowed from the GLC Electric) swaps the earlier version's fiddly haptic switches for roller buttons. The 3D 'Comfort' seats have been redesigned and there's a selection of higher quality finishes used, particularly if you pay extra for options available via the brand's 'Manufaktur' personalisation programme. In the second row, things are as spacious as before but it now feels airier because of the bigger standard panoramic glass roof. As before, the seat base can slide over a range of 100mm for extra knee space and the backrest can be adjusted for rake (by up to 18-degrees); now though, you can specify your GLE with second row seats that do this electrically. Some earlier versions of this W167-era GLE design could be had with a third seating row (though not the entry-level diesel or the Plug-in Hybrids) and that rearmost bench is still available on GLEs you can't plug in. As before though, the third row pews are strictly for kids; if you need to use them regularly in this kind of SUV, a more purpose-design large SUV in this class like a Volvo XC90 or an Audi Q7 would suit you better. As with those cars, there's very little luggage space indeed with the third row erected. Ah yes, cargo capacity; what about that? Well a five-seat conventionally-powered GLE SUV offers up to 630-litres of luggage space behind its rear seats - or up to 825-litres if you slide the second row bench right forward. You'll lose 140-litres of that space if you choose the Plug-in Hybrid version. With the seats folded in the SUV, the capacity total is 2,055-litres (or 1,915-litres in the PHEV version). Choose the GLE Coupe and the base luggage capacity figure is actually slightly better - 655-litres (with a 145-litre reduction for the Plug-in Hybrid version). Obviously the seats-folded capacity in this sleeker version isn't quite as good though, rated at 1,790-litres in a standard GLE Coupe (or 1,645-litres in the PHEV version). On all GLE models 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

Prices haven't changed much, so you can expect a GLE SUV to start from around £80,000. You'll need from around £85,000 for the GLE Coupe. If you're interested in the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, then budget from around £95,000 upwards for the SUV or from around £104,000 for the Coupe. Expect the core of the line-up to be based around the usual 'AMG Line' trim levels. And of course all the usual executive equipment niceties will feature. A key option is the new 15-speaker 710-watt Burmester 3D surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos. At least you get more standard kit as part of this update. The MBUX central screen's Virtual Assistant now functions as a 'living avatar'. And all models now come with a larger standard panoramic glass roof. Plus the advanced 'DIGITAL LIGHT' headlamps now use micro-LED pixelated technology; the 'MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST 360' surround view camera system's been improved; and 'MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST' detects parking spaces on either side of the vehicle at an earlier stage and can now assist with leaving a parking space. In addition, there's a 'Digital Extra' 'reversing function' that enables the car to automatically reverse along part of the route it has just driven to get into the space in question. The safety systems as part of this update have been substantially upgraded thanks to the addition of a new, water-cooled supercomputer processor, which has extensive power reserves for future driving assistance functions. Each GLE model is equipped with a variety of sensors: ten exterior cameras and up to five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors. These sensors work together with a powerful control unit running the brand's MB.OS system. Artificial intelligence processes the sensor data to assess the traffic situation in the surrounding area. The company's 'MB.DRIVE Standard' set-up is standard equipment with functions such as DISTRONIC distance control. 

Cost of Ownership

Let's get to the figures. For the 350d and 450d diesels, you're looking at up to 31.8mpg on the combined cycle and up to 195g/km of CO2. For the petrol 450 e Plug-in Hybrid, the figures are up to 73.5mpg and up to 72g/km of CO2. With the 450 e, AC charging is supported by an 11kW onboard charger as standard. In addition, a 60kW DC fast charger for direct current is optionally available. This allows the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in around 20 minutes. All the petrol and diesel engines have an integrated starter generator and the mild hybrid system includes a 48-volt electrical set-up, which enables functions such as coasting, boost, and recuperation, resulting in useful fuel savings. What else? Well, we'll tell you that the 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.

Summary

So, how to sum up this improved GLE? First, here's what it won't do: stride across the Gobi desert quite like any Land Rover product. Or power round Brands Hatch quite like a more sporting BMW X5. But for us, that's not a problem: this car, after all, intentionally sets out to offer more of a middle ground between these two extremes and it's a place in which this rejuvenated version of the W167-era GLE seems far more comfortable than the earlier version was. It's true that there are still sportier, more dynamic models of this kind you could buy. But we're struggling to think of many that offer a better all-round package. Quick, capable, practical and luxurious, this is at last the car Mercedes always should have had in this segment.