Among luxury automotive brands, you will find specialists in sports cars, another in sport sedans, while another focuses on electric cars or SUVs. And then you have Mercedes-Benz, which simply executes excellence in all of these segments plus a few others.
A case in point is the new Mercedes-Benz GLE. This is a mid-size SUV that fills the needs of families of all varieties with comfortable seating for five and the availability of seating for two more if needed. It has the cargo capacity to keep the household running and allow all five passengers to take plenty with them on a trip. The GLE does this all with the class and elegance indicative of the brand. How it competes is summed up by Edmund’s verdict in their GLE review: “The Mercedes GLE is one of the best luxury SUVs on sale today. It brings the heat with a top-notch interior, exceptional build quality, helpful technology features, and a diverse lineup of engines. This is a luxury SUV that quietly executes its job with ease.” With that summation in mind, here are some of the top reasons to purchase a Mercedes-Benz GLE.
Wide Range of Powertrains
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Whether you need a comfortable commuter, upscale grocery-getter, or a thrilling sports car that just happens to carry four other people and their baggage, the GLE model line has you covered. The line starts with the GLE 350 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with mild hybrid drive. It has an EPA city / highway / combined estimate of 21/ 28 / 24 while still producing a substantial 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.
A step up is the GLE 450 with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that produces 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. If you want a V8 in your Benz, the GLE has you more than covered with a 510 horsepower 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 that produces 538 lb-ft of torque at a low 2,000 rpm and can sprint from 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. All GLE models have standard 4Motion AWD. They are also mild hybrids which feature the Integrated Starter Generator that combines both the starter and generator in one unit which can both start the car and provide an extra electric boost when needed.
Then there are the mighty AMG models in which the GLE 53 produces 429 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque and the GLE 63 S which tops things off with no less than 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque and is good for a 0-60 time of just 3.7 seconds. Both models feature many high-performance components that have given AMG products their excellent reputation. You can be assured the GLE AMG models are completely well-rounded and balanced in their performance.
GLE 450e Plug-in Hybrid
The newly added 450e plug-in hybrid gets a special mention because it stands out in its uniqueness in the segment and the brilliance of its concept. That concept is elegant yet simple: Electric drive for short trips, gas drivetrain for long trips. The 23.3 kWh battery is larger than most PHEVs and gives the GLE 450e an estimated EV range of 48 miles, which is more than enough for most commutes and daily uses. This means that the GLE 450e can charge from home and cover most day-to-day driving as an emission-free EV. Charging can be as easy as approximately 11 hours on a normal household socket or 2.75 hours on a typical Level 2 home charger. The GLE is unusual among PHEVS in that it also can take a DC-direct charge, which will go from 10 - 80% charge in just 20 minutes. For longer trips, after the EV range has expired, the 450E runs like a normal hybrid with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 which is good for a combined 381 combined horsepower. The 450e truly gives you the best of both worlds.
Superb Interior
This is something you expect for a Mercedes-Benz, yet the GLE truly punches above its weight. It starts with a new steering wheel with sensor surfaces on the horizontal spokes. The interior is also elevated by the black finish with horizontal chrome inlays and chrome finish of the center and side air vents – previously exclusive to the Mercedes-Maybach GLS. The model’s ambient lighting features the same selection of color palettes as in the S-Class. The available 13-speaker, 9-channel, 590-watt Burmester® surround sound system has the Dolby Atmos® immersive surround sound that simply has to be experienced It is augmented by the "Online Music" service, in which Mercedes-Benz has comprehensively integrated many music streaming providers into the MBUX infotainment system.
Useful Technology
Voice command systems in cars have had a spotty past but the Mercedes MBUX system truly makes the system not only useful but enjoyable. It starts with unusual informality by you saying “Hey Mercedes!”. Most subsequent commands can be used in conversationally spoken language such as "Find me a gas station near me" or "De-mist the front window". Its artificial intelligence system learns from you so the more you use it, the better it responds to you.
Another technology feature you will appreciate is the in-car navigation system which has an augmented reality feature that overlays turn-by-turn integration atop a live camera view on the screen. It allows even complicated intersections or turning circles to be executed with ease.
Utility
It’s an SUV’s middle name and Mercedes-Benz takes it seriously. Rear passengers have 40.9 inches of rear legroom and 58.3 inches of shoulder room so having full-size adults on a cross-country trip is no burden for anyone. There is plentiful storage for small items and behind the rear seats is 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space which should be enough for everyone’s luggage on a road trip. For full cargo duty, the seats fold for 74.9 cubic feet of space, all easily accessed by the standard hands-free power liftgate. The GLE can also be configured for up to 7,700 pounds of towing capacity; more than most models in the segment.
These are just five reasons to choose a GLE but there are many more. Safety is a given in a Mercedes-Benz so it is no surprise that the GLE is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and while the 2024 model has not been fully tested yet, the 2023 model had an Overall 5-Star rating from the NHTSA. Quality is another expectation for the brand and Edmund’s review confirms the GLE’s build quality as “excellent” in one place and “Exceptional” in another. They specifically cite it as among the reasons that you get your money’s worth in the GLE.
If you are considering a luxury SUV of this size, the GLE model line is simply a must to research and investigate. There is no better place to do that than Mercedes-Benz of Plano where our large selection and professional staff will make your journey to car ownership an entirely enjoyable experience.
*Burmester is a registered trademark of Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH, Berlin, Germany.
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