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2025 Subaru Impreza Review2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE Review
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE comes with lots of updates and a PHEV powertrain. We look at intertior, trim levels and more in this review.
What’s New for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE?
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE enters the market with a new face, new wheels, and an available plug-in hybrid powertrain. It takes up the battle against other large luxury SUVs in the marketplace and does so with no less than six trim levels that all have their own engine configuration. It also comes standard with one of the deepest infotainment systems in the business.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE – netcarshow.com | Shop 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE on Carsforsale.com
Carsforsale.com Score
9/10
Powertrain
Score
9.25/10
Interior
Score
9/10/10
Technology
Score
9.25/10
Value
Score
8.5/10
The Breakdown
Great engines
Top-notch materials
Intuitive infotainment
Tight third row
Pricey options
Bland personality
An good entry in the GLE family
2024 GLE Specs
- 255 horsepower from base engine
- 295 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 33.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 74.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats folded
- Towing capacity of 7,700 lbs
- Clever voice recognition system
- Standard emergency braking
- Four-year limited warranty
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE Powertrain 9.25/10
Selecting a powertrain from the GLE family is the foundation for how the vehicle will perform and Mercedes offers a different engine on all six of its trim levels.
Kicking things off is a 2.0-liter turbocharged and mild-hybrid unit that makes 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It’s the same one from other Mercedes models including the C-Class. In that smaller sedan, it’s actually quite fun but we’re betting that in the GLE it feels a tad underpowered. In rear-wheel drive guise, it gets up to 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway according to the EPA.
Above that is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque in the GLE450. It sees fuel economy drop to 19 and 26 respectively. The GLE450e, the only plug-in hybrid in the family, leverages the 2.0-liter engine as its basis but thanks to electrification makes 381 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes has yet to release information about just how far it’ll go on electric power alone but we’re guessing somewhere just shy of 40 miles.
The GLE580 uses a twin-turbocharged V8 and makes 510 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. Then there are two AMG trim levels, the GLE53 that uses the 3.0-liter engine again but makes 429 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. Sure, that’s less than the GLE580 but it’s also likely to come with better brakes and a stiffer suspension.
Finally, the GLE63S uses a version of that V8 engine that makes just over 600 hp. It’s a monster and won’t be around forever either so get it while you can. All GLE models use the same nine-speed automatic gearbox. When properly equipped, this SUV can pull up to 7,700 pounds.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE Interior 9/10
There’s a regal elegance about the way Mercedes-Benz has designed the inside of the 2024 GLE-Class. It’s almost a bit too boring but in the same way that a wildly snooty lawyer’s office might be. The dash, center console, and seats are as straight-laced as they come with clean lines, high-quality materials, and a distinct lack of frills. That’s okay though because real aluminum and wood trim really jazz up the cabin in a way that frills fall short.
The seats are supportive and spacious and highly adjustable with clear controls laid out on the door cards just as they are in many MB models. The steering wheel offers a plethora of controls itself though we wish they were physical buttons instead of touch-sensitive ones.
The second row isn’t as adjustable but it’s nearly as comfortable and features a better view of the panoramic sunroof. It was the supreme comfort of the GLE that helped it edge out an Audi Q8 in a previous comparison review we did.
A third row is optional but very snug for anyone other than kids. Those who don’t opt for the third row get 33.3 cubic feet of storage space to work with behind the second row. Fold down that 40/20/40 split second row and cargo volume expands to a massive 74.9 cubic feet.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE Technology Features 9.25/10
Refined might be the best single word to describe the technology in the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Sitting in the driver’s seat provides a clear view of two 12.3-inch screens that serve as the infotainment system and the gauge cluster. Both are equally bright, easy to navigate, and highly configurable.
The native user interface, dubbed MBUX is reasonably intuitive and also includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. Voice control is possible too and for the most part very accurate. It’s even capable of changing small things like the seat ventilation, or the cabin temperature through natural commands like “I’m cold.”
Mercedes includes a number of very refined driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking on every GLE. Other features like adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and more are available for extra cash and while they’re very good at what they do we’d love to see Mercedes provide them as standard features for the safety of all of its customers. As of this writing, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has released safety data surrounding the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE Trims & Pricing
As is the case with most Mercedes-Benz models, each trim level shares nearly identical content to which the buyer can add packages and stand-alone options. The major difference between trim levels is the drivetrain.
GLE350 – $63,800
The base GLE comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It also gets 19-inch wheels, heated power-adjustable front seats, MB-Tex upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, a 40/20/40 split-folding second-row seat, a retractable luggage cover, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a garage door opener, and a powered liftgate.
GLE450 – $70,650
The GLE450 steps up to a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine with 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
GLE450e – $70,650
The hybrid GLE goes back to the 2.0-liter engine but thanks to electrification it makes 381 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.
GLE580 – $87,850
The GLE580 gets a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and 510 hp along with 538 lb-ft of torque.
AMG GLE 53 – $85,000 (est)
Mercedes hasn’t said how much the AMG GLE twins will be but we do know that the 53 version gets a hybridized inline-six engine with 429 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.
AMG GLE 63s – $119,000 (est)
The 63 used an electrified twin-turbocharged V8 that’ll help it develop 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. We’ll just have to wait for their full release later this year for further details.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE Overall Value 8.5/10
The Mercedes-Benz GLE value really comes down to which trim one selects and what new car incentives are available at the time of purchase. Don’t get us wrong, it’s a great vehicle but for the cash, there are a lot of rivals worth considering.
If you want this level of luxury and nothing more, something from Genesis can provide it along with far better warranty coverage. If you want speed and performance, the AMG models aren’t as sharp as rivals from Porsche and BMW. Those who want to go off-road should look at Jeep and the Grand Cherokee.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 9/10
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE – netcarshow.com | Shop 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE on Carsforsale.com
Generally speaking, the GLE-Class is a highly-regarded SUV for good reason. It’s well-rounded and classy. It feels nice to drive and to spend time in. It has a lot of technology that’s both engaging and easy to use.
Nevertheless, it would benefit in its fight against rivals by having better warranty coverage and more standard driver safety aids. It sits clearly ahead of the middle of the pack but still a bit behind class leaders like the Porsche Cayenne and Genesis GV80.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE FAQ
Is the GLE-Class a Hybrid?
Yes and no. Every GLE-Class features mild-hybrid technology though only one, the GLE450e has a traditional hybrid power plant with plug-in hybrid features.
How Much Does a GLE 350 Cost?
The base MSRP for the GLE350 is $63,800.
What Does GLE Stand for?
GLE doesn’t actually stand for anything specific. GL is the nomenclature Mercedes uses for most of its SUV lineup and E stands in as a way to mark it as the mid-tier SUV. Think of it as the E-Class SUV of the family because that’s exactly what it is.
