In many ways, the Mercedes GLE is the textbook definition of what a luxury SUV is. Combining the brand’s legendary German quality and comfort with a healthy dose of practicality, the model is a firm favourite among families and executives alike. Sandwiched between the compact GLC and flagship GLS in Mercedes’ model line-up, the GLE is available in a variety of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, as it looks to take on the likes of the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Range Rover Sport.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a large, comfortable SUV with strong practicality, towing ability and, on some versions, 7 seats. When buying used, check the service history carefully, as missed maintenance can become expensive. On a test drive, make sure the gearbox shifts smoothly, the engine responds cleanly, and there’s no smoke from the exhaust. Also check the air suspension, infotainment screens, warning lights and any knocks or squeaks from the suspension.
Reece Proctor is a Roadside Patrol at The AA, with practical experience in both workshop and roadside roles, and specialist expertise in hybrid and electric vehicles.
Read bioThe GLE is a capable premium SUV, but it’s heavy, complex and can be expensive to repair if neglected.
Common issues include:
• Air suspension faults, including uneven ride height or compressor issues
• Worn suspension bushes and joints on higher mileage cars
• Electrical faults linked to sensors, control modules or onboard systems
• Infotainment or centre screen issues, usually needing updates
• Diesel injector sealing washer leaks on higher mileage models
• Brake and tyre wear due to the car’s size and weight
• Occasional throttle response or gearbox hesitation issues
Air suspension is one of the main areas to check. The car should sit level and ride smoothly, with no warning messages. Diesel injector seal leaks should also be dealt with early, as carbon build-up can make repairs more difficult.
Mercedes-Benz GLE models usually follow Mercedes Service A and Service B schedules, with servicing around every 12 months or 10,000 miles, depending on the model and usage.
Key maintenance to keep on top of includes:
• Oil and filter changes
• Brake and tyre inspections
• Brake fluid replacement as part of scheduled servicing
• Cabin and air filter replacement
• Gearbox checks if shifts feel rough or delayed
• Suspension inspections, especially on cars with air suspension
• Injector seal checks on higher mileage diesel models
• Software updates for infotainment and driver assistance systems
Running costs are higher than average. Servicing, tyres, brakes, insurance and repairs can all cost more than on smaller SUVs, so buyers should budget carefully.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a strong all-rounder if you want a large premium SUV with comfort, space and useful technology. It suits family life well and feels refined on longer journeys.
Reliability is generally good when the car has been maintained properly, but neglected examples can become costly. After 5 to 7 years, expect more wear around suspension, tyres, brakes and electronics. A well-serviced GLE with smooth gearbox operation, working air suspension and no warning lights is the one to look for.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a really great example of why these big premium SUVs are so popular at the moment. It is spacious, refined, and loaded with technology. Regardless of whether you plump for a diesel, petrol, or plug-in hybrid version, the GLE manages to effortlessly deliver top-level performance and comfort. A wide selection of used examples on AA Cars also means it’s easier than ever to step into one of Mercedes’ most accomplished family SUVs.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioPrices for the GLE kick off at £79,305, with the top of the range AMG GLE 63 S costing as much as £148,350 depending on spec and optional extras. While those range-topping cars do offer a significantly higher level of technology and luxury, there is good value to be found lower down the range, with the entry-level GLE 300d offering more than enough equipment and power for most buyers.
Buyers looking to get the biggest bang for their buck may also be interested in turning to the used market, where four and five-year-old models can be picked up for below £30,000. The GLE was given a facelift in 2023 and cars from that period, and beyond, are currently listed from around the £50,000 mark.
While other carmakers continue to turn their backs on diesel power, Mercedes continues to embrace the powertrain when it comes to the GLE. The fuel type dominates much of the line up, with 2.0 and 3.0 litre options available across the range. Diesel units come paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, as well as Mercedes’ ‘4MATIC’ all-wheel-drive system as standard. Elsewhere, petrol units include a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is paired with mild-hybrid technology in the GLE 450.
The most efficient setup available to buyers can be found in the GLE 350de, which partners a 2.0-litre diesel engine with a 100 kW electric motor, giving an electric-only range of up to 66 miles and a theoretical fuel economy of over 300 mpg. Sportier, AMG Performance variants are given more powerful V8 units with the range-topping AMG GLE 63 S boasting a hand-built 4.0-litre twin-turbo, which produces 603 bhp and can propel the car from 0-62 in just 3.9 seconds.
When driving an SUV of this pricepoint, buyers expect a certain level of performance and refinement, which the GLE delivers in spades. While maybe not the quietest, the diesel models do enjoy strong pulling power – something which drivers of cars of this size often place huge value on. The diesel-powered cars perform best as long-range eaters of motorway miles, where their increased fuel economy helps them to stand out from the rest of the line-up.
However, there is a trade-off for this. Whereas petrol and hybrid models can run in near silence, it could certainly be argued that the diesel units are slightly more agricultural. The petrol models also enjoy better acceleration, which, teamed with the smooth nine-speed automatic gearbox, also make a compelling case to be considered the best in the range when it comes to long journeys.
Where there can be no doubt however, is in town, where the GLE’s hybrid powertrains come into their own. The models can have the bonus of being able to run consistently using electric-only power – a key consideration when driving in more polluted, built-up areas. Having said that, the size of the car can still provide some hairy moments when trying to negotiate inner-city traffic. Unsurprisingly, the sportiest drives are reserved for the AMG cars, where Mercedes’ in-house tuners have once again worked their magic. These versions enjoy sharpened suspension, sportier steering, and blistering performance.
Across the majority of the GLE range, Mercedes has decided to take a different approach to many of its rivals – notably the BMW X5 – by placing an emphasis on comfort over sporty handling. Most trim levels come with the brand’s AIRMATIC air suspension as standard and for a car of its size, the GLE positively glides as a result. No matter how uneven the surface, the car is more than a match – absorbing potholes and unexpected bumps without breaking sweat. The overall ride is seriously impressive and something that not many competitors can hold a candle to.
This is even more noticeable as you move up the range, with higher trim levels benefitting from Mercedes’ ‘E-Active Body Control system’, which uses cameras to scan upcoming road conditions. The car is then able to pre-adjust its suspension in order to deal with any bumps and dips ahead. The cutting edge tech can even counteract potential body roll, contributing to an incredibly composed ride in pretty much any conditions.
In cars of this size, cornering can often be a somewhat frightening experience but the GLE is able to handle winding roads with confidence. The steering feels both accurate and responsive and, thanks to its clever four-wheel drive system, the car feels well planted to the road. The benefit of the car’s size is clear to see from the driver’s seat, where the raised driving position gives outstanding visibility.
German cars have long had a reputation for outstanding build quality and the GLE is certainly no exception. In fact, it offers one of the most stylish and sophisticated interiors of any model in its class. Cars come with a choice of wood or aluminium internal trims and drivers can customise the mood inside the cabin using the car’s clever ambient lighting settings. However, while AMG-performance models are crammed full of soft leather furnishings, all other cars are given faux leather seats, which does slightly take away from the feeling of luxury.
Despite this small drawback, the rest of the interior is strong. There is plenty of space, regardless of whether you are sitting in the front or back, meaning that long journeys can be completed in absolute comfort by the whole family. Massage seats are available on higher trim levels, where other luxury touches include heated armrests, and premium Burmester surround sound. For larger families, there is also the option of adding a third row of seating, which takes the overall capacity to seven.
In models which do not utilise the extra row of seats, the GLE offers a perfectly acceptable 630 litres of boot space. While slightly less than the likes of the X5 and Range Rover Sport – both of which are closer to the 650 litre mark – the rear is still more than capable of dealing with most trips to the tips, weekly shops and airport runs. With the rear seats folded down, the GLE enjoys a flat, wide load area with an expanded 2,055 litres of space. One thing to be aware of if you are considering a plug-in hybrid model is that the car’s battery pack does cut boot space to 490 litres.
Inside the main cabin, storage remains generous, with Mercedes making sure the GLE is equipped with deep door bins, a large centre console and several cleverly-placed cupholders. Overall, the whole car feels like it has been incredibly well thought out – something which can be increased by choosing the optional hands-free boot opening.
Given the high entry price, Mercedes has gone out of its way to ensure that even the most basic GLE models have been given a good level of tech. All recent cars come with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, connectable through the vehicle’s Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system. Heated seats are also available on all models, as are dual-zone climate control and LED headlights. Moving up the range, a panoramic sunroof, heated cupholders and keyless entry are all available.
Some older cars, dating back to before 2019, can be found with 17-inch alloy wheels, with newer AMG and Coupe versions given much bulkier 22-inch options. Tech upgrades on the latest car include a pair of 12.3-inch digital screens and touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel.
The current GLE lineup includes AMG Line, AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus, AMG GLE 53, and AMG GLE 63 S trims. The mid-range AMG Line Premium Plus probably offers the best blend of performance and comfort without breaking the bank at the top end of the range. When it comes to colours, drivers can choose from Obsidian Black, Selenite Grey, Brilliant Blue Metallic and Diamond White.
When it comes to safety, the GLE ranks among the very best, having achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating. The judges were particularly impressed with the number of safety features which come as standard, including active brake assist, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, traffic sign recognition and driver fatigue monitoring.
Mercedes continues to enjoy a strong reputation for build quality and premium engineering, with GLE owners reporting strong reliability across all ages of car.
Mercedes says that its most economical plug-in hybrid versions of the GLE can achieve just above 40mpg – although this figure is limited to the 300d. Most other models in the range will achieve a real-world mpg of between 30 and 40, although some petrol variants do drop below 30 – and AMG even below 20 mpg. The brand also claims that the 350de plug-in hybrid can technically achieve up to 353 mpg, although this would require regular charging and mostly electric-only driving for short distances. Once the battery is depleted, real-world fuel consumption falls to around 35-40 mpg.
New models have an annual road tax of between £195 and £620, with the lowest Benefit-in-Kind rates found on plug-in hybrid versions. This makes them the most popular choice among company car users.
AA finance available
London
London
London
Connect with us
