The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is a continuation of the M-Class with a different name, starting with the third generation facelift in 2015. The idea was to rebrand and streamline many of the Mercedes models, including the SUV range. The revised nomenclature resulted in classes such as GLC, GLE, and GLS, to facilitate association with the well-established car classes and their status. The new naming system would make the GLE-Class an E-Class equivalent in SUV form, placing it in the mid-size luxury crossover range.
Third Generation Facelift (2015-2019)
The change to the GLS-Class brought with it a new five-door coupé variant, revealed at the North American International Show in 2015. The standard SUV received a revised front bumper, taillights and new alloy wheel designs. The interior received an upgraded infotainment system and steering wheel. The coupé version was made more distinguishable from the standard M or GLE by its upswept profile, which was done at the expense of rear headroom and boot capacity.
Basic trim equipment includes 3x3 point rear seatbelts, ABS, alarm, alloy wheels, audio remote, body-coloured bumpers, CD, climate control, cruise control, driver's airbag, electric driver's seat, electric mirrors, electric passenger's seat, folding rear seats, front electric windows, front fog lights, heated mirrors, Isofix child seat anchor points, PAS, passenger's airbag, remote locking, roof rails, service indicator, side airbags, space saver spare wheel, steering wheel rake adjustment, steering wheel reach adjustment, and traction control.
- SE trim level includes a space-saver spare wheel, sports seats, and steering wheel rake/reach adjustment.
- SE Executive trim level includes DVD, headlight washers, heated seats, and parking sensors.
- Special Edition trim level includes a space-saver spare wheel, sports seats, steering wheel rake/reach adjustment.
- Sport trim level includes front fog lights, parking sensors, partial leather seat trim, space-saver spare wheel, sports seats, and steering wheel rake/reach adjustment.
- AMG Line trim level comes with DVD, headlight washers, heated seats, parking sensors, partial leather seat trim, and sports seats.
- AMG Sport trim level includes parking sensors, partial leather seat trim, space-saver spare wheel, sports seats, and steering wheel rake/reach adjustment.
Euro NCAP gave it a 5-star rating, with an adult occupant safety rating of 96%, a pedestrian safety rating of 60%, a child occupant safety rating of 75%, and a safety assist rating of 86%. IIHS gave it a ‘Good’ scoring on the moderate overlap frontal-offset, small overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, and roof strength.
New engine options include a commercially available 3.0L hybrid engine with a combined power output of 325 kW. AMG variants have tuned to produce even more power and paired with 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission, which was paired with some of the standard engines as well.
- GLE400 3.0L V6 petrol engine producing 245kW (328hp) at 5250-6000rpm and 480Nm of torque at 1600-4000rpm paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
- GLE450 AMG 3.0L V6 petrol engine producing 270kW (362hp) at 5500-6000rpm and 520Nm of torque at 2000-4000rpm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission
- GLE250d 2.1L I4 turbocharged diesel engine producing 150kW (201hp) at 3800rpm and 480Nm of torque at 1600-1800rpm paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission
- GLE350d 3.0L V6 turbocharged diesel engine producing 190kW (254hp) at 3400rpm and 620Nm of torque at 1600-2400rpm paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission
- GLE500e 3.0L V6 hybrid petrol engine producing a combined power output of 325kW (436hp) and combined torque of 650Nm, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 245km/h paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission
Fourth Generation (2019-present)
Mercedes-Benz introduced the fourth-generation GLE-Class at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. New styling choices led to improved aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.29.
The new GLE-Class is packed with features suitable to a modern luxury SUV. Standard and optional equipment vary on the engine and include:
Doors & Windows:
Rear defrost, privacy glass, power windows
Exterior Features:
Dual moonroof, panoramic roof, running boards (optional), rear spoiler, different tyre options, compact spare tyre, aluminium wheels, tyre pressure monitoring system, towing trailer hitch receiver
Interior Features:
Adaptive cruise control, adjustable steering wheel, alarm, automatic parking, auto-off headlights, back-up camera, cruise control, anti-theft system, interior cargo shade, keyless start, power liftgate, seat-massage, remote engine start, leather steering wheel, heated steering wheel, trip computer, rain-sensing wipers, heated mirrors, power mirrors, power steering
Entertainment:
Auxiliary audio input, CD/MP3 player, HD/satellite radio, premium sound system, HDD, SDI, climate control, dual-zone A/C, a navigation system, hands-free communications system
Powertrain options currently available include three petrol and two diesel variants paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, as well as two AMG variants, paired with a 7-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission. All versions come with a 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system and turbochargers.
Engine specifications:
- GLE350 4MATIC 2.0L inline-four turbocharged petrol engine producing 190kW (255hp) and 370Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.6 seconds and a top speed of 228km/h
- GLE450 4MATIC 3.0L inline-six turbo + EQ Boost petrol engine producing 270kW (362hp) and 500Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h
- GLE53 AMG 4MATIC+ 3.0L inline-six turbo + EQ Boost petrol engine producing 320kW (429hp) and 520Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h
- GLE AMG 4MATIC+ 5.5L V8 twin-turbo petrol engine producing 410kW (550hp) at 5750rpm and 516Nm of torque at 1750rpm
- GLE580 4MATIC 4.0L V8 BiTurbo + EQ Boost petrol engine producing 360kW (483hp) and 700Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h
- GLE300d 4MATIC 2.0L inline-four turbocharged diesel engine producing 180kW (241hp) and 500Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 225km/h
- GLE350d 4MATIC 2.9L inline-six turbocharged diesel engine producing 200kW (268hp) and 600Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 230km/h
- GLE350d 4MATIC 2.9L inline-six turbocharged diesel engine producing 243kW (326hp) and 700Nm of torque, 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 240km/h
Author: Luka Kusic