2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Road Test and Review

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV represents an all-new generation of luxury mid-size SUV/crossover to wear the famous three-pointed star badge. The outgoing GLE was an updated M-Class with a different name, but this fresh model has no trace of its predecessor. In several ways, it’s writing the next chapter of the evolution of this vehicle class.

As before, Mercedes-Benz will also offer a “4-door coupe” variant of the GLE with a somewhat sportier driving experience, but this conventional version reaches the dealerships first, which will be spring 2019. Anyone eager to buy a high-performance AMG version will also have to wait. It’s the “bread and butter” models that go on sale before any others. Let’s get into the details.

Pricing

As of this writing, there was no official pricing for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV. These things are usually announced nearer to the on-sale date — spring 2019, in this case.

However, we can take the 2019 GLE-Class pricing and use it as a ballpark. The entry-level GLE 400 4Matic model starts at $56,695 (including $995 destination). The “4Matic” part of that name indicates that all-wheel drive is standard; the 2020 GLE 350 starts out with rear-wheel drive. But a jumping-off point somewhere in the high $50,000s to low $60,000s isn’t an unreasonable expectation. The 2019 BMW X5 (also a new generation) starts at around $62,000 with all-wheel drive and a six-cylinder engine.

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Equipment

It seems German companies have noted the common gripe that their vehicles’ standard equipment is too basic, obliging buyers to spend much more on options. The 2020 GLE 350 comes with some great features such as a double-wide display of two 12.3-inch high-resolution screens: one for driver information, the other for infotainment and various vehicle functions.

Blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking are also standard, along with LED exterior lighting, a navigation system, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The GLE even has its own voice-activated digital assistant (like Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa). Overall, the GLE feels and looks like a luxury suv right from the outset, and this allows the buyer greater freedom when hitting the options list.

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Options

For the first time in a Mercedes-Benz mid-size SUV/crossover, a third row of seating is offered. This is made possible by the new GLE being longer (with an increased wheelbase) and wider than the outgoing version. Naturally, all-wheel drive is available, along with bigger wheels and a panoramic moonroof.

Or there’s the choice of a more potent powertrain. This latter feature may be packaged with E-Active Body Control, essentially the next generation of adaptive air suspensions. The GLE will read the road ahead and automatically adjust its settings to suit. Augmented Reality is available for the navigation system. Gesture control is also on offer, plus extra driver aids such as Active Traffic Jam Assist.

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Technology

There’s a basic version of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience infotainment system — also known as MBUX — without gesture control. It’s activated by saying: “Hey, Mercedes” and then giving an order like “Find the nearest gas station.” There is, of course, the chance it may spring into action if conversation in the cabin mentions the word “Mercedes.” A quick “Cancel” shuts it down.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration come standard, plus five USB ports. However, these are all the newer and smaller USB-C ports. An adapter for devices with the current USB format is available. The new GLE also has Car-to-X communication as standard, a pre-emptive move anticipating the time when other vehicles and the surrounding infrastructure can all “talk” to each other.

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Comfort and Cargo

The GLE's front seats are well-padded and well-shaped. Optional “seat kinetics” enable small movements of the seat cushion and backrest to subtly change the occupant’s posture and help ward off fatigue. The second row is equally welcoming, with an impressive 41.1 inches of legroom and plenty of headroom. The outside rear seats can be power-adjusted to move forward or back independently of each other.

Our test drive didn’t include a GLE with third-row seating. But based on the luggage space in the two-row version, chances are it would be a kids-only arrangement. Speaking of which, cargo area behind the rear seats measures 22 cubic feet up to the tops of the backrests. Maximum space is 72.5 cubes.

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Engines, Transmission, and Fuel Economy

The 2020 GLE 350 employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine developing 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive (4Matic) is optional. The GLE 450 4Matic has all-wheel drive as standard, plus a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six generating 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A 48-volt electrical enhancement activates the fuel-saving stop/start feature, while also providing a temporary boost of 21 hp.

Both models use a nine-speed automatic transmission. There are no fuel consumption figures from the Environmental Protection Agency yet, but on a trip that’s mainly highway driving, expect something in the high 20s from the GLE 350 and a few mpg less with the GLE 450.

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Interior Design

Against the aluminum trim, the four rectangular air vents in the center console look quite industrial (many Mercedes-Benz vehicles have circular vents). The rest of the cabin is plush in a high-tech, chrome-rich kind of way, dominated by the double-display screen.

Optional LED ambient lighting bisects the dashboard and traces a classily bright, colored line (there’s a choice of hues) around parts of the cabin.

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Exterior Design

Slight differences in the GLE's grille treatments are model-specific. In general, the new GLE-Class manages to look smaller than it really is, thanks to smart proportions, subtle lines and short overhangs. The blacked-out pillars at the rear corners are a nice touch.

The 2020 GLE is handsome in a way that should appeal to many luxury buyers. Mercedes-Benz claims a class-leading drag coefficient (for superior aerodynamics) of 0.29.

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Performance

The GLE 350’s engine is adequate for the day-to-day duties, which is almost surprising. Someone who hasn’t driven this model might assume a 2.0-liter engine wouldn’t have the muscle to motivate a weighty luxury suv. But it makes a decent stab at acting like it belongs under such a prestigious hood.

The extra thrust from the GLE 450’s six-cylinder engine, however, makes road trips more interesting. Overtaking moves are executed cleanly, especially using that 21-hp electric boost. And when the drive mode is set to Sport, things liven up to an even greater degree.

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Ride and Handling

In standard form, the new GLE SUV puts most of its eggs in the basket marked “Comfort.” Even clicking the driving modes over to Sport doesn’t change things that noticeably. This is deliberate. Mercedes-Benz wants greater differentiation between this GLE SUV and the upcoming GLE Coupe. The ride always feels composed, though.

Those seeking a broader spectrum of suspension settings should check out the E-Active Body Control option. The available 48-volt electrical enhancement system also powers this feature. The GLE will remain perfectly flat (no body lean) when taking a quick corner. It can also raise the ride height for some mild off-road adventures and even “bounce” the GLE out of trouble if it becomes stuck in sand.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz