Mercedes-Benz GLE (2015 – 2019) Review

The Mercedes GLE might have had a better start in life had it not launched right into the arrival of an all-new Volvo XC90. It also had the superb BMW X5 to contend with, plus the imminent introduction of the fifth-generation Land Rover Discovery. By any standards, that’s a tough crowd to live with, but the SUV has redeeming features in its smooth V6 diesel engine and decent off-road ability. Read on for our full Mercedes GLE review.

The Mercedes GLE replaced the Mercedes ML, with a heavily revised exterior, new engines and more safety kit as standard.

However, despite the new name, the Mercedes GLE was mechanically the same. That meant it suffered from the same problems as its predecessor, with poor value for money being its biggest pitfall.

All models get four-wheel drive as standard and the engine line-up includes the familiar 2.1-litre and 3.0-litre V6 diesels from the Mercedes ML line-up. However, used car buyers also have the choice of a petrol plug-in hybrid, which combines a 3.0-litre V6 with an electric motor to return 78g/km of CO2 and a claimed 76.4mpg. 

The 350d – powered by the excellent V6 diesel – is the best engine in the range, combining a hefty 258PS with good all-round refinement and quiet running at low speeds.

Not only is the power delivery seamlessly smooth, thanks to a nine-speed automatic transmission, but the V6 returns a nice rumble as you venture towards its maximum 620Nm of torque. Frugal drivers are also rewarded, with up to 44.1mpg and 169g/km of CO2 according to the claimed figures.

The plug-in hybrid improves economy and emissions further, offering an all-electric range of 18 miles. However, this 500e model is let down by a small boot, with its battery pack reducing storage from 690 litres to 480 litres. 

The interior is opulent though, with the dashboard dominated by a large infotainment screen atop a familiar Mercedes centre console. All models get deep, plush leather seats that are among the most comfortable around, while the infotainment system is easy to master, helped by a central touchpad.

The Mercedes GLE gets a decent level of equipment as standard and entry-level Sport models are fitted with heated front seats, a powered tailgate, rear privacy glass and a rear-view camera. The are also some useful safety systems, with a crosswind assist package and a warning collision warning system that will alert the driver if the car detects an oncoming object. 

Refined, comfortable and capable, the stylish Mercedes GLE added some much needed zest to the weary Mercedes ML formula, but some of the old faults remain, with an unsettled ride on rough roads and disappointing performance from the entry-level 2.1 diesel. 

The real problems start when you compare it with its rivals, though. Both the BMW X5 and Volvo XC90 are cheaper, more efficient and better value, which makes it difficult to justify the significant sum of money needed to obtain the Mercedes GLE’s star performer, the 350d.

Fancy a new Mercedes GLE? read our review here.

Although few will ever be taken off-road, the Mercedes GLE can be used as a full-fat 4x4 with the optional off-roading package. The system adds low-range gears, changeable ride heights and hill descent control, which will let the car plough through muddy fields and tackle steep inclines. 

On British roads, the Mercedes GLE works best with 19-inch wheels and adaptive air-suspension, although the ride is always on the firm side of comfortable. However, it corners better than the Mercedes ML ever did, with minimal body lean and an agile turn-in. 

The ride does have a tendency to become unsettled on harsh road surfaces, which means the car often bounces along.

For the most part, the Mercedes GLE hides its considerable weight well. It also manoeuvres impressively for such a large car and is nimble enough at low speeds, although its sheer size makes it a challenge to squeeze into multi-storey car parks or tight streets.

The Mercedes GLE is available with four engines, with the familiar 2.1-litre and 3.0-litre diesels offered alongside a petrol plug-in hybrid.

There’s also an AMG 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 for those who require their 2.3-tonne SUV to rocket from 0-62mph in four seconds. 

The 2.1-litre diesel is the entry-level powertrain and powers the 250d. The engine is effectively the same as the one found in the old Mercedes ML, albeit with some slight improvements in economy and emissions. The four-cylinder engine provides 204PS.

On paper, the 250d will be the default choice for many looking for conservative performance and low running costs. But the turbocharged 2.1-litre engine is difficult to recommend due to a loud clatter at idle, poor refinement and flat performance.

With 500Nm of torque from 1600rpm, the engine pushes along at lower speeds with the necessary zip, but it’s no match for the six-cylinder diesel found in the entry-level BMW X5 or the Volvo XC90 D5. 

The 3.0-litre V6 – found in the 350d – was carried over from the Mercedes ML, and is by far the best diesel in the range, with plenty of power and a smooth, refined nature. Indeed, with 258PS and 620Nm of torque, the V6 provides all the grunt you’ll ever need, with ample acceleration for overtaking and refined motorway cruising.

It’s also extremely relaxed in the lower gears, while economy is reasonable. Yet, again, the Volvo XC90 D5 and BMW X5 xDrive30d offer similar performance for less money. 

Both the 250d and 350d are linked to a nine-speed automatic gearbox that is a big step up over the old 7G-Tronic gearbox. The gearbox also reduces engine noise, with the Mercedes GLE sitting at 2000rpm on the motorway, which makes even the 250d quiet at cruising speeds. 

The 500e plug-in hybrid combines a turbocharged 333PS V6 petrol with a 116PS electric motor to provide 480PS and impressive acceleration, with 0-62mph taking just 5.3 seconds.

The 500e has an all-electric range of 18 miles, and works extremely well, proving silent in electric mode, with a smooth transition from battery to petrol power.  

Thrill seekers can spec up to that AMG 5.5-litre V8 bi-turbo petrol engine, with a supercar rivalling 585PS that will fire the big SUV all the way to an electronically limited 155mph. 

This generation of Mercedes GLE was not tested by Euro NCAP, but you are well looked after on the safety front. It comes with seven airbags as standard, a pop-up bonnet to protect pedestrians and automatic emergency braking.

You also get ESP traction and stability control, ABS anti-lock brakes, a reversing camera, Active Parking Assist and adaptive headlights. Upper trims levels gain a 360-degree parking camera.

There are Isofix child seat mounts in the two outer rear seats.

All Mercedes GLE models of this era can tow an unbraked trailer of up to 750kg.

With a braked trailer, the limit depends on the model you choose. A hybrid version is limited to 2000kg, while the V6 diesel can haul up to 3500kg. With the 250d diesel, you’re restricted to a still useful 2950kg maximum.

The Mercedes GLE is luxurious and vast, with deep leather seats and acres of headroom and legroom for those in the front and rear.

In fact, few other SUVs can match it for cabin comfort, which is high praise indeed. However, we still think the Volvo XC90 is better.

The front seats get plenty of adjustment and higher trim models have a plethora of options, which include leather sports seats, heating for the rear seats and multi-contour finishes with a massage setting.

The Mercedes GLE will easily take five adults and all of the seats are reinforced with a wide base, plenty of back support and cushioned headrests.

General visibility is good, with the large windscreen and side windows ensuring a wide view of the road. Parking sensors are standard, along with a rear view camera which makes it simple to reverse, without hitting a wayward kerb.

The dashboard can feel a little overwhelming, with dozens of buttons and switches, but it’s easy to acclimatise to the logical and well-presented layout. We do think Mercedes could have dispensed with half a dozen buttons without impacting the operations of the cabin, though.

The back seats are almost as spacious as those found in the front, with lots of legroom, shoulder room and headroom, which should make the Mercedes GLE a comfortable car to carry the family in.

The 690-litre boot is bigger than that found in the BMW X5, but smaller than the 775-litre capacity of the Volvo XC90. However, the Mercedes GLE beats both of them for outright space, with 2010 litres on offer. That said, folding the rear seats flat takes a bit of work, with the base needing to be moved. 

Hybrid models are hindered on luggage space, with the battery situated in the rear. As a result, boot capacity falls to a disappointing 480 litres, which makes it 100 litres smaller than a Skoda Octavia hatch.

Getting to the load area is easy, though, thanks to the powered tailgate that lifts by the press of a button or via a sensor beneath the boot.

By the time the Mercedes GLE arrived in 2015, the firm had put its troubles with build quality well and truly behind it.

Where the first Mercedes ML appeared to be made from soggy cardboard, the Mercedes GLE has a stout, solid feel about it.

Some of the buttons in the centre console still work with a slightly cheap tap rather than a satisfying click, but most of the controls and materials have a classy, upmarket aura to them.

The dashboard is dominated by an eight-inch colour infotainment screen, which is operated via a large dial in the centre console complete with a touchpad.

The screen is clear and the dial works well, but we found the touchpad to be awkward, with the pointer juddering each time you tried to lift your hand and place it back on the pad.

In comparison, the systems employed by Audi and BMW are better. 

Look for a nine-year-old Mercedes GLE with around 75,000 miles on the clock and you should expect to pay about £19,000.

For a car that’s three years younger and with 45,000 miles to its name, you’ll spend around the £26,000 mark, with the hybrid costing approximately £4000 more.

If you’re not bothered about the Mercedes GLE 43 AMG with its 372PS 3.0-litre turbo petrol motor, most of the range is comparable with key rivals.

Even the AMG claims 32.8mpg, although that’s more likely to be 24mpg in the real world.

The best of the lot is the 500e hybrid that claimed 76.4mpg officially, but that does require making the most of its electric driving range. A truer figure in regular use would be around 34mpg, according to our Real MPG data.

With the diesels, the 250d and 350d offer factory figures of 48mpg and 43mpg, which work out to 33mpg and 28mpg from our Real MPG information.

The hybrid Mercedes GLE emits 84g/km of carbon dioxide, so earlier models registered prior to 1 April 2017 qualify for free road tax. Cars put on the road after that date pay £180, which includes a £10 discount for hybrids.

The 250d and 350d pay £255 and £355 respectively for earlier versions, while cars registered after 1 April 2017 all stump up the flat rate of £190 for 12 months of road tax.

Looking after a Mercedes GLE at an official dealer will not be cheap, so it might be worth looking for a good independent specialist to lower the labour rate, while still using the right quality of replacement parts.

Getting the Mercedes GLE covered with insurance is, as with most large SUVs, not a cheap business, as the car sits in groups 41 to 50 (out of 50).

The Mercedes GLE Sport is the entry-level trim and gets 19-inch alloy wheels in Himalaya grey, Active Parking Assist with Parktronic and reversing camera, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, a choice of driving modes, powered tailgate, LED headlamps and rear privacy glass.

It also comes with an eight-inch display, DAB, heated front seats, leather upholstery, automatic climate control and a touchpad with multi-touch control.

The Mercedes GLE AMG Line adds 20-inch AMG alloy wheels, AMG body styling, air-suspension, ambient lighting, AMG floor mats, brushed stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs and leather sports seats.

The Mercedes GLE Designo Line is the luxury version and includes parking assist with 360-degree camera, closing aid for doors and bootlid, panoramic electric sunroof with interior sun blind and running boards with rubber studs.

It also has heated rear seats, multi-contour front seats with massage function, memory function for front seats, temperature-controlled cup holders for driver and front passenger, plus a Harman Kardon Logic surround sound system.