Summary
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a large SUV model that sits between the smaller GLC and larger GLS in the Mercedes-Benz SUV family. The current model arrived in the UK in 2019, and although it’s the second generation to wear the GLE badge, it’s actually the fourth generation of the model (which was originally called the ML from 1997 to 2015).
The GLE range consists of a regular SUV model and a GLE Coupe body style, which is not actually a coupé but rather an almost identical SUV shape with a more raked cargo area. There is also a higher-performance model called the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, and an even faster GLE 63 version arrived in 2020.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE holds an Expert Rating of 70% as of June 2022, which is some way behind the class-leading Volvo XC90 or the Land Rover Discovery.
The GLE has received particular praise for its interior design and quality, as well as its comfortable ride. However, it has been criticised for tight third-row seating and unimpressive handling.
Key specifications
Body style: Large SUV and Coupé SUV
Engines: petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid
Price: From £59,520 on-road
Launched: Spring 2019
Last updated: Winter 2019/20
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic GLE 300d
“The Mercedes-Benz GLE makes an admirable first impression. The biggest feature here is that ride; it’s super-refined and transforms the driving experience. It also means that the GLE will be a great go-to option for those who travel big miles on a regular basis.”
Read review
Auto Express
Model reviewed: 3.0-litre diesel automatic 400 d coupé
Score: 8 / 10
“Finally, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé is a viable alternative to the BMW X6, with a superbly smooth and flexible engine in 400 d form. It’s highly refined, too.”
Read review
Model reviewed: GLE range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes GLE offers seven seats and the best cabin in its class, but it’s not cheap.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 300d AMG
Score: 7 / 10
“There’s much to like about the new Mercedes GLE: the interior is gorgeous, it’s loaded with clever tech, and for the most part, the four-cylinder diesel remains smooth and refined.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“The GLE is Mercedes’ mid-range SUV. It now comes with the option of seven seats, however, making it pretty much all the Mercedes you’ll ever need. With the brand’s new infotainment system aboard, a spacious interior and some smooth engine choices, this is possibly the perfect premium SUV.”
Read review
Autocar
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel-electric plug-in hybrid GLE 350 de Coupé
Score: 8 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350de Coupé won’t be to everyone’s taste, particularly those without easy access to a charger. But if you’re looking for genuine zero-emissions capability over extended distances, for truly luxurious qualities and to stick out from the SUV crowd, it might just be for you.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.9-litre diesel automatic GLE 400d Coupé
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLE 400d Coupé may not be your idea of a desirable luxury car, but it’s certainly an effective one. Refined, efficient, brisk and easy-to-drive, although still not as versatile as a ‘proper’ SUV.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel/electric plug-in hybrid 350de AMG Line Premium
Score: 8 / 10
“The driving experience combines a pleasing steering system and a ride that ripples a little on rough surfaces but is for the most part extremely composed and refined. I liked it rather a lot.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 350de Coupe
Score: 8 / 10
“New diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain adds new dimension to second-generation GLE Coupe, with a class-leading electric range and tax busting CO2 qualities.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 400d
Score: 8 / 10
“The interior is up there with the very best, as is the engine.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 300d 4Matic AMG-Line
Score: 7 / 10
“One of the GLE’s strong suits is its cabin, which is impressively roomy, and for the most part well finished.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“With the arrival of the new fourth-generation model, the GLE has moved up in the Mercedes-Benz line-up, offering greater space, markedly higher levels of refinement and a range of standard features not even available in the brand’s upper luxury models.”
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel/electric plug-in hybrid 350de AMG Line Premium
Score: 8 / 10
“Mercedes-Benz is unique in pairing petrol or diesel engines with its plug-in hybrid models, depending on what they feel is most appropriate. If the BMW X5 hybrid began to transform this sector at the beginning of 2020, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has certainly moved the game on further.”
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The move to seven-seats may have been a no-brainer, but the rest of the car shows off a carefully thought out SUV that majors on technology and comfort, not to mention a diverse engine range.”
Read review
Car Keys
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic AMG Line
Score: 8 / 10
“The GLE is another fantastic Mercedes-Benz SUV, which would be a superb choice for those covering long distances on a regular basis – particularly when paired with the excellent adaptive suspension.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Mercedes GLE is one of the classiest SUV buys, but not the best all-rounder.”
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Mercedes GLE offers superb space, luxury and technology. It’s a shame that the entry-level car isn’t particularly comfortable and space in the rearmost seats is tight.”
Read review
Company Car Today
Model reviewed: GLE 400d AMG Line
“Big improvement across the board makes the GLE a much more competitive package, although we’d advise waiting until summer, when the PHEV will be the one to have.”
Read review
Evo
Model reviewed: GLE 400d
Score: 7 / 10
“Overall the GLE is not the most dynamic option in the class – that accolade still belongs to the Porsche Cayenne S – but it is still one worth considering thanks to that brilliant powertrain and its hewn-from-stone solidity.”
Read review
Heycar
Model reviewed: GLE SUV range
Score: 7 / 10
“The Mercedes-Benz GLE is an appealing and desirable car in its own right, and if you have your heart set on one, there’s absolutely no reason that you shouldn’t. However, we do think that the best rivals offer better practicality, marginally better build quality and a more polished and sophisticated driving experience.”
Read review
Model reviewed: GLE Coupe range
Score: 7 / 10
“Luxury SUVs come in all shapes and sizes these days, and the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is about as sizeable and as shapely as it gets. While most SUVs have a boxy, upright stature, the GLE Coupe adopts a design that’s driven more by style than it is practicality or versatility.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 8.4 / 10
“Impressively tech-laden and desirable SUV”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic GLE 300d AMG Line
Score: 8 / 10
“A quiet and spacious five or seven-set SUV”
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automatic GLE 300d AMG Line
Score: 6 / 10
“The GLE is as lovely as any Merc to sit in, and in its five best seats it’s very roomy. Standard equipment is hard to fault, too. But the gruff engine in this 300d means it’s not the one to have, while suspect ride quality and ponderous handling mean you have to ask why you’d pick the GLE over one of its more rounded rivals.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: GLE Coupé range
Score: 7 / 10
“Superb at striding along motorways. Not comfy enough in town. But it’s all about the image, right?”
Read review
Model reviewed: Hybrid
Score: 7 / 10
“This offers everything a regular GLE does – right up to its 3.5-tonne towing capacity – but with the added bonus of making less noise. Both for you and passers-by.”
Read review
Model reviewed: 300d
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s a pretty complete car, the Mercedes GLE.”
Read review
What Car?
Model reviewed: SUV range
Score: 8 / 10
“Some rivals are more practical and better to drive, but the Mercedes-Benz GLE has a dazzling interior, and on air suspension, is a comfortable cruiser.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Coupé range
Score: 6 / 10
“The Mercedes GLE Coupé is undeniably well-equipped and looks impressively flash inside, however, there are better picks for the money. An Audi Q8 is comfier and has a better-built interior, a Porsche Cayenne Coupé is more fun to drive and a BMW X6 is a better all-rounder. The plug-in hybrid 350de does make a lot of sense to company car users, though.”
Read review
Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The new Mercedes-Benz GLE is an impressive luxury SUV and a suitable riposte to the likes of the Audi Q7 and BMW X5. It can’t quite match those models’ sharpness in the corners, but offers a comfort-biased driving experience that will take the sting out of even the most demanding journeys.”
Read review
Model reviewed: GLE Coupé range
“The smooth, refined and powerful drive, combined with reasonable practicality and a sumptuous interior, are compelling, but the sheer bulk makes it cumbersome in town.”
Read review
Model reviewed: GLE 350 de diesel/electric plug-in hybrid automatic
“Just as with the regular model, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 de plug-in hybrid qualifies as a Which? Best Buy. It combines all the benefits of a luxury SUV – including huge space and masses of comfort – with lower potential fuel costs than a conventional diesel, even if its overall energy consumption is still quite high.”
Read review
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: July 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 91%
Child protection: 90%
Vulnerable road users: 78%
Safety assist: 78%
No eco rating
As of June 2022, the Mercedes-Benz GLE has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
As of June 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Mercedes-Benz GLE to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided to us exclusively by our partner, MotorEasy, taken from new and used car warranty claims throughout their nationwide garage network. As soon as we have sufficient data on the GLE, we’ll publish the score here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Mercedes-Benz GLE has received
2021
- Auto Trader New Car Awards – Best 7-seater
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Mercedes-Benz GLE, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Audi Q7 | Audi Q8 | BMW X5 | BMW X6 | Land Rover Discovery | Lexus RX L | Maserati Levante | Porsche Cayenne | Range Rover Sport | Volkswagen Touareg | Volvo XC90
Buy a new or used Mercedes-Benz GLE
If you’re looking to buy a Mercedes-Benz GLE, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car
Buy a car online from your sofa. We’ll deliver it. Find out more
Discover great deals available on both new and used cars. Find out more
Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more
Finding your next car is easy at Motorpoint. Find out more
Lease a new Mercedes-Benz GLE
If you’re looking to lease a new Mercedes-Benz GLE, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal
Personal contract hire deals from Carparison Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Hippo Leasing. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Moneyshake. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from LeaseLoco. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Ready2Lease. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Rivervale Leasing. Find out more
Car subscriptions
If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (PS: What’s a car subscription?)

Electric car subscriptions from Elmo.
Find out more