The Mercedes-Benz GLE is a reliably excellent mid-size luxury SUV offered in two body styles: a traditional SUV and a so-called coupe with a raked roofline for a sportier appearance at the cost of rear-seat space and cargo volume.
The SUV is also available with an array of powertrains ranging from the new plug-in hybrid GLE450e to the 603-horsepower AMG GLE63 S, while the coupe only comes in two flavors, both tweaked by Mercedes’ AMG performance division. For 2024, the refreshed GLE SUV starts at $63,800, and the coupe has a starting price of $90,950 (all prices include $1,150 destination charge).
Both body styles get a mid-cycle facelift for 2024, with a new grille, front bumper, color and wheel choices, as well as an updated infotainment system. The big news for 2024 is the new plug-in hybrid GLE450e, which combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a 23.3-kilowatt-hour battery.
Powertrain Specs, MPG and PHEV Range
The GLE450e’s plug-in hybrid powertrain puts out a total of 381 hp and 479 pounds-feet of torque, impressive numbers for something that also boasts up to 48 miles of electric range, according to Mercedes. The company hasn’t released fuel-economy estimates yet but says the SUV’s battery can charge from 10%-100% in less than three hours on a standard household outlet.
With the rest of the powertrain lineup offering an inline-four, two inline-sixes and two V-8s — all turbocharged and with mild-hybrid assistance — the GLE line has something for every well-heeled buyer. No matter what engine you choose, all are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and send power to a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.
The GLE350’s 255-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 295 pounds-feet of torque and is rated by the EPA at 20/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined. Moving up to the GLE450 gets a 375-hp, turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder that puts out 369 pounds-feet and is rated at 19/26/22 mpg. In the AMG GLE53, the six-cylinder gets a larger turbocharger and revised programming for 429 hp and 413 pounds-feet; the EPA rates it at 18/23/20 mpg and dings the coupe 1 mpg on the highway for ratings of 18/22/20 mpg.
V-8s still holding a position of prestige in the fast-changing automotive world, Mercedes offers two in the GLE. The GLE580 packs a 510-hp, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 whipping up 538 pounds-feet of torque; the company says it’s good for a 0-60 mph sprint of just 4.3 seconds, and the EPA says it’s good for 15/20/17 mpg.
The AMG GLE63 S: Its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 is assembled by hand and churns out 603 hp and 627 pounds-feet of torque, enough to catapult it to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. According to the EPA, both the coupe and SUV versions of the AMG GLE63 get 15/19/16 mpg.
Standard and Available Safety Features
Every 2024 GLE includes a good bit of safety tech as standard equipment, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitors, a driver attention monitor, automatic high beams, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system and automated parking. A Driver Assistance Package is available on every model for $1,950 and adds adaptive cruise control, lane departure steering assist and emergency steering assist.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-class is on sale now. Full-line pricing is as follows:
SUV
GLE350: $63,800
GLE450: $70,650
GLE450e: $70,650
GLE580: $87,850
GLE53: $87,900
GLE63 S: $128,850
Coupe
GLE53: $90,950
GLE63 S: $130,200
