If you're in the market for a luxury SUV, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more complete package than the Mercedes-Benz GLE 300d.
The premium SUV game is as hotly contested as it has ever been, with so many options to choose from in South Africa. Audi has the Q, BMW has the X, and then Mercedes-Benz with their GL family, formerly the ML. The GLE's lineage began with the M-Class, where the brand established the premium SUV segment in 1997, and even though the 'M' nameplate is no longer in use, the GLE now carries the legacy further.
The current fourth-generation GLE was first introduced locally in 2019, and everything about it is big! The 4.9-metre length and 2 157mm width are immediately visually apparent, further enhanced by the AMG-line package. Having had this vehicle on test for a week, the part we dreaded the most was parking the massive SUV in an ordinary undercover garage. The GLE, it must be said, is a vehicle better accustomed to double garages and huge driveways.
About the model
Even though one would assume it is powered by a 3.0-litre unit – partly due to the 300 badging – under the bonnet, you'll find a turbodiesel 2.0-litre engine with outputs of 180kW and 500Nm. Sending power to all four wheels is the impressive 9-speed automatic transmission, which is a staple of other Mercedes-Benz models and keeps fuel consumption low, as is the nice thing about diesel engines. Though the German automakers claim fuel consumption to be 6.4 litres, you'd need to drive economically all the time to reach that figure. We averaged 7.2-litres in the Comfort drive setting.
An interesting feature we noticed was the 'switching off' of the engine when your foot is taken off the accelerator and runs at idling speed, enabling the car to 'glide' and save fuel. When the accelerator is depressed again, the connection comes to life, and normal order is resumed.
The GLE weighs more than two tonnes, which one would assume would have a massive effect on overall driveability. The chassis feels a tad underpowered, but it's not something that will spoil your experience. The consensus is that engines are getting smaller but more powerful, and it's all about finding that balance between delivering optimal power delivery and driveability, which Mercedes-Benz must refine – not improve. There are no random creeks or cracks from any interior components, and the overall build quality is top-notch.
The test unit came equipped with the optional 20-inch alloy wheels, but if you want a softer ride, there's air suspension on offer for R29 000. The German brand's range of optional extras is undoubtedly costly. Premium isn't cheap, it must be said. With the steep ground clearance and beefy 20-inch alloy wheels, occupants must make use of the sidestep to get in comfortably, but once inside, it's a model of comfort.
A party interior
There's leather seating all around, and then there's the exclusively Mercedes-Benz ambient lighting strips along the centre console and door panels that quite literally bring the interior to life.
I consider myself a good barometer of available rear seat space because of my height and long legs, with there being more than sufficient space for occupants no matter what the position(s) of the front seats are. There's optional 3rd-row seating available for more space, but that will add an extra R16 000 to the price. If you're buying this vehicle, you can probably afford that and the other packages.
Mercedes-Benz has one of the best interior designs in the premium SUV segment, and I found the layout to be very ergonomic for my daily driving. Serving as the hub of everything entertainment is the MBUX infotainment screen (standard across the range) that can be controlled via the touchpad, the touchscreen and left-sided steering wheel controls.
With so much functionality and input, the MBUX system doesn't lag when switching between the various menus. Linking any smartphone to the infotainment is simple. The GLE has sturdy handles on each side of the navigation pad, which is excellent for resting your hand on something.
It has a nice-sized boot (630 litres) compared to some of its main rivals like Audi Q7, BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne or Volvo XC90 and gobbles up many grocery bags with aplomb. A big SUV must have the boot to match, and the GLE certainly ticks that box. If, for some reason, that space is not enough, the rear seats can be folded down to create 2 055-litres.
Safety and convenience
The GLE comes packed with the best in safety and convenience features like seven airbags (front side, driver's knee, passenger's knee), brake assist, keyless access, LED headlights with daytime running lights, a rear camera for park distance control, electric-adjustable mirrors, hill descent control and navigation. Then there are also optional features like heads-up display, keyless central locking, high beam assist, run-flat tyres, lane keeping assist, keyless central locking and lane change blind spot warning. Mercedes-Benz South Africa has a full inventory of packages and pricing.
A new feature of Active Brake Assist in the Driving Assistance package is the turning-off function, which comes into play when the driver intends to turn off across the oncoming lane. In the event of a risk of collision with oncoming traffic, the GLE can carry out autonomous braking.
Verdict
Besides its brute appearance, there's much to like about the GLE. The diesel is excellent as a family cruiser with more than sufficient space and great fuel consumption. For those that want more power, there are the six-cylinder 400d and 450 offerings with more power and torque.
Pricing (at launch)
GLE 300 d 4MATIC - R 1 210 500
GLE 400 d 4MATIC - R1 351 200
GLE 450 4MATIC - R1 329 400
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