First Drive Review: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic by Henny Hemmes +VIDEO
 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic |
By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
• SEE ALSO: Mercedes-Benz Research and Buyers Guide
 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic |
KITZBÜHEL, Austria - The mid-life update of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class fitted well into the time schedule of the presentation of the new nomenclature that Mercedes announced to start using for its sport-utility vehicles late last year. The M-Class was going to be replaced by the GLE, which was presented last April at the New York International Auto Show. Right before its market introduction this summer, I drove the GLE SUV, as well as the Coupe variant about which I will report later.
Initially, the new names may have seemed somewhat confusing, but when you know the meaning of the letters, it is pretty logical: The crossovers and SUVs start with ‘G’, the first letter of the word ‘Geländewagen’, German for terrain vehicle, which was used for G-Class. The second letter is taken as a link with the third letter that defines the model on which the platform is based, in this case, the E-Class.
Mid-life Update
Aside from the renewed front and rear end, the GLE is still using the
underpinnings of the M-Class, but there is also new technology under its
skin. The 6 and 8-cylinder engines have been updated to match the Euro 6
emission criteria. There are five engine options for the GLE, all teamed to
the 7-speed G-Tronic automatic transmission with torque convertor.
 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic |
Across the complete engine range fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions have been reduced by an average of 17 per cent compared to its predecessor, the M-Class. Completely new is the 250 d with the 205 hp strong 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine in the new base model Mercedes claims that it is the world's first production full-size SUV with a conventional drive line that has an emission as low as 140 g of CO2/km (5.4 l/100 km).
Familiar Qualities, New Engines
In North America, Mercedes will offer the GLE 300d 4Matic, which is
equipped with a V6 engine with an output of 258 hp and 620 Nm of torque,
with a fuel consumption of 44.1 mpg in the combined cycle with 169g/km CO2
emission.
This event also marked the debut of the GLE 500e, the first Mercedes SUV with plug-in hybrid technology, which will also be sold as GLE 550e in North-America.
The PHEV has a directly injected 245 kW/333 hp strong 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine is combined with a 85 kW/116 hp electric motor. The combined output of 325 kWh/ 442 hp is transferred through the nine-speed automatic to all four wheels. The PHEV can drive up to 30 km, or 18 miles, in electric mode and the data show a fuel consumption of only 3.3 l/100 km with 78 g/100 km CO2 and a power consumption of 16.7 kWh/100 km.
 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic |
The GLE comes standard with steel spring and adaptive shock absorbers. The adjustable Airmatic air-suspension that was standard on the M-Class, is an option.
Standard are among others ESP with Curve Dynamic Assist and Crosswind Stabilization and Collision Prevention Assist with autonomous braking. The Driving Assistance package Plus that combines safety and assistance systems, is an option, just like BAS Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist. These are just some of the many features that have been developed to improve safety and will that will be import parts of the technology that allows a Mercedes to drive autonomously.
Mercedes will not continue to offer an off-road package U.S. because, according to Mercedes-Bens USA, it was not very popular among buyers of the ML-models.
Off and On
 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic |
On the road to Munich we drove the GLE 450 4Matic AMG that was equipped with all features that are true to the expression "premium sports." The interior has been updated, but not really changed much. The space is the same as in the M-Class, with a difference: now you can adjust the rear seatbacks. Mercedes uses beautiful materials and all is well executed. You have a good view from the high seating position and the knowledge that you are well protected by a slew of safety systems offers peace of mind.
The GLE is quiet and handles well. The air-suspension wicks away uneven patches in the road. You can feel that the SUV is heavy, but it takes turns with ease and it stays well put on the pavement. The air-suspension combined with the Adaptive Damping System Plus that adapts each wheel to the driving situation and road surface in order to reduce, for example, rolling. With Dynamic Select handling system, the driver can chose between six different modes, from comfort to sport to individual. In Sport transmission mode the car is lowered by up to 15 mm, or 0.6 inches and by nearly an inch in Sport Plus.
Those who want to use the car for towing are offered a capacity of 7,700 pounds and an option with an automatic stowe-able tow hook.
 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic |
We also had a spin in the 500e, dubbed 550e in the U.S. It proved to be fast and is as functional as the IC models. The cargo space is about 8 cubic feet less than in the ‘normal’ GLE, as the battery pack takes some space behind the rear seats and the load floor had to be raised some3 to 4 inches.
For those who want a more sporty feel, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 4Matic may be the SUV of choice. But wait, then there is another option: the AMG GLE 63 or 63 S Coupé, about which I will report later. The AMG 450 Sport and 63 S AMG will be the Coupe models offered on the US market.
All GLE models have reached the market by now, with prices starting at $51,100 for the GLE 350 2-wheel drive, up to $ 64,600 for the GLE 400 4Matic. The GLE 550e PHEV will only be available in California from this month.
GLE 300d 4Matic (new) $52,500
GLE 550e 4Matic PHEV (new) TBA
GLE 350 4Matic (new) $53,600
GLE 350 (new) $51,100
GLE 400 4Matic (new) $64,600
GLE 63 AMG (new) $99,950
GLE 63 S AMG (new) $107,100
