Mercedes GLE review: You won’t believe what’s changed!
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2024
- Meet the new Mercedes GLE!
The GLE sits between the GLC and GLS in Mercedes’s SUV range. The question is, should you choose it over its smaller or bigger brother? And does it offer enough to sway you away from competitors like the BMW X5 or Audi Q7?
Well for starters, let’s check out the design. On the outside, the car is still relatively similar to the previous car, but with a few key changes. Around the back there’s a set of new taillights, and along the side there are some new alloy wheel designs to choose from. Up front, it’s more of the same, although you’ll find an updated grille flanked by a set of new headlights and daytime running lights.
Step inside and you’ll find even more similarities to the old car. One of the key updates is the steering wheel, which now comes equipped with a load of touch sensitive buttons. But to be honest, we think they’re a bit fiddly to use, and if anything we’d rather have the old steering wheel back! Otherwise though the design is pretty nice, and there are soft touch materials throughout most of the cabin - just don’t reach down too low if you’re afraid of scratchy plastics!
When it comes to engine choices, there are a load to choose from. We’ve got our hands on the plug-in hybrid edition, which comes equipped with a 2-litre 4 cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, which combine to produce 380hp. There are two diesels to choose from, with the range-topper being a 3-litre straight-six that delivers 390hp, and finally there are a few petrol options to choose from, with the range-topper of course being the AMG 63, which comes with a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 that puts down 634hp.
Here’s the thing though, the GLE isn’t cheap! It starts from around £78,000, and if you’re looking for the plug-in hybrid like we have here, that’ll set you back around £93,000! So is it worth it? You’ll need to stick with Mat and see for yourself!
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:26 Design
01:20 Price
02:10 Interior
04:30 Back Seats
06:18 Boot
07:07 5 Annoying Things
09:38 5 Good Things
12:19 Engines
13:27 Town Driving
16:01 Motorway Driving
18:25 Country Road Driving
19:53 0-60mph
21:39 Verdict
Mat’s GLE Choice: bit.ly/Mats-Choice-3110
BMW X5 Review: bit.ly/-BMW-X5-Review-2023
Audi SQ7 Review: bit.ly/-Audi-SQ7-Review-2023
Sell your car with carwow: bit.ly/-Buy-Sell-WOW-3110 - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Mercedes GLE v BMW X5: Which is best? VOTE below!
VOTE: Mercedes GLE!
VOTE: BMW X5!
Gle 63
Gle
X5M for LIFE
The delay on the fuel flap (and the reason you have to use the button) is because the tank is pressurised and not vented like a normal tank. It needs to vent before you can open the cap. This reduces hydrocarbons evaporating from your fuel which reduces emissions and your fuel keeps its quality longer. Also the wood is actually real veneer
Wood is not desired anyway because it splinters in a crash. I wish these journalists would point out these things.
@@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330yes. It maybe also resulting a severe damage on the car anyway.
@@pdsnpsnldlqnop3330I think splinters are the last thing you would be worrying about in a crash. 😂
@@hbeer3480 Depends how big the splinter is...
X5 does the delay fuel door thing too; totally fine. Also, many people don't carry charging cables with a PHEV (no reason to seek out charge on the road, other than novelty); main savings is charging overnight at home, short city driving. Understanding the typical owner usage patterns would help in the reviews.
You're Mat Watson and I'm watching carwow, all the way from South Africa🇿🇦
Do you guys really have to drop flags in every comment section vele?😂
Plzz tell mat to come review the e30 333i
@@neojr.2737🔥🔥🔥
Yes my brother. 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
@@lexegoramaje1016why, yes, yes we do 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
Now that the updated GLE and X5 are out, you should do a comparative test between the two.
Seconded
Yes
both care crap quality
Drag race…
No point.
I no longer see that Mercedes and Audi are competing with BMW.
Nowadays, BMW cars are superior in almost everything, and that's quite boring indeed.
I just replaced my GLE 350DE after 60k miles of use, totally loved it despite the size. The size was an odd issue for me as its bulk was mainly the flared arches and general design, looks great but in tight city spaces and narrow roads cumbersome. I only changed it as they dropped the diesel hybrid, which is an amazing engine combination - powerful and 45 mpg average economy. The petrol replacement at low 20 mpg makes little sense for me, especially as the electric motor range averaged 40 miles in summer and 25 in winter. The comfort was amazing, although the air suspension rolled too much for some passengers at times. I have now taken delivery of the new GLC 300DE, similar spec as the GLE, bit smaller, much tighter to drive and with an 80 mile average electric range and 72 mpg (so far) overall average, jumping from the GLE to the GLC no real compromise in comfort, bit less space in the back and a much better interior than the GLE.
What about the ride quality? I understand the GLC is more sporty whereas the GLE has more waft. Is that correct?
I would say the GLC is sharper, less roll through corners, not quite as bump absorbing as the GLE but a much tighter engaging drive. I understand from a contact that although european GLE sales have dropped through the floor, replaced by the GLC in many cases, US sales remain high as it suits that market better, plus it is built in Alabama.
We spent awhile looking at EV and Hybrid. We chose hybrid as having option for petrol for long trips just made sense. It’s 100% the way to go to have the flexibility. Decided hybrid and narrowed to X5 and GLE hybrid. They are the clear top IMO as you really need 50-60 miles EV to make it make sense. Went MB as we couldn’t find a BMW spec we liked as choices are slim ATM. I disagree most won’t charge it as the car comes with a standard charger and only takes 3 hours. No fast charger install needed. Super easy and convenient to simply plug in at night vs. going to a gas station. We have averaged 58 miles in our GLE 450e in EV so if your daily commute is around 60 miles you can’t go wrong with it. $2.50 EV vs. $15 in gas where we are per day. We are saving around $300/mo in fuel differential but more
Importantly is just the convenience of simple plug in at night but still having gas engine for longer commutes.
BMW X5
Most trips people drive on electric in a Hybrid are to or from work, for which charging overnight and/or at work is enough and 3 hours in fast enough.
@@mypdf Yep, been on 100% electric since 2021 and it's been great. People overestimate their mileage and don't realise you can charge at home for 9p per kWh.
I went X545e. Since late 2020 about 2/3 of my miles are electric (only because of the 1 per month road trip lately). Still often go months without refilling the tank.
He meant most won't charge it on the road.
The fact that the x5 plug in has a 3litre i6 and gle a 2.0 engine speaks for itself
Gle 450 is 3li6 I believe
@@SM-1010 you have to spend more to get the I6 on the GLE, on the X5 it comes with an I6 as standard
Good that you test the acceleration but it would be even better if you also tested the deceleration which is more important in my opinion
*Negative acceleration
My E class hybrid saloon with the same engine/electric drivetrain also suffers from the added weight, especially in comfort mode. In any bend you are always aware of the mass behind you, and the air suspension struggles to cope with bumps. It's only really at home on smooth motorways. The rear tyres also cost a small fortune and don't last long. I recently drove a non plug in hybrid E class and it was much better, even without air suspension. Having said that , if you stick my hybrid in sport+ it transforms the whole car and the engine really does sound good for a four cylinder.
i've been the second owner of my grandpa's '22 GLE350. got about 3-4k miles on it myself and i'm glad to see the facelift's still pretty much as good as it used to be, although im not a fan of the new steering wheel touch controls and such. however, its good that they fixed stuff like the gas/brake tuning because thats one of the biggest downside of the pre-facelift imo
Love the design, it stands out on the road a lot. But I like the old headlights way more
💯
Mee too😂😂
I have the 2021 gle, love the headlight design 😊
i don't...i love this new ones
i bet all those changes are related to cost saving and maximising profits 😂
It is
In fact see Mercs back until 2013 and see how their quality dropped dramatcally since then because of C*cough*hi*n*cough*a
Holy shit you’re saying companies seek profits? They don’t operate as charities??
Great review Matt. Was thinking of asking you of a review for the new 2024 Gls 450 petrol.
Just saying about the steering wheel, I have a e class coupe with the same wheel and you DO get used to it and it’s not annoying at all
The GLE 63 for me is as heavy as even Legacy B4 Blitzen.
@@purwantiallan5089 Legacy B4 Blitzen weigh 3285 lbs while GLE 63 weigh 5456 lbs. The GLE 63 is far heavier
One of my favorite suv ..looks nice
Great video. Please do an updated video on the new BMW ix3 after the 2022 upgrades!
The fake tip exhaust...would make it to
real exhaust from bumper
Matt did you check for all the rattling plastic panels of the door and dashboard. Substandard quality of fitment.
I wonder if the motor will wear quicker since you would only use it when you need more power; it wouldn't be heated up so you are essentially running a cold started engine at high loads.
Engine parts are thougher in the hybrid versions!🙌
@@marcussw2000where did you get this from? I really don’t think they are and engine toughness doesn’t matter if you are over revving a cold engine
Phevs do tend to wear their engines faster.
Wouldn't most hybrids start the ICE when the ICE is cold? The hybrid I drove always ran the ICE at first start when the car's been switched off for a while..
True, if you rag on it when cold, it wont last. But if you drive normally, its no issue at all...
Hi Matt, thanks for all you do, have you done a video on an BMW M850i soft top or a coupe and what you think of them, Cheers.
LOL @ the surround view camera skit! Loved that
Matt is never boring to watch, Cheers car wow!
Great video ❤❤
Also btw can we have a car review of Volvo EX90😅 pls
The EX90 is still under development and has been delayed until Q1-24.
Loved the 360 bit. You are so much fun to watch.
when driven in petrol only mode during the test, does it charge while driving or is the petrol burned for "range only"? because if it charges, the range should reflect the additional charge too.
you cant drive it in "petrol only" mode.. unless you use sport which then uses lower gears and the car is fueling more to respond a lot quicker which means it sucks fuel. When the battery does run dry, the car runs in hyrbid (like prius) where the electric motor kicks in a slow rolling speeds and then the petrol kicks. it does charge the battery enough to roll around in "hybrid" at town driving but if you cruise on the motorway then it does charge the battery. Not sure about the gle but my c350e managed around 30-40mpg on a decent trip.
Can then new gle still bounce?
Great to see the stick of truth back in these reviews. That is the truth Mat. 😉
BMW X5
Good video Matt. There is also a 580 version with over 520hp and a V8 TT engine.
@carwow between the mercides G wagon and the Gle which do you prefer.
2:20 that's an absolute deal breaker for me. Just give me physical buttons.
90% od functions on that wheel are buttons. Touch is only for volume and screen control. Absolutely fine to use
$100,000 for fake leather?
Not using cars fast charging facility if you have one on longer trips is madness to me, as it is fast enough to make actual difference even on coffee breaks. Have Volvo V60 and XC90, both T8 or plug-in hybrids, and it's quite frustrating when half an hour gives you only something like 6km of range. Otherwise like them a lot.
Matt can you review the Acura Integra? thx
Best SUV in the market. Great job Mercedes.
Seriously ? Better than the Genesis GV80 ?
Great review! I think i still prefer the looks of the x5 it's much more aggressive Can you get heated seats for the rear?
I believe you can get heated seats on the rear but no ventilation seats for the rear.
you can't
@@Whiponized Yes you can
You can get that in a C Class. Why should that not be possible?
they work for about 4 years then break
I bought a new 350de hybrid in 2021….the diesel engine is very economical and I’m getting about 50miles on full electric….would recommend! Certainly better than my 2015 Range Rover sport v6 diesel I had previously…
When will you make a review for the X5 50e LCI?
4 cylinders on a GLE that costs 90k…..
Looks beautiful, but somehow the new GLC has got some more luxurious features.
Would you get a 2024 GLE 450 E or X5 50 E? Both are plug in hybrid in North America.
Can you please review the "new" BMW X5 50e? I would love to see a comparison of those 2 cars🙏
Hey Mat...!!! I am planning to buy XUV700 over Scorpio N. I know its not available in Europe. Can u please have a look at it and say whether my decision is right??
Kya kar raha bhai tu ?..
Wait 2-3 years and you get these for half the price.
they far apart after 3
I genuinely cracked up on the viagra joke @ 2:50 🤣
My dad's got this car he loves it and the value is great for the future
Great review as usual but i still prefer the quality of the interior and design of the bmw x5
And ofc how it drives
1:33 That front bumper misalignment on the wheel arch.... on a 93k car... ouch...
What are you waffling about?
bro it’s perfectly fine lmao
@@aiexielplays8028 @Blah647 maybe your screen is not big enough... you can see it better at 1:21
@@cos_marc nah it’s just your eyes
@@cos_marcEven more obvious at 1:14
Great video Mat!!
Matt can you review the new corsa but automatic
The key change is usually to replace metal and high Quality parts with cheaper parts.
And to increase the price by 5%
*7%
They are a nice looking car but I’d rather a X5
Ew BMWs are trash
After driving them both a lot, I’d actually much preferred the GLE. I drove a GLE53 and X5 M60i
I love the humor
I own a 2021 gle and i love it , i compared it to a range rover sport and bmw x7 and the gle looks more aggressive and taller than the others😊
"... five annoying things about this car". I've counted a lot more IRRITATING things about this car considering its price tag. I think Merc is taking us for fools.
its interesting my 2018 C350e Plug in hybrid disappeared for a few years from the market and is coming back but in an SUV form.
Please review the 450 with E-active body control😍
BMW has some advantages over Mercedes with having features such as Digital Key, the available high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system and a special cornering lamp in each LED headlamp housing. You can get a fully loaded M60i with a V8 for an equally equipped AMG GLE 53 with less power. Both are very nice and Mercedes has some cool features over the BMW as well. I think the GLE 53 needs more power but apparently Mercedes just announced a hybrid AMG GLE 53 that will be at dealers at the end of 2025. Lol
Lovely!!!! Stick of Truth doesn't lie, Trim looks clean and fake.
Can you make your app available in the Netherlands as wel mate?
Struggling to decided between the 300d premium or the 450d
X5 M is better than any GLE models
Even the GLE63s?
You cannot compare an M X5 to a non AMG GLE
@@snakeeyes9246 yes even gle 63s is worse than X5M
Its unfortunate that they don't change the appearance at all. You pay some good money to buy a brand new one and everyone thinks you have the one from 2015.
Clicked for the X5 review and ended up on a Carwow road trip via a link-CZcams was already my destination! Next time, let's skip the scenic detour. It's better to let us visit the site organically, rather than tricking us into it. Love the content, though, and was just about to give it a thumbs up!
Review the Suzuki fronx gls please
Mat you almost broke the electric tow hitch by stepping on it before it fully locked....
I’ve never had an issue with the touch sensitive steering wheel controls. They work well and i’ve never accidentally hit them while turning the wheel. The facelift GLE/GLS are fantastic. MUCH more solid than the pre facelift
I work at mercedes .. they work. They do not work well
@@michaelkennedy8573 Same here, but i’ve never had an issue with them.
@@michaelkennedy8573I worked at mercedes too. They work, matt is just a clown
Same, so good, does not make sense what they say about them
@carwow ...... Hi Team we need the LCI G05 review specifically the X5 50e been waiting for one too long
Could you continue with the comparison of cars to some other things at the start of video?
You’re absolutely right about the gle , I believe BMW X5 is much better
1:02 😂 only you Matt, never change.
14:34 so nobody is going to talk about that Aston Martin just casually driving around the town.
I was looking for this comment. Am not alone
This is one tank like of an SUV. I saw a photo of this vehicle in an article where it saved a mother and her child from a huge falling tree accident during a freak thunderstorm the other day. The vehicle actually took the whole brute force of the impact directly on its roof, and the survivors got to crawl out from the rear shattered window with only minor injuries. What a tough SUV!👍
It also weighed more than even RUF CTR2.
roof usually has the thinnest panels
That fake wood pun was hilarious 😂😂😂
But a bit off as its real wood
please do the 63 version
Does this bent screen interfere with the use of the phone?
X5 all the way! Even the old model is better than this. Merc dropped a bomb 💣
Wrong
Mercedes GLE shame they fall apart
Can you do a review on the facelift Renault Clio 2023?
14:38 there's a white supra on the background. that's some fine machinery
BMW X5 kills this in every aspect.
Yes! 😄
3:08 In India the GLE (pre facelift model) you will find soft touch materials all the way down.
my 9 year old loves the running board. she uses that thing to get in everyday
Is there a rear heated seat function
Disappointing that merc still can’t be bothered to integrate the screens in the dash properly. The blue lighting looks awful, stringfellows toilet comes to mind
What are you on about? The screens are integrated into the dash, which most brands aren’t doing at all.
And the ambient lighting color can be adjusted to whatever you prefer.
@@TranceFur look again, the screens are mounted on top of the dash , “integrated” means to be part of. Only VAG do integrated screens.
it is getting ridiculous how we got used to lower quality for more money these days...no buttons, plastic, fake leather, fake wood, exposed cup holders for 90k good job Mercedes!
You can get the GLE with very small amounts of plastic, real leather all over the car, real wood, heated/cooled cup holders. What else do you want?
Is mercedes....mercedes is plastic fake leather and problems with steering😂😂😂😂😂
The filler flap button is not an issue as you will press it as you get out of the car to fill up
Hopefully you do a review of the new Porsche cayenne suv soon, very similar price range for the standard hybrid version
Former owner of 2 X5s and most recently a Cayenne, I test drove all of the latest SUVs in the segment back to back and ended up buying my first Mercedes - the AMG GLE 53. For me, it was the best blend of looks, performance, and quality for the price. The interior is much nicer than the new X5, it has more options, and it was less than a new Cayenne with the same performance. I was actually prepared to hate it, but I knew as soon as I drove it that it made sense for me. The turbo 6 with mild hybrid tech is also great for gas mileage!
I’ve driven a 53 and an X5 M60i many times, and I also like the GLE. The steering and handling is way better in the AMG, and it sounds better, making it more fun to drive. The interior is better like you said, and it’s way more spacious in the second row.
@@heinman6250 agree. I was SHOCKED at the leg room in the back. More than in the X5 or in my Cayenne. The AMG exhaust is very nice - probably the best sound you can get from a 6 cyl. Maybe not quite as sharp in the steering as the Porsche but better than the X5. I was honestly very shocked. I had looked at non AMG GLE models in 2018 and wasn’t impressed. This time, comparing X5 4.0 and 5.0 with the Cayenne Platinum and AMG 53 GLE, I really like the Mercedes best. And the MB UX and interior screens are fantastic!
quality? what is that based on lol
@@hassyg4083 compared to latest X5, it’s considerably better. On par with Cayenne but different as I went from Porsche to this. Interior layout is superior. MBUX is wayyy better than BMW as well
@@The_Dominic for quality it would be either toyota rav4, mazada cx30 or honda crv but for interior yeh the german
I strongly disagree with the Mat, I have been using same steering wheel in my 2021 e class and it's easy to use, never accidentally pressed or touched the capacitive buttons. 5/5 better looking than the normal avangarde steering wheel design
disagree, the one with the knurled volume adjusters is still better from a couple years ago
Why haven’t you actually done a review of the facelift X5??? Specifically the hybrid???
18:54 The way you say Sporty Mode, sounds all American 😁 Reminds me of us Americans pulling random English accents
Fake leather at this price point is ludicrous 😂
Yeah. BMW X5 offers full merino leather unlike Mercedes GLE
They'll tell you it isn't them being cheap, it's them being environmentally friendly 🥰
Germans finnesing these idiots
Let me see nothing much has changed it’s still a modern Mercedes which means it will fall apart & become an endless money pit after about 3-5 years. At least here in Australia. Gone are the days when Mercedes Benz actually stood for quality and engineering like no other cars. Quality has taken a quite a big hit. They are just like any other car these days cutting costs.
You are on point. Plus you can get so much more going with Asian SUVs. They are much cheaper and much much more reliable than this. We got 22 Pathfinder Platinum. $30k cheaper than 2.4L turbo model. Plus it comes with 3rd row seat, reclining captain middle chairs, reliable vq35 V6, ZF9 tranny, 6k lbs towing and most importantly no junky air suspension. Super comfortable on straight and going thru mountains.
Hello, could you do the review of the BMW x6 m competition 2024? It's my favorite SUV
Wow carwow. Am CarWow and you are watching Mat Watson...all the way from Nairobi Kenya.😂😂😂😂😂
GLE as the better interior 👌🏾
It has nice screen but has a lot of cheap plastics around the cabin and doors.
@@richardlabejanot really. It is the mercedes with almost the least plastic. If you get leather seats the doors are fully made of leather, all buttons metal, real wood vinyr etc. Where do you see a lot of cheap plastic?
@@richardlabeja they put plastics under the hood. the interior can seem quality though
The gle is such a nice car, best looking Mercedes suv imo, perfect balance between sportiness and Large
There's no such thing as a good looking Mercedes suv. They all look preposterous.
Until you drive it. Feels like driving a truck. Preferred Sorrento or even GLB in terms of driving experience. Definitely not worth £85k or whatever they're selling it for
U literally have the sq7 for "sportiness and large" and merc SUVs especially are probs the worst looking SUVs of any brand, they do good coupes, sedans and wagons, but their SUVs look horrendous and mishappen
@@bartoszmiki6774as disastrous looking as even the Cizeta V16T. LOL. 😂
@@geolykosagree.
Please review the X5 LCI
All we want is the bounce mode🎉
People like nice looking exhausts! I don't understand why reviewers nag about it. Car makers don't care about a single guy who's job is to point out these, they care about the 10s of thousands of customers who care about the aesthetics of their car exhausts.