Used 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is the successor to the M-Class, which was the original Mercedes-Benz crossover. Similar to the E-Class sedan, the GLE-Class is an SUV that delivers real luxury and real utility with the perk of a more engaging driving experience than you might expect from a crossover. You can only find this balance of luxury, performance, and versatility in a handful of competitors like the BMW X5 and Audi Q7.

This stellar W167 generation of the GLE-Class was all new for the 2020 model year, making the Mercedes a clear leader in midsize luxury SUVs. Since it was redesigned so recently, there are no significant changes for the 2022 model, aside from some new interior upholstery options and standard adaptive high beams.

If you’re looking for breathtaking performance in a premium crossover you can drive every day, you’ll be interested in the AMG GLE 53 4Matic+. It delivers outstanding performance without compromising on luxury. If you like the idea of a performance-oriented midsize luxury SUV, the Porsche Cayenne is another excellent option to consider.

The driving experience of the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class varies depending on how you option it. What they all have in common is that every GLE model has swift performance, a comfortable ride, and more agile handling than you might expect from a crossover.

The standard adaptive suspension system does just fine at soaking up imperfections in the road and hustling around corners. However, the ride is much improved if you opt for the available Airmatic air suspension with E-Active Body Control. This system scans the road in front of you to predict the proper suspension tuning, making you feel like you’re floating over the road. It’s also able to predict curves in the street and lean accordingly, virtually eliminating body roll.

There are five distinct engine options available, and you won’t be bored with any of them. Even the base inline-4 in the GLE 350 delivers plenty of power, but you might want to upgrade if you’re going to be carrying a lot of passengers and cargo regularly. That’s where the turbo inline-6 in the GLE 450 comes in. It makes 362 horsepower without too much of a fuel economy penalty compared to the base engine. The muscular twin-turbo V8 in the GLE 580 makes 483 horsepower and has a satisfying exhaust note.

You can have the inline-6 engine in the AMG GLE 53. It produces 429 horsepower, but you’ll ned to sacrifice some fuel efficiency for the exciting performance. For the driving enthusiast who needs a practical SUV, this is a worthwhile trade-off.

The quality and design of the interior in the GLE-Class are top-notch. From the base model on up, the inside of this crossover is a standard-bearer in luxury SUVs. The materials that the driver touches are high-quality, the controls are intuitive, and the interior design is a pleasure to behold.

You have a wide range of options for interior upholstery and trim, which has gotten wider for 2022 with the addition of Espresso Brown/Black Leather and White/Black Nappa Leather.

Unsurprisingly, the seats in the GLE-Class are supremely comfortable, especially in front. The back seats are a nice place to be, with plenty of legroom and headroom, making them accommodating for kids and adults alike.

One of our only complaints about this SUV is that the optional third row is pretty tight, even for children. If you’re looking for something with more family-friendly 3-row seating in this class, consider the Acura MDX, Volvo XC90, or Cadillac XT6.

Unlike most SUVs in this class, you cannot get second-row captain’s chairs in the GLE-Class if you opt for third-row seats.

Cargo space is generous in the GLE-Class. It has 33.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the back seats folded down. Obviously, there’s less cargo space if you opt for the available third row of seats.

In classic Mercedes-Benz fashion, the exterior styling of the GLE-Class is sophisticated, if a bit on the conservative side. It has enough ground clearance and lower cladding to give it some rugged personality, but it doesn’t go overboard with off-road aesthetics. The clean lines throughout the body make it look sleek and sophisticated, and the front and rear light signatures look classy.

The look changes a bit with the AMG models. These high-performance SUVs are decidedly more aggressive and sporty looking than their non-AMG counterparts with unique grilles and wheels, but they retain much of their subtlety.

The GLE-Class is the same size as the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne. Some players in this class are a little bigger, like the Audi Q7, Acura MDX, and Lincoln Aviator, which have roomier interiors.

MBUX INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
The standard infotainment system in the GLE-Class is the high-tech MBUX system with a big screen that’s futuristic yet easy to use.

AMG INLINE-6 ENGINE
This potent inline-6 in the AMG GLE 53 is a model of smoothness, pumping out 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque.

The base Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 comes well equipped, which helps to justify its relatively high starting price.

Standard features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless charging pad, five USB ports, ambient interior lighting, Dynamic Select with four drive modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual), power front seats with driver memory, heated front seats, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The GLE 350 is the only variant of the GLE-Class with standard rear-wheel drive.

The standard infotainment system is a 12.3-inch MBUX system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, and “Hey, Mercedes” keyword activation. This system is high-tech yet approachable.

Standard safety tech in the GLE-Class includes active brake assist, attention assist, blind-spot monitoring, active parking assist, and an emergency call service.

As is often the case with German luxury vehicles, tons of standalone options and option packages can make the price climb pretty quickly.

Upgrading to the GLE 450 and GLE 580 get you the turbo inline-6 and twin-turbo V8 engines, respectively. They also both come standard with 4Matic AWD. Some available options with the GLE 450 include power soft-close doors, adaptive air suspension, and sport exhaust.

The GLE 580 mostly has the same options as the GLE 450, but adds standard genuine leather upholstery, Airmatic suspension, surround-view camera, and 20-inch wheels.

Several option packages are available that improve the appearance, safety, technology, and luxury of the GLE-Class. For example, the Driver Assistance Package Plus available across the model range adds tons of safety tech like adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, lane-keep assist, route-based speed adaptation, and much more.

Available AMG Line packages for the exterior and interior can give the sporty look of the AMG model without paying for the high-performance engines.

Three-row seating is an option on every GLE SUV.

The AMG GLE 53 comes with the sport-tuned 4Matic+ AWD system, which can send up to 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels. It’s complemented by distinct wheels, sport exhaust, air suspension, red interior stitching, and Burmester premium audio.

Variety under the hood is one of the many strong suits of the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 with 255 horsepower. It’s upgradable to a turbocharged inline-6 (with 362 horsepower) in the GLE 450. The AMG GLE E53 has an even more powerful 6-cylinder producing 429 horsepower, while the GLE 580 is equipped with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that produces 483 horsepower.

Most drivers in the market for a midsize luxury SUV will be content with the base engine. The inline-6 brings a nice upgrade in power and torque, and it’s a good choice for hauling passengers and heavy cargo regularly. If you have an appetite for performance, the V8 is incredible, but it starts at $80,900.

Every GLE-Class is equipped with a smooth and quick-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is standard on all but the base GLE 350 model, which has standard rear-wheel drive and optional AWD.

In the AMG GLE 53, you get the more performance-oriented 4Matic+ system capable of sending up to 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels.

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 (GLE 350 & GLE 350 4Matic)
255 horsepower @ 5,800-6,100 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg (RWD), 19/26 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 with EQ Boost (GLE 450 4Matic)
362 horsepower @ 5,500-6,100 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/25 mpg

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 with EQ Boost (AMG GLE 53)
429 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
384 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800-5,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/22 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with EQ Boost (GLE 580 4Matic)
483 horsepower @ 6,100 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/22 mpg