2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE

From the new base model to the range-topping plug-in hybrid and V8 models, the GLE offers a wide range of capabilities and prices. Last year, the GLE range underwent thorough updates, including the addition of a plug-in hybrid model.

For 2025, a 2-wheel drive variant of the GLE 350 base model joins the range, adding even more options to an already broad selection.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of luxury midsize SUVs.

The 2025 GLE SUV gets updates ranging from an all-new rear-wheel drive (RWD) variant to a selection of new Manufaktur Signature colors and the retirement of an existing paint color.

The biggest update is the availability of the GLE 350 without the 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD) system, which is standard on all other GLE SUV variants. This new version will offer a more affordable entry point to the range, starting about $2,500 below the all-wheel drive version. Aside from the drive system, the 2-wheel drive GLE 350 offers the same equipment and features as the 4Matic version.

Also new to the GLE SUV is a standard fingerprint reader in the cabin, three new Manufaktur Signature upholstery color options, and two new Manufaktur Signature paint options. The new upholstery offerings include Carmine Red, Truffle Brown, and Yacht Blue. The new paint colors are Silicon Grey and Cote d’Azur Light Blue Metallic. Emerald Green Metallic is the paint color being retired this year.

A Manufaktur Signature Interior Package is also available, adding Nappa leather upholstery elements, custom lettering on wood trim, microfiber headrest cushions embroidered with the Mercedes-Benz logo, illuminated door sills, high pile floormats, and a range of other upgrades.

By far, the GLE 350 4Matic is historically the most popular among the GLE’s many versions. However, it’s too soon to tell how the new 2-wheel-drive GLE 350 will fare.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV is priced competitively for its segment, just a bit higher than the Audi Q7, Genesis GV80, and the Volvo XC90, and just a bit less than the BMW X7. The Acura MDX ($52,250) and Lexus RX ($48,600) are far more affordable alternatives.

Both the entry GLE 350 and the V8 hybrid GLE 580 are popular with buyers, spanning nearly the breadth of the GLE’s price range, which makes sense: the GLE 350 competes more directly with the lower-priced competition, while the GLE 580 is a more appropriate alternative to the similarly priced Porsche Cayenne.

Should it turn out that the GLE is too big, we suggest the compact GLC. The GLE too small? Check out the GLS.

The GLE’s resale values have been strong historically. Before buying a new GLE luxury midsize SUV, be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE is a luxury midsize SUV, and it rides like one. It has a taut yet comfortable ride and a stable, poised feeling behind the wheel, a difficult combination to master, but the GLE does it with ease.

The GLE 450e 4Matic, added last year, expanded the range to include a plug-in hybrid with brawny power output. This year’s edition of the 2-wheel drive GLE 350 expands its depth to include a more affordable yet still luxurious and capable entry point to the GLE range.

The available E-Active Body Control hydro-pneumatic suspension uses computers to scan the road ahead and make millisecond-level adjustments to the settings for better all-around comfort and handling.

Fuel Economy

The most popular GLE 350 4Matic delivers a government-estimated 22 mpg in combined city-and-highway driving (19 city/16 highway). The EPA has yet to release mileage estimates for the 2-wheel-drive GLE 350. Stepping up to the GLE 450 4Matic reduces the estimates to 21 mpg combined (19/25), while the GLE 580’s numbers drop to 17 mpg combined (15/20). There are no estimates for the plug-in-hybrid GLE 450e. To learn more about the GLE-Class fuel economy, check out the EPA website.

Upgrades to the cabin last year brought Maybach-level details like chrome accents on the air vents, upgraded ambient lighting, piano black trim, and more. For 2025, those upgrades continue to put the GLE’s cabin at the top of the segment in terms of quality, fit, and finish. We aren’t fans of the piano black trim because it always winds up showing scratches and finger smudges.

The GLE’s cabin is also quiet and comfortable, with plenty of space for front- and second-row passengers. The optional third-row seat is snug, however, best suited for occasional use by smaller occupants.

With 40.9 inches of second-row legroom, the GLE offers an inch or two more rear-seat space than the Audi Q7, the BMW X5, and the Genesis GV80.

If you’re looking for cargo space, the GLE is among the most spacious in the midsize luxury SUV class, offering 33.3 cu. ft. behind the second row, or up to 74.9 cu. ft. with the seats folded flat. By comparison, the 2025 Audi Q7 offers a maximum of 69.6 cu. ft and the 2025 BMW X5 fits up to 72.3 cu. ft.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV’s four-door, midsize SUV body received subtle styling updates last year; consequently, Mercedes pretty much left it alone for 2025.

New exterior paint options include the Manufaktur Signature options Cote d’Azur Light Blue Metallic and Silicon Grey.

Wireless Smartphone Integration and Charging

Cord-free means clutter-free and easy use of your smartphone alongside your car’s infotainment system and with the GLE, which also includes standard wireless charging.

Hey Mercedes

Mercedes’ onboard digital assistant, activated by the wake phrase “Hey Mercedes,” is a natural language voice recognition system that lets you control most of the functions of your vehicle with spoken commands. The system is surprisingly adept at understanding what you mean.

Burmester Audio

Audiophiles are used to spending money for excellent sound quality, so the optional 13-speaker, 590-watt Burmester surround-sound system (enhanced with Dolby Atmos) is a natural choice for those who demand the best listening experience.

Powered Tailgate

Standard equipment on the GLE, the powered tailgate system includes programmable height settings. Although this isn’t an earth-shattering feature for a luxury SUV, we are always happy to have it when we need to access the cargo area with arms full of stuff.

Active Parking Assist

Another standard feature, the Active Parking Assist gave us a hand when parking in perpendicular and parallel spaces by controlling the steering.

Full Hybrid Lineup

No matter if you choose the new entry-level 2-wheel drive GLE 350 or the range-topping GLE 580, you’ll get an SUV equipped with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. If you opt for the GLE 450e, you’ll upgrade to a plug-in hybrid system with 49 miles of all-electric range.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV lineup spans a wide range of powertrain types, a list that grows one larger this year thanks to the addition of the 2-wheel-drive GLE 350. All other GLE variants come with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive.

The entry point to the range is the wildly popular GLE 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. The combination is rated for 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. We don’t test acceleration times; however, happily, Mercedes provides its findings with the GLE 350 accelerating to 60 mph from a stop in a claimed 6.9 seconds.

The GLE 350 4Matic features the same powertrain, but the addition of all-wheel drive slows its 0-60-mph acceleration to 7 seconds.

The GLE 450e gets a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with a larger battery and motor for 381 combined hp and 479 combined lb-ft of torque. The GLE 450e does the 0-60-mph run in a claimed 5.8 seconds.

The standard GLE 450 4Matic gets a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine combined with a 48-volt mild hybrid system putting out a total of 375 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and 5.3-second 0-60 mph ability.

At the pinnacle of the (non-AMG) GLE SUV range sits the GLE 580 4Matic, a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8-powered mild hybrid with 510 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. All that power accelerates the GLE 580 to 60 mph from a stop in just 4.3 seconds.

All GLE SUV variants come with a standard 9-speed automatic transmission. Premium gasoline is required for all models.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new vehicle warranty from Mercedes-Benz is for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This applies to the powertrain as well and is typical among Mercedes’ closest competitors. The GLE 450e 4Matic’s hybrid battery gets the same 6-year/62,000-mile coverage applied to other hybrid batteries in the Mercedes lineup.

Safety Ratings

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class hasn’t yet been crash-tested by either the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but the nearly identical 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Our guess is that the 2025 model is likely to receive the same.