2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e, more power! Power!
Mercedes has treated the GLE to a facelift and in these times that can only mean one thing: more electrification. Nowadays every GLE has some kind of electric assistance -read: mild hybrid- and the GLE 400e gets a little bit more power. More horsepower … give that GLE to me and I’ll see you in Germany!
Believe it or not, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is one of the founders of the premium SUV market. If you want to thank Mercedes for that, that’s up to you. Anno 1997, Mercedes launched the ML giving them a headstart on the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and even the BMW X5. But Kenny, this car isn’t named ML but GLE. Nice work Sherlock! Mercedes renamed the car in the middle of its third generation to fit their models' new branding and naming. This name is carried on to the fourth generation and this car, its facelift.
Evolution, no revolution
So this is the recently renewed Mercedes GLE, with emphasis on “renewed”. There are some -very limited- exterior changes which include other head- and taillights (reminding us of the GLC 400e), while the bumpers and grill have been tightened. In addition, you still have the choice between the classic SUV or the still fashionable Coupé (with the typical sloping roofline). But it doesn’t matter which body type you choose, the car will always shout: “Yow, look at me. I’m the boss man.”
You probably need a master's degree to spot the differences on the inside. At first glance, these are limited to a new steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons, because unlike a number of other facelifted models, even the mouse pad in the center console remains. This allows you to operate the right of the two 12,3-inch display. No worries, you can also use the touchscreen if you dislike the mouse pad. Furthermore, Mercedes has promised us they would make some buttons and materials more “premium feeling” and if you ask us: they just did that!
Just like the title: more power!
Since the facelift, Mercedes has emphasized electrification and like we told you before, every engine will now come with at least a mild hybrid system. On the very top of that electrification ladder, there are a few plug-in hybrids, which now include the entry-level AMG: GLE 53 Hybrid.
Before the extreme facelift, the petrol-power hybrid we all know was the GLE 350e. A higher number (400 is higher than 350) translates to extra power. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder sends 252 horsepower to the four wheels through a 9-speed automatic gearbox accompanied by a 136hp strong electric engine. All together the power peaks at 381 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque. That’s 48 horsepower more than before.
Plug it in!
It’s not without reason we mention the fact that all the extra horsepower is coming from the combustion engine! This means that the 136 hp electric engine is only just strong enough to get the 2.6 tons GLE moving, but it can run fully electric up to high speeds. Just be gentle with your right foot. The battery is a solid 31,2 kWh big and will give you around 80 kilometers of electric range. So it’s possible to average 2,4 liters per 100 kilometers if you’ve started with a nice full battery. Running the car without that electric help? If you’re lucky you will stay under 10 l/100km. Charging is key!
If you behave well and plug it in, you can enjoy a powerful and …even more important… comfy SUV. It’s so comfy, you will never think it has a sporty potential and it doesn’t. Corners feel out of it’s comfort zone and you’re guessing where you are putting the car in that corner. But we can forgive Mercedes that! This GLE has never been produced for that kind of driving. By the way, this Mercedes is being produced in America, which explains the bulky feeling.
You and your passengers can enjoy tons of leg- and headroom on comfortable seats and in the booth there’s 490 liters of luggage space! That’s enough, but a hefty 140 liters less than the similar GLE without the plug-in part. You also need to provide space for your much-needed charging cables that can’t be stored underneath the booth’s floor.
Ain’t cheap
For the most basic GLE money can buy, the Germans are asking 80.500 euros (that’s for a 300d). A GLE 400e will set you back even more with a basic price of 98.700 euros (BE) and 15.000 euros of options isn’t a rare sight on this type of car. Even in this class, it ain’t cheap, because a BMW X5 is a little bit affordable but an Audi Q7 feels like a steal.
Conclusion
Even though this car is expensive, we totally get why people are buying these things! The Mecedes-Benz GLE 400e was a great traveling companion and we would pick it up again if we had that chance.
