Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate Review 2024
The new Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate is an impressive blend of luxury, technology, and versatility. As an SUV that balances performance with practicality, it's the ideal choice for families looking for a premium driving experience. From its spacious interior to advanced driver-assist features, the GLE Estate offers much more than just a stylish ride.
Rivals to the Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate include the BMW X5, Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery, and Volvo XC90.
Our Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate review covers:
- Bold exterior design, with muscular lines and a strong road presence
- Luxurious and spacious interior with seating for up to seven passengers
- 630-litre boot, expanding to 2,055 litres with rear seats down
- Range of efficient powertrains, including diesel and plug-in hybrid options
- Three trim levels are available: Urban Edition, AMG Line Premium and AMG Line Premium Plus
Pros:
- Comfortable Ride
- Luxurious Interior
- Strong Towing Capacity
Cons:
- Bulky Size
- Higher price point
- Fuel Economy for Non-Hybrids
From the outside, the Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate commands attention with its bold, athletic lines and distinctive front grille. The LED headlights add to its sleek, high-tech appearance, while the muscular bodywork gives it a commanding presence on the road. It’s the perfect blend of sophistication and strength, making it just as at home on city streets as it is on the motorway. Step inside, and the luxury continues. The interior of the GLE Estate is meticulously designed, featuring high-quality materials such as soft-touch leather and refined metal accents.
Practicality is a strong suit for the Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate. As a family SUV, it offers flexible seating arrangements for up to seven passengers, making it an ideal option for larger families or those who frequently carry extra passengers. The second row is spacious, and even adults will find the rear seats comfortable, with ample legroom. The optional third-row seats are better suited for children or shorter trips, but the space is welcome when you need it.
One of the standout features of the GLE Estate is its boot space, which is among the best in its class. With the third-row seats folded flat, the boot offers an impressive 630 litres of space, plenty for everyday groceries, luggage, or a couple of golf bags. Fold the second row down, and the capacity expands to a remarkable 2,055 litres, making it perfect for larger items, such as furniture or sporting equipment.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate delivers a premium, spacious, and technology-filled interior that perfectly matches its bold exterior. Inside the GLE Estate, and you’re greeted by an expansive and luxurious cabin. High-quality materials dominate the space, with leather upholstery, brushed metal accents, and wood trim options creating an upmarket feel. The interior is not only about style, but also about comfort and space, which makes the GLE Estate ideal for long journeys or family use.
At the heart of the cabin is the impressive MBUX infotainment system. It comes with dual 12.3-inch widescreen displays that merge the digital instrument cluster with the central infotainment touchscreen. The MBUX system is intuitive, featuring voice activation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration, allowing seamless control of navigation, media, and vehicle settings. With ambient lighting, customisable in up to 64 colours, you can tailor the mood of the cabin to your liking.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate comes in three distinct trims: Urban Edition, AMG Line Premium, and AMG Line Premium Plus.
Urban Edition: The Urban Edition serves as the entry-level trim in the GLE Estate range, offering a strong balance between essential luxury and functionality. Key features include:
- 19-inch alloy wheels, giving the vehicle a sporty, rugged look.
- Artico leather upholstery throughout the cabin, providing a premium feel.
- The MBUX infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens, voice control, and smartphone connectivity (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto).
- Heated front seats, ensuring comfort during colder months.
- Reversing camera, making parking in tight spaces much easier.
AMG Line Premium: The AMG Line Premium trim enhances the sporty character of the GLE Estate with additional features and styling enhancements. Key features include:
- 21-inch AMG alloy wheels, boosting the car’s presence and athletic stance.
- AMG body styling, with sportier bumpers and side skirts.
- Panoramic sunroof, adding an extra layer of luxury and light to the cabin.
- Wireless charging for smartphones, adding convenience to the technology-laden interior.
- Burmester surround sound system, offering enhanced audio quality for music lovers.
- Memory package for driver and front passenger seats, allowing personalised seating and mirror positions at the push of a button.
AMG Line Premium Plus: At the top of the range is the AMG Line Premium Plus, which provides the ultimate in luxury, comfort, and technology. Key features include:
- 22-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, adding to the SUV’s bold and dynamic appearance.
- Nappa leather upholstery, elevating the premium feel of the interior to the next level.
- Head-up display, projecting key driving information directly onto the windscreen for safer, more focused driving.
- AIRMATIC air suspension, ensuring a smoother and more comfortable ride, no matter the road conditions.
- Driving Assistance Package, which includes semi-autonomous driving technologies like Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Lane Keeping Assist, providing a safer driving experience.
- Burmester 3D surround sound system, delivering crystal-clear sound quality throughout the cabin.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate offers a range of engines, combining power, efficiency, and environmental consciousness. Whether you opt for a diesel, petrol, or plug-in hybrid, the GLE Estate caters to different driving needs, from efficient long-distance travel to dynamic, responsive performance. Engine Options:
- GLE 300 d 4MATIC: 2.0-litre diesel engine, 245hp, great for fuel-efficient long trips.
- GLE 450 4MATIC: 3.0-litre petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid, 367hp, offering smooth power and excellent acceleration.
- GLE 400 e 4MATIC Plug-In Hybrid: 2.0-litre petrol + electric motor, 333hp, with up to 40 miles of electric-only driving, ideal for city commutes.
- GLE 400 d 4MATIC: 3.0-litre diesel, 330hp, offering strong power and towing capacity.
The GLE Estate provides a comfortable and dynamic driving experience, supported by the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system for stability in unpredictable UK weather. The AIRMATIC air suspension adjusts the ride for smooth performance on any terrain, while the 9G-TRONIC automatic gearbox ensures seamless shifts. Dynamic drive modes allow drivers to switch between eco-friendly and performance-focused settings, enhancing versatility.
With powerful engines and a towing capacity of up to 3,500kg, the GLE Estate excels in both everyday driving and more demanding tasks. The plug-in hybrid is particularly efficient, offering lower emissions and fuel savings, while the GLE 450 and GLE 400 d provide robust power for motorway driving and towing.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate is now available for purchase at a starting on-the-road price of £73,500.00*, or it can be leased with monthly payments starting from Price On Request.
If you're considering leasing a Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate, we proudly offer excellent car leasing services in the UK. Our leasing deals include a manufacturer's warranty, road tax, breakdown insurance, and free delivery to most areas of the UK mainland (excluding specific regions).
Leasing a Mercedes-Benz GLE Estate can often be a more financially advantageous option compared to purchasing outright, thanks to the fixed monthly payments, variable mileage options, low initial rental, and flexible contract durations.
It's important to note that the 'on-the-road' price mentioned includes a year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee, and a number plate fee. Please be aware that this price is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. To get the most up-to-date information, we recommend contacting your nearest retailer.
