2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

But wait ... there's more. Just like an infomercial, the options seem to go on and on. On top of these basic four engine combinations, the AMG performance variant trots out a parade of power. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 is propelled by an enhanced 3.0-liter six-cylinder good for 429 hp. This is the same horsepower output as last year but Mercedes says it produces more torque and accelerates a bit quicker than before. And at the top of the food chain, the AMG GLE 63 is set up with a sweet handcrafted 4.0-liter V8 making a thumping 603 hp.

Previously, the performance exhaust was not standard in the AMG GLE 53, and it's a must-have. The SUV makes beautiful sounds on the downshifts. Braking is similarly impressive, as the wide tires and large brakes slow the GLE down quickly and smoothly without so much as a tremble. We found that using the Sport or Sport+ throttle mode was the most enjoyable when paired with the Comfort suspension setting. The SUV tackles twisty roads with aplomb while still keeping passengers from feeling jostled.

Inside the cabin, road noise is minimal, which bodes well for music aficionados who want to enjoy the available high-quality Burmester audio system. The only noise you might notice is likely coming from the wheelwells as air circulates around the tires, and even so it's not intrusive. Choosing the third-row option in the GLE means two more spots for passengers, though those seats are best reserved for children.

The GLE has a new steering wheel with integrated sensor controls that require only a light touch to activate. Thumbing up and down through different speeds while using cruise control may be slightly difficult for those with medium to larger hands due to the canted spokes, but it's otherwise nicely engineered. Large, easy-to-access buttons on the wheel of the AMG GLE 53 allow the driver to quickly make decisions about the drive mode, exhaust options and some performance characteristics.

Everything in the cabin is very touchable and worthy of its luxury status. Only the vent design across the dashboard stands out as lacking imagination. Across the board, the interior is well designed and makes a statement that's unmistakably on brand for Mercedes-Benz.

It's connected to two 12.3-inch displays, one packed with digital information for the driver and the other providing a full menu for the vehicle in the center. Wireless smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now available in the GLE, and connecting a device is a seamless operation.

In AMG models, augmented reality navigation is standard, as is a surround-view system with what Mercedes-Benz calls its new "transparent hood" feature. Software stitches all of the 360-degree camera angles together to create a virtual view of the wheels and steering position, which comes in handy when traveling across terrain that isn't perfectly smooth.

The updated "Hey, Mercedes" voice assistant is quite attentive and has the ability to follow commands in conversational language like "Hey, Mercedes ... I'm cold" and it will respond by warming up the cabin. But we did notice during our test drive that it was a bit too in tune, and if we used the word "Mercedes" at all in conversation, the system would pipe up eagerly and demand a command.