2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Review

Name: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Price: 30577 USD

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 350 4MATIC 4dr SUV Exterior

+309

The Mercedes-Benz GLE has been one of the top-rated luxury SUVs on Edmunds. This year, it's been given a full redesign, adding more features, more refinement and greater capabilities. It should come as no surprise that the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE sets a new standard.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Attractive, roomy and upscale cabin
MBUX infotainment system is an industry leader
GLE 450's optional E-Active suspension provides impressive handling stability
Excellent outward visibility

Cons

Options quickly drive the price up
Midgrade Airmatic suspension feels too floaty
Transmission shifts are more pronounced than we'd like

What's new

The GLE has been fully redesigned for 2020
Part of the second GLE generation introduced for 2020

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 350 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$233/mo

$247/mo

Avg. Large SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

In addition to all of the touches that make a Mercedes special, the GLE gets all of the latest and greatest innovations and upgrades. The MBUX infotainment system is standard on all models and has garnered high praise for its ease of use and cutting-edge tech. There are also plenty of available advanced safety features and driver assistants for added security. For 2020, you can add a third row of seats, and even better, all of these items are available on every GLE model.

While most options are available across all powertrains, the only feature you can't get on the GLE 350 and GLE 350 4Matic is the new E-Active Body Control suspension option. If you happen to have a generous budget, it's a game-changer. This suspension leans the vehicle into turns, similar to how a motorcycle does. For passengers, it reduces the sensation of lateral cornering forces, making it feel incredibly sure-footed.

But even if you just get the base GLE 350, this Mercedes SUV will easily satisfy with its modern design, impeccable interior and solid construction. If you're in the market for a midsize luxury SUV, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE should be at the top of your list.

Notably, we picked the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class as one of Edmunds' Best Luxury Cars for this year as well as Edmunds' Top Rated Luxury SUV of 2020. See all of the Top Rated Vehicles on our Best Cars page.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Great

8.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.0/10

How does the GLE-Class drive? Even the base four-cylinder provides sufficient thrust. The GLE 350 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds in our testing, which is an average time for this class of SUV. Braking performance is likewise strong, and the brakes are easy to modulate in everyday driving.

Steering effort is light, but steering is precise, and the GLE stays stable and flat while cornering. The transmission definitely favors economical driving, but shifts are a little harsh for a luxury vehicle, even with only light throttle application. Overall, the GLE is capable and confident, even if it's not meant to be a sporty option.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the GLE-Class? The GLE's interior is serene and quiet, and the front seats with available massage provide terrific comfort. The rear seats don't slide or recline but remain pleasant for the long haul. Our test vehicle had the optional Acoustic package, and we found it kept exterior sounds well muted. The climate control system is likewise strong. You can just set it and forget it, and the heated and cooled cupholders and the heated armrests are bonuses.

The biggest issue we have is the optional air suspension. There's a floatiness at highway speeds that's a little disconcerting plus a lot of extraneous minor body motions. Bumps are impactful, too. We encourage shoppers to drive vehicles with the air and standard suspension back to back.

Interior

9.0/10

How’s the interior? The GLE's cabin is close to perfect, exhibiting excellent usability and build quality that is second to none. It's also quite roomy, with plenty of leg- and headroom for second-row passengers. The driving position offers a commanding view of the road and plenty of adjustability while keeping controls within easy reach. Visibility is excellent, with clear sightlines all around.

We like the GLE's intuitive touchpad controller. Functions such as track/preset skipping, home and back are right on the pad, and it has useful haptic feedback. But the steering wheel touchpads are too easy to brush inadvertently.

Technology

9.5/10

How’s the tech? Mercedes new MBUX infotainment system sets a new bar for functionality. It's easy to use and robust to the point you can alter just about every car setting through it. The optional Burmester audio system has a surround-sound option that fully envelops the driver in hi-fi lusciousness. You'll want to crank up every song for an immersive experience ... too bad max volume isn't higher.

Another neat feature is the nav system's (optional) augmented reality feature that overlays street names and arrows atop a live front-view video when making turns. For safety, a number of driving aids are standard. Semi-automated driving features are available through the Driver Assistance package. We found the features easy to use, and they helped reduce fatigue in stop-and-go traffic.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? The GLE's sizable cabin is well-designed. Cubbies and compartments abound for stashing drinks and items. The cargo area is large and flat with no wheelwell intrusion. Max cargo room is among the best in the midsize luxury SUV class. And the GLE's max towing capacity, even with the four-cylinder engine, is similarly strong. The back seat has four easy-to-access car seat anchors, and there's plenty of room for even the bulkiest child safety seats.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the GLE 350 4MATIC at 22 mpg combined (19 city/26 highway), which is average for a base-level midsize luxury SUV. Notably, the GLE 450 gives up only 1 mpg combined and for an extra 100 hp.

Value

8.0/10

Is the GLE-Class a good value? You get what you pay for in the GLE, but you will pay quite a lot, with well-optioned models coming in around $70,000. Still, the overall impression of quality is exceptional. The four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is average, but the same coverage for powertrain is less than what most competitors offer.

Wildcard

8.5/10

While the GLE has decent performance chops, it's really the feeling of luxurious quality, in everything from the design to materials to technology features, that sells this SUV. It's far and away the best in class, with several features you won't find in rivals. Pair those with rich, sumptuous materials and you have a cabin second to none. Sure, it's not as sporty to drive as some top competitors, but in most other areas the GLE is setting new benchmarks.

Which GLE-Class does Edmunds recommend?

Most drivers will find the GLE 350's power more than adequate. Considering that almost all options are available for this base model, it gets our recommendation. For those in cold or rainy climates, the GLE 350 4Matic is a sensible upgrade. For shoppers with deeper pockets, the GLE 450 4Matic with the E-Active Body Control suspension is a marvel of technology. We suggest skipping the optional midgrade Airmatic suspension, however, since it makes the vehicle feel far too floaty and disconnected.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class models

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE is available in GLE 350, GLE 350 4Matic, GLE 450 4Matic and GLE 580 4Matic trim levels. They are mostly distinguished by engine choices and all-wheel drive. The GLE has seating for five passengers, or seven if you add the optional third-row seats.

The GLE 350 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (255 horsepower, 273 lb-ft of torque) that is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. Mercedes' all-wheel-drive system is available as the GLE 350 4Matic at additional cost. The GLE 450 4Matic comes standard with all-wheel drive and gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder (362 hp, 369 lb-ft). It also comes with a 48-volt EQ Boost electrical system that adds 21 hp when needed. The GLE 580 4Matic uses a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 (483 hp, 516 lb-ft) as well as the EQ Boost system.

Standard GLE features include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a sunroof, a hands-free liftgate, power-folding mirrors, automatic wipers, keyless ignition and entry, adaptive suspension dampers, an automated parking system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a virtual instrument panel, simulated leather upholstery (MB-Tex), heated front seats, and 40/20/40-split folding rear seats.

On the technology front, you get a 12.3-inch touchscreen, the MBUX infotainment system, a navigation system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, five USB-C ports and HD radio.

Standard advanced safety features include emergency communications, forward collision warning and mitigation, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, a passenger-exit alert system, and a drowsy driver monitoring system.

An optional third row of seats is available and comes with powered second-row seats and two additional USB ports. Other bundled options to look out for include the Premium package (a household power outlet, interior ambient lighting, a 13-speaker Burmester surround-sound system, satellite radio, and a wireless charging pad) and the Driver Assist package (adaptive cruise control, active emergency stop assist, lane keeping assist, active lane change assist, frontal cross-traffic alert, a traffic sign reader, and a low-level automated driving system).

We also like the MBUX Technology package (augmented reality driving directions, a head-up display and additional controls for interior features) and the Energizing package Plus (an air fragrancer, ventilated front seats, and multicontour front seats with massage functions).

Other options include a variety of AMG styling packages, adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, soft-close doors, a panoramic sunroof, a trailer hitch, an air suspension, leather upholstery, sport front seats, heated rear seats, a surround-view parking camera system, additional sound and heat insulation, a wood-trimmed steering wheel, a heated steering wheel, power window shades, and a premium 25-speaker Burmester audio system.

Most of the options are consistent across the four powertrains, though the GLE 580 4Matic comes standard with a few extras. These include 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, the Premium package, the AMG exterior styling package, the 13-speaker Burmester audio system and the air suspension. The GLE 450 4Matic and 580 4Matic are also eligible for the E-Active Body Control suspension that counteracts the vehicle's body roll in turns.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#9 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class from 2008-2022.}

$715/yr

vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.63x/yr

vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

8.2%

vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.

5 (57%)

4 (5%)

3 (19%)

2 (7%)

1 (12%)

3.9

42 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Luxurious, Techy, but a miss in some areas

JT, 12/08/2019

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 350 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

Overall opinion: I would not buy this car again. I purchased the Mercedes GLE 350 in April, and have put about 6000 miles on it. I waited to write this review to ensure I was being fair with my criticism. Pros: It looks great on the outside, and has very nice comfort amenities including ventilated and massaging front seats, and heated and cooled front cupholders. The main selling … point for me was the two large integrated digital touch screens (12.3 inches each) that you use for everything from navigation, to music selection, to personalized setting selections within the car. It is very much like a touch-pad in its abilities, which is the reason I purchased this particular model over others (pre-2020 models did not have the touch capability, and required you to click with a mouse like item on the center console). The technology and sound systems within the car are all top notch with extreme customization. Cons: The built in navigation system, while visually stunning in its detail, is awful. I don't use android auto (for an optioned-out $75k car, you shouldn't have to plug in your phone and use Google Maps) and the navigation routinely grossly over- or underestimates the journey time and best route (if it even finds your location, which about 50% of the time it does not). Also, it often "arrives" at the destination in the middle of a four lane divided highway when your true destination is off a side road in a plaza. If you are used to more detailed explanations from apps like Google maps or Waze, you will not like this navigation system. The Voice Assistant program is frustrating. We have a divided house on this. I hate it, my wife finds it helpful. I think having the activation tied to a word ( 'Mercedes') is nice, but it routinely turns on during conversations in the car (because it mis-hears words that it thinks sound like 'Mercedes', then your conversation is interrupted while you are shouting cancel at the system!). It doesn't have an acceptable level of comprehension, and it is much easier to type the destination in (if you aren't using Google, which you should use instead). I have the voice assistant shut off on my profile. My wife likes it because she often makes hands-free phone calls, can ask it to change the temperature, radio station, etc. The design for storage in the front of the car is terrible. The placement of the wireless charger is too inaccessible to be convenient, so the cupholders are the only real space to put everything you need - phone, drink, keys, hand sanitizer, etc. it is not well designed. The lack of USB plugs is baffling (there are zero) and having to keep the adaptors handy is inconvenient every time you need to charge a device. The lack of running boards. Unless you build the exact car you want prior to purchase, most dealers won't include this as an option for any GLEs on the lot. For my wife who is about 5'4", getting in this car can be challenging. The first few few weeks of owning this car she pulled her groin trying to get in/out of the vehicle at this height, and has even fallen out of the car. The Early Collision Warning system is a great technological addition to the vehicle, but there seems to still be a lot of "kinks" that need worked out. I've had to adjust the sensitivity several times but there is still a high number (5 or 6 instances in 7-8 months) where I'll be sitting at a red light and all the sensors surrounding the vehicle turn red, and the warning sound blares for no reason. There was also a time when I was driving down a highway and the system registered the shadow on the road from an overhead highway sign as a car in front of me and slammed on the brakes. It was quite scary, as there was a car behind me at the time, but thankfully no accident occurred. Obviously driving across shadows is a regular occurrence, so I'm not sure what caused that particular issue, but that's the same problem with the other times with the sensors going off when there is not any obstruction there; we were not able to determine what the causation was. Overall, the car isn't terrible, it just has several irritating features that don't allow you to enjoy driving it, which is very disappointing for a $75k Mercedes. Most of these features you would not notice during a short test drive.

Flaws everyday

Gus, 07/12/2021

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 450 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A)

I had a GLE450 for 2 years and it spent almost 4 months in the shop for different repairs. Computer and electronics are awful and MB technicians couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Most unreliable cat ever. Left me in the middle of the street several times. One time I couldn’t turn it off. Many others I couldn’t turn it on. It was a real pain. I lost 20k when I finally got rid of it.

I wouldnt buy this car again.

Scqombothi, 11/21/2019

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 350 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

The day I picked up my car I got a service to return for service. I had to drop my new GLE back to fix it. A couple of weeks later the rear windshield wiper came off. A month or so later I got a recall. The wires in the engine had been wound too tight. I had to take my car back for 24 hours to fix. Today I got another recall. Apparently the trim on the back windows can come off …

A pricey new entry in a crowded up-scale SUV field

Confidential, 02/10/2020

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 350 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A)

Nice new styling and great digital technology. But vinyl seats on an upscale vehicle? (Suddenly, a $65k car becomes a $75K car.) The base engine is a bit piggy for this beefy vehicle. The dealer advertised a misleading, low price and would not honor the ad. Experience from 2 separate dealers: they are somewhat snooty. I bought a nicely-equipped Audi Q7 at a much lower price.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class videos

The Best SUVs for 2020 & 2021 — The Top-Rated Small, Midsize, Large, Luxury SUVs and Crossovers

SUVs are the most popular vehicles on the road today, and they come in all shapes and sizes. In this video, Carlos Lago breaks down the best SUVs for 2020 and 2021. With so many models to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming trying to find the perfect SUV for you and your…

2020 GLE-Class Highlights

Trim:

GLE 350

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$53,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$233/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the GLE-Class models:

Active Brake Assist: Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time.
Blind-Spot Assist: Warns if a vehicle is lurking in the blind spot and alerts passengers to approaching cars or cyclists before they open their door.
Active Steering Assist: Helps to keep the vehicle centered in its lane, even on curves.

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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Review

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 350 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which GLE-Class does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Luxurious, Techy, but a miss in some areas

Flaws everyday

I wouldnt buy this car again.

A pricey new entry in a crowded up-scale SUV field

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class videos

The Best SUVs for 2020 & 2021 — The Top-Rated Small, Midsize, Large, Luxury SUVs and Crossovers

2020 GLE-Class Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 350 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}