The Mercedes GLE is one of the best luxury SUVs on sale today. It brings the heat with a top-notch interior, exceptional build quality, helpful technology features and a diverse lineup of engines. This is a luxury SUV that quietly executes its job with ease.Read full review
Josh Jacquot is a seasoned automotive journalist with a career spanning more than two decades. His passion for cars has been the driving force behind his career, fueling his love for storytelling and technical work. Josh has held staff positions at Edmunds and Car and Driver, where he performed instrumented testing and wrote everything from technical breakdowns to long-form adventure stories. This hands-on enthusiast's early fascination with cars evolved into a professional journey that blends his technical knowledge and deep appreciation for engaging driver's cars.
Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining Edmunds as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.
Pros
Well-appointed and quiet interior
Wide range of powertrains deliver both power and efficiency
Helpful voice command system
Plenty of standard and optional features
Cons
Steering wheel controls can be clumsy to operate
Optional third row is cramped
Options quickly drive the price up
What's new
No major updates for 2025
Part of the second GLE generation introduced for 2020
Overview
The 2025 GLE is Mercedes' midsize SUV, slotting into the range below the three-row GLS and above the two-row GLC. It comes standard with two rows of seats and a third row is optional on most trims, though it's compact enough to only be useful for smaller people. The GLE, including the AMG variants, is offered in six different outputs suited to nearly any taste. There's even a plug-in hybrid. The base trim is the only variant that comes in a rear-wheel-drive version. After a significant revision for 2024, Mercedes made only minor changes to the GLE lineup for 2025.
The GLE-Class will automatically switch to gas when the electric battery is low.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Gainesville, Georgia. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
240V Home ChargingEstimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.
EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.
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Cost to Drive
$137/mo
GLE-Class
vs
$216/mo
SUV Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Georgia
Am I Ready for a Plug-In Hybrid?
EV ownership works best if you can charge at home (240V outlet) This typically means a 240V home installation, or other places your car is parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice.
Adding a home charging system is estimated to cost $1,616 in This is an estimate for your area. Using your address and the answers you provide, Treehouse can provide a more accurate price.
Edmunds is partnering with Treehouse, an independent provider of home EV installation services. Learn moreEdmunds customers receive a 10% installation discount and 4% smart charger discount. Discount excludes permit, hosted inspection, and load management devices. Valid for 30 days.
From its modest 350 base trim to the completely uncorked AMG 63 S, Mercedes ensures that the GLE lineup has a product to align with every budget and personality. Power output ranges from a benign 255-horsepower four-cylinder to 603 horsepower from the AMG 63 S's turbocharged V8. There's even a plug-in hybrid, the GLE 450e, that offers 381 combined horsepower and nearly 60 miles of all-electric range to help you reduce your gas consumption. Oh, and if you want a turbo V8 but aren't interested in any AMG shenanigans, there's the 510-horsepower GLE 580. That's some range, people. Don't say the GLE doesn't offer what you want.
Competitors to consider
The BMW X5 is a top alternative to the GLE. Like the Mercedes, it provides similar levels of luxury and technology and also a wide range of versions. You might also want to check out the Genesis GV80 for its value or the Porsche Cayenne if performance is a priority. The Audi Q8 is another good option. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below to help you decide.
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
8.3
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Mercedes GLE is one of the best luxury SUVs on sale today. It brings the heat with a top-notch interior, exceptional build quality, helpful technology features and a diverse lineup of engines. This is a luxury SUV that quietly executes its job with ease.
How does the GLE-Class drive? We tested the GLE 450e, which has the plug-in hybrid powertrain. Overall, we're impressed by how easy it is to drive. With a charged battery, the SUV stays in electric mode unless you need all of its power at once, and when the engine kicks in it does so gracefully. At the Edmunds test track, our test vehicle accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 5.7 seconds.
The steering feel is ultra-light. That's great for twirling around parking lots but not so great for giving you a feel for the road. Our GLE 450e also felt less stable and planted around turns compared to other versions of the GLE we've tested; the vehicle's extra mass from its plug-in hybrid components is likely to blame. But overall the GLE is a winner for city commutes and highway driving alike.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the GLE-Class? Interior comfort is a top reason to buy a Mercedes GLE. Our test vehicle came loaded with features such as rapid seat heating, seat ventilation and massage. Those add-ons, alongside the excellent climate control system, provide a truly relaxing experience. The optional brown leather and natural wood trim look nice but we actually prefer the feel of Mercedes' synthetic leather MB-Tex.
We also recommend skipping the adaptive air suspension. We've tested it on GLE models in the past and found it too floaty for everyday use. This GLE's standard suspension works just fine for riding comfortably while keeping the SUV in control.
Interior
9/10
How’s the interior? This is what a luxury SUV's interior should look like. The GLE's cabin is elegant and built with high-quality materials. The GLE's cabin is very spacious. There's plenty of room in both rows. The GLE does sit relatively high off the ground (especially on these 21-inch wheels), so speccing the running boards is a good idea for the shorter friends among us. The visibility from the driver's seat feels commanding, with plenty of seat adjustability to find the right angle.
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 and get an input that you didn't want.
Save as much as $2,982 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $2,982 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the GLE 450e trim.
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Plug-in Hybrid pricing in Gainesville, GA
How’s the tech? The GLE's touchscreen is bright and colorful, with high resolution and impressive response times. The menus can become confusing if you dig in too far, but the main features are just a press or two away. The available 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.
Rivals like Cadillac and BMW now offer hands-free driving assist features. The GLE doesn't yet offer such a system, but otherwise the vehicle's driving aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping work well and are unobtrusive in routine driving.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? In some plug-in hybrids, storage takes a hit because of the battery pack intruding on cargo capacity. But that is not a worry with the GLE 450e. This Mercedes does have slightly less room than its gas-only counterpart but is still outstanding. It's also better than the majority of the competition. And considering how big the battery pack is, the packaging is even more impressive. The second row has a 60/40 split to help with longer items too. Storage for smaller personal items is plentiful.
Got small children? The back seat has easy-to-access car seat anchors, and there's plenty of room for even the bulkiest child safety seats. The GLE will also work out well if you plan to tow a trailer. Properly equipped, it's rated to tow up to 7,700 pounds, which is enough to handle most small or midsize trailers.
How’s the fuel economy? Fuel economy will vary widely depending on the version you pick. We tested the GLE 450e, which is the most frugal of the bunch. It's a plug-in hybrid, and we were able to drive it about 59 miles on a full battery before it switched over to typical hybrid operation. That's above average for a plug-in SUV. Once the battery was flat, our GLE posted 28 mpg in combined driving, which is still very good. As an added bonus the GLE 450e has the ability to use DC fast charging, giving it a nice edge over its plug-in hybrid rivals.
Value
8/10
Is the GLE-Class a good value? The GLE can get expensive when you load it up with a lot of options, but overall we think you're getting your money's worth. Build quality on our test GLE was excellent. If there is an unimpressive aspect to the GLE, it's the warranty coverage. The powertrain and bumper-to-bumper warranties are fairly standard four-year/50,000-mile offerings, but nearly every competitor offers more in the way of roadside assistance and corrosion protection coverage by some margin.
Wildcard
8/10
Non-AMG versions of the Mercedes-Benz GLE offer the quintessential luxury SUV experience. They might not have the most over-the-top styling or personality, but they tick every box they otherwise need to.
Which GLE-Class does Edmunds recommend?
You might have a hard time picking a GLE because there are so many versions. But you won't go wrong with the GLE 450. The extra power from its six-cylinder engine is more fitting for a midsize luxury SUV than the GLE 350's. The optional Driver Assistance package is also a near must-have.
The plug in hybrid experience has been interesting. Love the quiet start. Then with a flip of a switch I can have the gas engine on standby in case full power required. Been to 2 charging stations. Go from 15% (5 mile range) to 100% (54 mile range) in 25 minutes. Looking forward to trying overnight trickle charging in my garage. Haven’t used any gas in first 100 miles and charging … stations were about $25.
Online or PDF hyperlinked owners manual has >1000 pages, indicating sophisticated electronics. Can be quite distracting for the driver, though I look forward to a busy railroad crossing to learn and use.
I leased my vehicle as MB is giving the max rebate ($7500). This was my 1st time leasing, and I recommend Edmunds write up of pros and cons of leasing. Also did a “single payment lease” and purchased maintenance coverage.
Looking forward to my 2 years with a plug in hybrid MB.
Update- Returned from road trip to south FL. Highway driving mostly gas powered. Electric driving around town very nice. Very comfortable road trip. Pleasure to drive. No problems.
BUT,
The 450e rides very high. My wife needed a small step stool to enter easily. The running board appears mostly cosmetic as it’s quite narrow.
I hope MB will put this hybrid engine in the station wagon. I would definitely try it.
Vehicle rides great, love the plug in hybrid option but it’s been in and out of the shop with under 4000k due to “poor performance.” A ticket was created with Mercedes and the parts will not be available for months.. I was told it was still safe to drive but then completely broke down after being in the shop for the last month. I love my car but I wish I would’ve waited to purchase it … until next year.
Love everything between the real Napa leather 2 tone black and white and the handling is great . Doors are solid and air tight a little getting use to closing them since it’s a Mercedes lol
These Are the Best Luxury SUVs You Can Buy in 2024
NOTE: This video is about the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, but since the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.
Got a taste (and a budget) for the finer things in life? A luxury SUV might be right up your alley, and there are a whole lot to choose from. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of all the best. In this video, Edmunds’ Nick Yekikian tells you all about the best luxury SUVs on sale in 2024 and why we love them.
60 MPGeMPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 GLE-Class both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.3 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the GLE-Class has 33.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class:
No major updates for 2025
Part of the second GLE generation introduced for 2020
To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the GLE-Class. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the GLE-Class's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 GLE-Class and gave it a 8.3 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 GLE-Class is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
The least-expensive 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 450e 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $71,350.
Other versions include:
GLE 450e 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 9A) which starts at $71,350
What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, the next question is, which GLE-Class model is right for you? GLE-Class variants include GLE 450e 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo gas/electric plug-in hybrid 9A). For a full list of GLE-Class models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Related 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Plug-in Hybrid info
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