Subtle excellence is perhaps the best way to sum up the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE. Its opulence inside is matched by superbly executed and intuitive tech paired with something-for-everyone drivertrains. It's well built and nearly unmatched in its mission execution.Read full review
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE is a midsize luxury SUV available in a wide variety of versions. These range from the entry-level GLE 350 to the thundering 603-horsepower AMG GLE 63 S. If Mercedes' GLC is a bit too small and the GLS is too big or too expensive, then the GLE could be perfect for you. Most GLEs offer an optional (but small) third-row seat. There's also a plug-in hybrid trim in the mix, and every GLE but the base trim comes standard with all-wheel drive.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Clint Simone
Excellent
7.9
out of 10
We drove the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.
Driving experience
7.5/10
How does the Mercedes-Benz GLE drive? We tested the plug-in hybrid GLE 450e and were 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, great for twirling around parking lots but lacking in feel. Our GLE 450e also felt less stable and planted around turns than other versions of the GLE we've tested; the extra mass from the plug-in hybrid components is likely to blame. But overall the GLE is a winner for city commutes and highway driving.
We recommend skipping the adaptive air suspension. We've tested it on other GLE models 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. The visibility from the driver's seat feels commanding.
The GLE doesn't yet offer a hands-free driving system like some rivals, but otherwise the vehicle's driving aids such as adaptive cruise control and lane keeping work well and are unobtrusive in routine driving.
Comfort
8.3/10
How comfortable is the Mercedes-Benz GLE? 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' MB-Tex synthetic leather.
The GLE's cabin is very spacious, elegant and built with high-quality materials. 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.
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.
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 small or midsize trailer. Properly equipped, it's rated to tow up to 7,700 pounds.
In-cabin tech
7.9/10
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.
Storage & cargo
9/10
How’s storage and cargo? Storage takes a hit in some plug-in hybrids because the battery pack intrudes 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, and it gives up the third row that optional in some other GLEs. Overall, though, the space 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 configuration to help with longer items too. Storage for smaller personal items is plentiful.
Value
7.2/10
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE 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. The 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 a fairly standard four years/50,000 miles.
MPG
7.1/10
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 very good. As a bonus, the GLE 450e has the ability to use DC fast charging, giving it a nice edge over its plug-in hybrid rivals.
X factor
7/10
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.
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2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE AMG GLE 53 pricing in Ashburn, VA
Buying Tips for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE for May
Here are some buying and negotiating tips for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE:
Edmunds True Market Value is about 5.5% below MSRP for the GLE, saving you around $4,375, but the GLE 350 trim stands out with 7.5% savings off MSRP, saving approximately $4,695.
There are no generally available customer cash rebates for this model.
Qualifying buyers can secure a promotional rate as low as 5.99% for 60 months, which is 1.3% below the market rate of 7.34%. This could save you money over the life of the loan.
With 16,682 new GLEs available, and many trims spending 35 days or more on dealer lots, you may have room to negotiate.
For those considering leasing, the median monthly payment is about $1,158 with $6,158 due at signing.
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2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE trim level differences
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE is a midsize SUV that's available as the GLE 350, GLE 350 4Matic, GLE 450 4Matic, GLE 450e 4Matic, GLE 580 4Matic, AMG GLE 53 4Matic+ and AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+. Every GLE includes standard all-wheel drive (4Matic) except for the GLE 350, which can be had with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The GLE 450e 4Matic is a plug-in hybrid. Seating for five passengers is standard, but an available third-row seat expands capacity to seven passengers on all trims except the GLE 450e 4Matic and the AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+. The related GLE Coupe is reviewed separately on Edmunds. Compare the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE trim levels in-depth.
Which GLE trim does Edmunds recommend?
We think the GLE 450 4Matic is the right choice here. Its additional power feels right in a midsize luxury SUV like this one, and it comes standard with all-wheel drive. It pairs well with the Driver Assistance package, which greatly eases highway driving and stop-and-go traffic.
Competitors to consider
BMW's X5 is the most obvious competitor to the GLE, offering tame base-level versions, ultra-high performance versions, and a plug-in-hybrid variant. We also like the Genesis GV80 because it supplies similar comfort and luxury for less money than the GLE, and it offers a distinctive design. Audi's Q8 won't treat you wrong either. Check out our Expert Rating for all the details.
Edmunds spotlight: The plug-in hybrid exceeds expectations
The last GLE we took to our test track was the plug-in hybrid GLE 450e 4Matic. It's strikingly good at nearly everything. Its 5.7-second 0-to-60 mph time is quick enough for a midsize SUV, especially one with no performance intentions. But it really shines in efficiency, of course. Our test vehicle managed to go 59 miles on electricity alone, which is stunning for a vehicle this big. Then, when it switched to hybrid mode, it produced 28 mpg in combined driving. And it did all this while being one of the most comfortable and luxurious SUVs sold today.
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The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall.
Recalls
1 recall found
Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
Recall Number:
25V864000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
2026010003
Number of vehicles affected:
82
Defect Description:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2025-2026 GLE 350 4MATIC vehicles. The center rear seat belts may have been installed without the child seat protection function and fail to lock a child restraint properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and FMVSS number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Defect Consequence:
In the event of a crash, an insufficiently restrained child has an increased risk of injury.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will replace the center rear seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 19, 2025. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026010003.
The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 GLE both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.9 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the GLE 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. Learn more
What's new in the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE:
No major updates for 2026
Part of the second GLE generation introduced for 2020
To determine whether the Mercedes-Benz GLE is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the GLE. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the GLE's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 GLE and gave it a 7.9 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 GLE is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE?
The least-expensive 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE is the 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE AMG GLE 53 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $90,000.
Other versions include:
AMG GLE 53 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) which starts at $90,000
What are the different models of Mercedes-Benz GLE?
If you're interested in the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the next question is, which GLE model is right for you? GLE variants include AMG GLE 53 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A). For a full list of GLE models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more