Mercedes-Benz GLE 2026 review: 450d

Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?

6 / 10

It’s not a strong start for the GLE. Our top-spec (non-AMG) GLE 450d 4Matic variant starts from $154,900, before on-road costs, while our test car has $3800 of option boxes ticked.

So, $158,700 before on-roads as-tested, the GLE is this borderline prohibitively expensive for what it offers.

If the car you’re after must be diesel, the options are still many in terms of rivals… especially if you’d like to save a few dollars.

Moving on from the big Mazdas and VW Touaregs to the proper premium badges, and there’s the $136,815 Audi Q7 50 TDI (if we exclude the $120,530 base Q7 TDI) or the BMW X5 30d for $138,600. Even a Range Rover Sport D300 comes in under the GLE at $159,481.

For a seven-ish year old luxury SUV, the GLE does a decent job of hiding its age in some ways, but there are gaps.

The twin 12.3-inch screens for multimedia and driver display have aged well, plus there’s electrically adjustable leather front seats with heating, though the leather in our new test car needs some softening up. Perhaps over time.

The new steering wheel comes thanks to newer models in Merc’s line-up, though haptic controls can be accidentally bumped (as opposed to buttons).

Wireless phone charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a head-up display, a huge sunroof, LED interior lighting, adaptive high beam headlights, a power tailgate and surround-view parking cameras are all standard.

Optionally, there’s a set of 21-inch wheels as pictured on our test car. They’re $2400 and you’d probably be better off with standard 20-inch wheels for the extra comfort.

The illuminated running boards are a $1400 option, and they’re also probably not necessary. But I’m not your mum, go for it if you want.

Oh, and you can also have the GLE in seven-seat form, but our test car is a luxuriously spacious five-seater.

Design – Is there anything interesting about its design?

8 / 10

The GLE hasn’t changed massively since 2019, but sleeker lights and some tweaks around the face have helped it age relatively gracefully. As much as a 2.4-tonne SUV can be graceful.

There are still references to the original ML-Class the GLE succeeded, like the ‘coupe’ shape of the C-pillar that betrays the true SUV shape of the GLE.

The reshaped front-end has less black plastic on show, and its grille stays true to the pre-facelift design.

Inside, it’s just the steering wheel that’s new, everything else holds up well in terms of a design that’s also practical, though some would say it looks outdated given the many physical controls.

Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside?

8 / 10

The GLE is very easy to use because of those physical controls.

Save for the trackpad in the centre console that can be used like a laptop’s control mat - it’s a little fiddly - everything is easy to locate and adjust and the controls feel nice. The switches along the climate control row all feel nice and clicky, buttons in the centre console are big and obvious, and even the steering wheel’s haptic buttons are laid out sensibly.

The touchscreen’s software has been updated since launch during the facelift and it’s easy to navigate, but wireless Android Auto or Apple CarPlay are a good workaround.

The front seats, as well as being comfortable, are adjustable to an impressive degree for finding your driving position and there’s plenty of room and light to make the cockpit feel airy.

Storage isn’t at a premium, there’s plenty of space in door cards, the central storage bin, and the cupholders and phone charger can be hidden away.

Behind the front row, rear seat space is ample, though if you opt for seven seats the second row can be moved to accommodate a third row of passengers when needed.

In our test car, that isn’t the case, so the GLE’s cavernous 630 litres of boot storage is available. The second row can split 40/20/40, which is convenient for loading long items while four passengers are present.

Oh, but under the boot floor, despite some extra room for bits and pieces, no spare tyre. Big marks down for a car that absolutely has the space for one.

Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission?

8 / 10

The GLE 450d’s 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel engine is turbocharged, with a healthy 270kW and a brawny 750Nm to its name. That torque peaks all the way from 1350rpm to 2800rpm, by the way. Handy.

A nine-speed automatic transmission sends drive to all four wheels ('4Matic' in Merc-talk), while a 48-volt ‘mild-hybrid' system ('EQ Boost' in Merc-talk) means take-offs and shifts are aided by a bit of electric power.

Mercedes says the GLE can dispatch the 0-100km/h sprint in just 5.6 seconds, and that feels about right.

Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range?

8 / 10

Mercedes claims a 7.4L/100km combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel consumption figure for the big lug, but achieving that and making the most of its large 85-litre tank is a challenge.

We averaged 8.7L/100km on test but the trip computer showed as low as 8.0L/100km at one point. Get the GLE on the highway and fuel use plummets.

Theoretically you should be able to get about 1150km from a single tank, but realistically we wouldn’t plan trips any longer than 900km between fuel stations. 

Still impressive, given that’s about the distance between Melbourne and Sydney, or Sydney and Brisbane. Roughly.

Driving – What's it like to drive?

8 / 10

A trip in the GLE feels like a welcome step back in time. Sure, coming in close to five metres long and two-and-a-half tonnes means it’s not a nimble steer, but the GLE strikes a nice balance of comfort and tactility that’s getting rarer.

None of it feels particularly sharp in terms of inputs or feedback, but it’s easy and predictable to a point where even winding back-roads are effortless to flow through.

The big diesel engine feels almost lazy, but it’s just so effortless in getting things moving as it strives to sit close to idle whenever possible. Because of that, there’s little noise from the engine bay even under reasonable acceleration, and the powertrain is helped by that 48-volt system which makes stop-starts from the lights super-smooth.

The mild-hybrid also helps smooth out power delivery, to the point where the only time the GLE feels clunky is the occasional lag when shifting from Drive to Reverse or vice versa.

The test car’s suspension isn’t the optional airbag set-up, but the non-adaptive steel does fine in terms of comfort and soaking up harsh surfaces. And even the big 21-inch wheels aren’t too bad over sharp bumps.

With smaller wheels (more tyre cushioning) and the air suspension, it feels like the GLE would ride gorgeously.

Its body control is predictable on smooth roads, and if you’re careful you steer the hefty SUV through tight, winding roads easily, but consistently rough surfaces can make the GLE feel unsettled for a short period of time.

There’s an overall softness to it that means gentle off-roading is possible, and the tyres are thick enough to make it comfortable. You won’t find yourself being tossed around on a flat enough gravel road.

Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating?

9 / 10

There’s a lot under the skin in the GLE in terms of safety, and it doesn’t always make itself known. This is a compliment.

The GLE scored a maximum five stars in its ANCAP assessment in 2019, and though the criteria has changed significantly since then, it feels like it should still score well.

The GLE doesn’t intervene unless it needs to, but the ability is there for the big Merc to avoid incidents and employ many means to protect passengers and pedestrians alike.

A warning for the driver and a gentle seatbelt tension comes in before the car slams on the brakes, though if no action is taken before an expected collision the GLE will drop its AEB anchors.

There are nine airbags if it all goes pear-shaped, plus some well-tuned adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist and departure alert, there’s traffic sign recognition with that, too.

Blind spot warnings, front- and rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors and driver monitoring are joined by Mercedes’ plethora of other little safety features that minimise impact and damage in a crash.

Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs?

6 / 10

Servicing isn’t cheap at Mercedes, even in the context of this market segment. A three-year service plan for the GLE costs $4045, while five years is $8055. That’s $1348 or $1611 per service respectively. The later services in those five years will of course be much more expensive and bring the average up.

Intervals are every 12 months or 25,000km, but Mercedes’ five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty means anything major that goes wrong in that time should be covered - always read the fine print.

The brand’s Australian website lists 67 Mercedes-Benz dealers that can service your car.

Verdict