The GLE-Class can do it all. There’s no slouch here, and no model rides poorly—unless you opt for the glamorous 22-inch wheels available on AMGs, that is. Stick with a standard GLE, though, and these models easily earn a 7 out of 10.
All but base models have a high-response all-wheel-drive system that hustles power to wheel(s) without traction, too.
How fast is the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
No slowpoke wears the GLE badge.
Base GLE 350s use a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at 255 hp, which is good for about a 7.0-second 0-60 mph run. GLE 450 models swap in a 3.0-liter turbo-6 with mild-hybrid tech that helps alleviate any hint of lag. They zip to 60 in 5.5 seconds, easily earning their $6,200 upcharge.
Faster but notably pricier is the GLE 580’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, which is good for 483 hp and a 4.9-second run to 60 mph.
All versions use a wonderful 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
Mercedes’ in-house AMG tuning division whipped up two flavors of GLE: the 429-hp GLE 53 with its amped-up version of the GLE 450’s engine or the full-bore GLE 63 with 603 hp from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that is physically built in an AMG facility. The faster of the two is good for a blistering 3.7-second run to 60 mph.
Properly equipped, GLE 450 and GLE 580 models can lug up to 7,700 pounds of trailer, too.
Ride quality is the GLE’s hallmark; optional air springs fitted to higher-end models are even better, especially should you be tempted by their biggest wheels. For $1,710 on a GLE 450, the package containing air springs and adaptive dampers is worth the money.
AMG models can be firm; a recent GLE 63 tester with 22-inch wheels was downright stiff, with lots of lateral head-tossing motion as a result. But AMGs also have an active roll stabilization system that helps counteract lean with downright uncanny response. No SUV this big or heavy should handle this well.
