MORE PURPOSE MEETS EXTRA PEWS

Benz’s GLE gets butch styling and a seven-seat option to match rivals

Mercedes broke a few of its own rules with the new GLE. Until now, families who needed a seven-seat Benz SUV had to spend $120,000 on the enormous GLS, equipment levels were tied to how much engine you could afford and customers could expect a reasonably polished ride without shelling out for expensive options.

That’s no longer the case. Bigger than before, the new GLE takes aim at the Audi Q7 with a seven-seat option (for) $3900) for the first time.

Standard kit includes 20-inch wheels, allwheel drive, faux leather with open-pore wood trim and heated front seats.

Regardless of which grade you choose, tech includes twin 12.3-inch digital displays, LED headlights, driving assistance pack, smart keys and 360-degree camera.

That’s great news for people with $99,900 to spend on the entry-level GLE 300d fourcylinder diesel (180kW/550Nm)s, as luxury brands usually reserve premium features for

more expensive models with big motors. Pay another $18,000 for six-cylinder diesel power in the GLE 400d and you’ll get an extra 63kW/ 200Nm but no further safety or convenience.

The same goes for a petrol six-cylinder GLE 450 (270kW/500Nm) for $111,341 plus on-roads.

All three look purposeful thanks to flared guards, enormous wheels and imposing grille. Wide of body and planted of stance, the GLE tempts buyers with its butch appeal.

Inside, the infotainment screens sweep across a dash abutted by prominent grab handles and a convenient touchpad for the infotainment. The set-up looks sensational and is easy to use on the move, even if the “Hey Mercedes” voice-activation is hit-and-miss.

There’s plenty of space in the second row with 70mm of additional legroom thanks to a sliding rear bench. Fully forward, it enables 630L of cargo storage in five-seat mode.

Of course buyers can spend up to customise the GLE to meet their requirements.

The tough-looking $9900 AMG Sport package shown here brings 21-inch wheels, bigger wheel arches, diamond grille and interior niceties such as wireless phone charging and panoramic sunroof.

Leather trim is $3000, 25-speaker Burmester audio costs an eye-watering $9700. Towing capacity is 3500kg and the Benz towbar to handle it is $1900.

Most compelling of the options is the $3400 air suspension package with adaptive dampers.

The standard steel-sprung set-up lags well behind rivals for ride comfort and body control, jiggling unnecessarily over surfaces unlikely to trouble an Audi Q7 or BMW X5.

Time in both of those cars shortly before the Benz launch illustrated how underdone the standard suspension is.

No coincidence, the manufacturer placed much emphasis on E-Active Body Control underpinnings at its Paris motor show debut.

A $13,000 option on the GLE, it scans the road ahead for potholes or bumps, preadjusting the suspension in fractions of a second.

It leans into bends to make passengers more comfortable when cornering, and even jumps up and down on the spot to get out of deep sand. Or to show off in the driveway.

We are keen to try as soon as it is available locally. The same goes for six-cylinder engines likely to feel effortless compared to the hardworking four under the bonnet of the GLE 300d. It doesn’t feel like a motor befitting a Mercedes at this price.

Otherwise polished to drive, with loads of grip, clever driver aids and intuitive nine-speed automatic transmission, the GLE is a fine car with the strongest child safety rating of any car tested by ANCAP.