Bigger and better plus luxury
M-B’s SUV now rivals its traditional sedans for cabin comfort and technology, writes
Don’t be fooled by the exquisite styling proportions of the new Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV: step up into it and you suddenly find everything’s about 20 per cent larger than you expected.
It is a big vehicle but that is OK. A lot of it is about 20 per cent more impressive than you might have been expecting as well. Know what you mean: M-B has embraced the SUV revolution with a dizzying array of options. The brand offers five distinct SUV lines, or more if you want to start counting inter-model variations on the theme.
The GLE is significant for many reasons. It is the latest incarnation of the brand’s original SUV, the MLclass of 1998; its footprint is indeed nearly 20 per cent larger than that model, depending on how you measure it.
It is also the newest thing in the M-B range, which makes it the most hi-tech model the company offers.
It is small beginnings for the range: our 300d four-cylinder is the entry point, with the six-cylinder 400d above it. That is it for now but expect a bigger lineup to come, including the obligatory go-fast Mercedes-AMG versions. You bet. Diesel power is still the logical choice for an SUV of this size.
Despite what the number on the tailgate might imply, the 300d has a small engine: it is a 2.0-litre four but makes impressive numbers. Lots of gearbox ratios to keep it working as well: nine, driving all four wheels.
For all that, the 300d is still far from the automatic choice. It provides great performance on paper but you are always aware that it is working hard and it feels a bit thin
The GLE is not an especially sporting SUV, although that might change when we start to see the AMG-enhanced versions.
In standard form, there is plenty of grip (especially on our test car’s optional 21-inch wheels and fat rubber) but the steering and chassis both remove the driver from the road somewhat.
There is also quite a bit of body roll in quick corners, although that may be opportunity cost for an impressive ride – at least on the larger undulations. The suspension can still react sharply to smaller imperfections (secondary ride).
You can sharpen up the 300d with any number of chassis options.
There is Airmatic suspension ($3400) for a start, and once you have got that on board you can also go for E-Active Body Control ($13,000), which includes a curve-tilting function (like a motorcycle) and road-surface scan that prepares the suspension for the tarmac ahead.
Yes, they have thought of everything. But it is clear that in standard form, the GLE is very much about luxury.
So prepare to be amazed by the cabin. The GLE gets the twin-screen (but it is supposed to look like just one) MBUX dashboard from the A-class but it looks and feels even more dazzling at this scale.
The GLE has every conceivable piece of driver-assistance technology, including a function called Active Stop and Go Assist that gives extra automation at low speed.