Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

While the exterior of the Mercedes-Benz GLE faces a number of mild changes to uplift its appeal, the interior cabin has seen a complete overhaul. For the first time, the GLE has been given a seven-seater layout, which does make it look larger on the inside than before.

The dashboard of the Mercedes Benz GLE is all-new and seeks inspiration from all the modern offerings, the biggest highlight of which is the presence of two 12.3-inch screens side by side. While the right screen displays instrument console with audio and navigation inputs, the left one displays aspects of the infotainment system. These screens together form the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), which do house a number of systems like Android Auto and Apple Carplay as well as voice command acceptance for various functions related to navigation, phone calls, music system, climate control, and ambient lighting.

Apart from these screens, the steering wheel, as well as dashboard with rectangular AC vents too, are all new units. Also, with a longer wheelbase than the previous-generation model, the space inside the cabin too has seen an increase, as a result of which it gets an extra third row of seats.

Mercedes-Benz has graciously retained the original exterior silhouette of the GLE while making it look much more contemporary and falling in the company’s family lineage. The midsize SUV now looks a bit curvier than before, which makes it look one of the sleekest looking SUV in its category.

At the front, the grille, which houses the chrome logo of Mercedes Benz, is now shaped in hexagonal fashion, which adds some muscularity to the front fascia. The headlamps too look inspired from the current crop of sedans from Mercedes Benz, with an all-LED setup and double wedge-shaped daytime running LEDs.

The side profile of the new Mercedes-Benz GLE looks much similar to that of its previous generation model, with very mild changes to the character lines and alloy wheel design. At the rear, just like at the front, the tweaking of tail lamps, which now look sleeker, and slightly rounded design does make it look very flashy, yet not loud.

What gives the Mercedes-Benz the typical SUV flavour is the presence of big roof rails, side body cladding and silver skid plates at both the front as well as rear.

The biggest highlight of the Mercedes-Benz GLE which makes it a supremely comfortable SUV is the presence of E-Active Body Control, an electronically operated hydropneumatic suspension system. It allows each wheel to move independently by using electronically adjustable dampers and air springs. Also, despite being a seven-seater SUV, the GLE seats all the seven passengers very comfortably, and that too while offering a decent boot space as well.

Unlike in many international markets, the Philippine-spec model of the Mercedes-Benz GLE misses out on petrol engine options. Instead, it is being offered here with only one diesel engine option – a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine, which pumps out 245 PS of maximum power and 500 Nm of maximum torque.

Coupled to a 9-speed automatic gearbox, which is also the only gearbox option available, the engine also features EQ boost function, which increases power output at the time of instant acceleration, by using energy stored by braking and engine shut offs.

Apart from all the segment norms which include airbags and all the brake-related standard safety features, the Mercedes-Benz GLE also is equipped with Blind Spot Monitoring, advanced 360-degree camera, and various other intelligent driving aids.

With this new version, Mercedes-Benz has only lifted up the benchmark which it created with the previous generation GLE. Not only the new GLE looks and feels bigger, but it also is much more luxurious, spacious, efficient and generously equipped, thus making it a perfect upgrade.