The Mercedes-Benz GLE and its sporty offshoot the GLE Coupé are suitable both for family and leisure time as well as for long trips and transporting loads. 4MATIC, which is standard in Europe, ensures you’ll get through even with poor traction or off-road terrain with slopes up to 100%. The towing load of up to 3.5 tons can pull a horse trailer, a valuable vintage car or a larger caravan.
Mercedes-Benz has now updated the exterior, interior, technology and equipment of the model launched in 2018. The updated model will be available at European dealerships from July 2023. The engine range is now fully electrified. It includes mild hybrids with a 48-volt system and integrated starter generator (ISG) as well as fourth-generation plug-in hybrids. Most models are now more powerful than previous versions. The biggest is the GLE 400 e 4MATIC with an increase of 30 kW.
Most GLE drivers only drive on paved roads or easy to moderately difficult off-road terrain. So Mercedes-Benz has reprogrammed the range of the Off-Road Engineering package to be able to offer it for the GLE’s combustion-only variant at a much lower price. The package includes underrun protection and, in combination with the AIRMATIC air suspension (optional), increases ground clearance by 30 mm.
“Off-Road Mode” in the current MBUX generation translates special content such as slope, roll angle, compass and steering angle into a visual experience. Combined with the optional Parking Package with 360° camera, it offers a “see-through hood” feature. When off-road mode is active, the center display shows a virtual view of the underside of the front of the vehicle, including the front wheels and their steering position. The view consists of images from a 360° camera. The “transparent bonnet” is very useful: it enables the driver to better recognize obstacles in his/her path, such as large rocks or deep potholes. This feature is also advantageous when driving over slopes or hilltops.
The GLE is even more capable: All-wheel drive and transmission ratios designed for towing enable a high towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes and a towing weight of up to 140 kilograms. The all-electric trailer hitch is particularly convenient: Via a button on the tailgate or a panel on the center display, at the touch of a button, the ball neck, together with the trailer electrical socket, swings out from under the car and automatically secures in the operating position. After use, it retracts equally effortlessly into its resting position behind the bumper. There is also a special feature for those who don’t use the coupling to tow a trailer but carry a bike: the trailer coupling has two extra bolts on the ball neck to securely carry a suitable bike rack.
New for the GLE and GLE Coupé is the navigation system’s trailer route planner: on the center display, occupants can plan a route suitable for driving with a previously defined trailer and without involving extensive diversions or wasting time. Among other things, the width and height of the route and weight restrictions are taken into account. This message will appear automatically once the trailer is electrically connected to the vehicle. Customers can choose between bike racks and two trailer sizes. They can also set the speed – in Germany, for example, 80 or 100 km/h. The trailer route planner takes this information into account. Particularly convenient: Traffic Sign Assist only displays the speed permitted for the car/trailer combination.
With the second-generation MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system, the GLE and GLE Coupé are now also updated. The interior of the vehicle is becoming more digital and intelligent, as both hardware and software have made great strides: many vehicle and comfort functions can be controlled on LCD screens, which display them brilliantly. The dimensions of the driver and center displays have been retained, measuring 12.3 inches each. The central display can be operated directly and conveniently as a touchscreen. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are now available wirelessly.
The driver and center display provide an overall aesthetic experience. They present information in a structured and well-defined manner. There are three display styles (Classic, Sport, Low Profile) and four modes (Nav, Assist, Service, Off-Road) to personalize the look.
