Can the facelift improve on the GLE? Lets Find Out
Exterior – Front
So, to start with the Mercedes GLE was never the best looker, it was always boxier like the G Class but also smooth like the GLC. For me it didn’t really work. This carries on with the facelift. We get this new design on the headlight that has this square look to them. this is emphasised by the 2 led light spots shaped in a square. We also get the new usual big Mercedes grill with the Mercedes star mesh pattern but lower down we get a new central air vent and side vents that mimic the new AMG models. It shouldn’t work on paper, and it didn’t on the pre facelift but on this new facelift model it looks good in some angles.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side we haven’t got any changes apart from some new colour and wheel options which suit this car quite well. We also get a new puddle light animation with the Mercedes Stars logo.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back and there are some less obvious changes. To start with the bumper is the same as the previous GLE. What has changed though is the taillights. They have a new graphic in them mimicking other new Mercedes models. Let’s have a look at the engine options you can have with the new Mercedes GLE Facelift.
Car and engine specs and price
So, with the Mercedes GLE you can pick from either diesel, petrol or plug in hybrid. The diesel range kicks off with the GLE 300d. this uses a 2.0 litre diesel mild hybrid unit. Yes, all new diesel and petrol engines have hybrid technology with them adding on average 19 bhp to the engines. This model has 268 bhp plus the 19 from the mild hybrid technology. 0-62 is delt within 6.9 seconds and power is sent to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Next up is the GLE 450d. this uses a 3-litre engine with 366 bhp and 19 bhp on top of that. 0-62 is delt within 5.6 seconds and again power goes to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic. For the petrol engine range, you can only have the GLE 450. This uses a 3 litre straight 6 engines with 380 bhp plus 19 bhp with hybrid assistance. 0-62 is delt within 5.6 seconds and power is sent to all four wheels through the same 9 speed auto gearbox. Finally for the plug-in hybrid model you can have the GLE 400e. this uses a 2-litre engine producing 251 bhp and a electric motor producing 135 bhp. This gives a total power output of 380 bhp with a 0-62 time of 6.1 seconds. The electric only range is 54 miles but in the real world expect it to do about 30 to 45 on a good day. The price of the new Mercedes GLE Facelift starts at £77,985.
Interior – Design
So, getting inside the new Mercedes GLE, we do get some updates and if you have watched my A Class and B Class review then you will know what those changes are as they are the same as those cars. The changes include a new set of steering wheels with the touch sensitive buttons. You also get the next generation MBUX 2.0 system taken from the S Class, C Class, B Class and A, Class. Strangely though unlike the A Class and B Class facelift we get a touch pad. They removed it from those cars, and I couldn’t understand why especially when this car has it. Personally, I like to control the infotainment system through the touch pad over touching the screen as everything is easier to reach. The best systems are the BMW iDrive and the Mazda selector knob for that. Apart from those changes everything else has been kept mostly the same apart from some new materials on the dashboard and seats. We also get some nice ambient lighting too and grab handles. Let’s have a look at the rear seats.
Practicality
So, getting into the back and you are welcomed with a decent amount of legroom and headroom. The bench though is quite short so if you have long legs they will hang over. It is also heavily slanted, so it is not as comfy as a BMW for example. You do get more premium materials in the back though as well as USB C ports. Let’s check the boot out.
Boot Size
So, opening the boot of the Mercedes GLE and you will be welcomed with either 630 litres of space with the rear bench all the way back or if you move it all the way forward you will be welcomed with 825 litres of space. Fold the seats down and you will be welcomed with 2,055 litres of space.
Summary
So, what do I think of the new Mercedes GLE then? Well, it has become a better car with better looks. There was nothing wrong with it in the first place but there were some niggles which have been smoothed out. Can it be improved? Yes, it can be improved for the next generation. Now it feels like the GLE is stuck between a transformation. It feels like the pre facelift model, but it has the next generation technology from the better newer Mercedes cars that feel more premium and different from the GLE’s generation of Mercedes. If the GLE was brought out as a new generation I would imagine it would be curvier, sportier and have the same interior as the new E Class.
Exterior 3/5
Interior 4/5
Practicality 4/5
Total 11/15
Model | Mercedes GLE 400e 4MATIC AMG Line Premium |
Engine | 2.0l Turbo Petrol Plug in Hybrid 4 Cylinder, 380 bhp, 35 mile electric range, 4 Wheel Drive |
Trnasmission | Automatic 9 Speed |
Price | £87,505 |
On Sale | Now |
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