About to surpass 1.6 million units sold since the first generation arrived in 1997, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class->ke2901 is one of the most successful premium SUVs->ke145 in the world. Launched in 2011, the third-generation M-Class introduced a number of innovations compared to its two predecessors, most of them regarding active safety, comfort features and improved fuel economy. Almost four years later, the mid-size SUV has received a thorough mid-cycle facelift that also incorporates a name-change, to align the model with the latest Mercedes-Benz->ke187 nomenclature.

The German carmaker has recently rearranged its lineup naming scheme, with almost all its SUVs designations to include the "GL" moniker, followed by a letter that facilitates each model's orientation in the lineup. The only SUV excluded from the renaming decision is the venerable G-Class.->ke1712 With that in mind, the M-Class has now become the GLE-Class,->ke4971 so let's see if the mid-life refresh and name-change have resulted in a better model.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE.

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 302 @ 6500
  • Torque: 273 @ 3500
  • Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Unlike mid-cycle facelifts operated on its predecessors, the new GLE-Class has gone through a substantial exterior redesign, especially when talking about the model's front end. In order to align the car to the same design language as other Mercedes-Benz models, the GLE-Class features a front fascia that is quasi-identical to the one from the GLE Coupe, which is no surprise considering they share the same platform. Depending on trim level, the SUV can have two different engine grilles and three different bumpers, although one of each is reserved for the two AMG versions.

Apart from newly designed wheels, the side looks identical to the non-facelift M-Class, including the character line that ends on the rear door or the distinctive C-pillar that has been part of the M-Class family since 1997. Compared to the front fascia, which has completely new headlights, bumper(s), grille(s), hood and wings, the GLE's rear end is less flamboyant in terms of novelties. The taillights have the exact shape as the model's predecessor, but they feature redesigned LED strips for an improved look. Also, the ornaments surrounding the tailpipes are new, as is the shape of the chrome underride guard.

Exterior Dimensions

Length

190 Inches

Width

76 Inches

Height

72 Inches

Wheelbase

121 Inches


Interior

As with some of the exterior, the cabin is mostly a copy-paste job from the previously unveiled GLE Coupe. The overall atmosphere has been taken up a notch, with the upgraded materials making for a more upscale look and feel. A much larger and tablet-like center display stands out on the center console, flanked by slightly larger air vents that somewhat hark to a Porsche Cayenne's center console from some perspectives. Speaking of center consoles, the one in the GLE-Class has received a new touchpad controller that can be used in connection with the regular controller for the Comand infotainment system.

The redesigned interior also gets two new steering wheel designs, one of which is reserved for the AMG versions, while new material colors contribute to the more upscale atmosphere. Buyers can choose between ginger beige, espresso brown, saddle brown or porcelain for the leather upholstery, while trim elements are available in aluminum, black piano laquer or a wide array of wood: open-pore brown ash wood or shiny brown eucalyptus, black poplar or brown burred walnut, while an AMG carbon-fiber trim is also on the options list.

Drivetrain

The GLE-Class can be had with a wider array of engines than its predecessor, including a sequentially-turbocharged, 2.1-liter, four-cylinder diesel that delivers 201 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Mercedes-Benz reckons that the GLE equipped with this engine is the "world's first production full-size SUV with conventional drive that under the European cycle emits just 140 g of CO2/km," which translates into a combined fuel economy of 44 mpg. Further up the diesel ladder, the GLE can also be equipped with a turbocharged V-6 that outputs 258 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, although it will probably not be available in the U.S.

On the gasoline front, the least powerful model gets a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6 that outputs 329 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque in the GLE 400. The GLE 500 (formerly ML550 in the U.S.) may not arrive in the States, but across the pond it delivers 435 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque from a twin-turbocharged, 4.7-liter, V-8. Instead of a regular 550 model, America gets a GLE 550 e plug-in hybrid model that is also available elsewhere. Similar to the S500 Plug-in Hybrid, the GLE 550 e is powered by a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter, V-6 that is augmented by an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack with 8.8 kWh of energy content. The system's output is 436 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, and thanks to the externally rechargeable battery it has an electric-only range of 18.6 miles and a combined fuel economy of 71 mpg in the European cycle.

According to the European press release, all GLE's diesel engines are mated with a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission as standard, for the first time also with an optional off-road reduction gear and an inter-axle diff lock. All gasoline engines are getting the tried and true, seven-speed, 7G-Tronic. On the other hand, the press release's U.S. version only mentions the 7G-Tronic across the range, so no nine-speed for America.

Drivetrain Specifications

GLE350 and GLE350 4MATIC (formerly ML350)

GLE400 4MATIC (formerly ML400)

GLE550e 4MATIC

GLE300d 4MATIC (formerly ML250 BlueTEC)

Engine

V6 direct injection

Twin-turbo V6, direct injection

Twin-turbo V6, direct injection, electric motor

4-cylinder in-line diesel engine,

direct injection, turbocharger

Displacement cc

3498

2996

2996

2143

Power

302 HP @ 6,500 RPM

329 HP @ 5,250-6,000 RPM

329 HP @ 5,250-6,000 RPM

201 HP @ 3,800 RPM

Electric motor hp

114

System output

436

Torque

273 LB-FT @ 3,500-5,250 RPM

354 LB-FT @ 1,600-4,000 RPM

354 LB-FT @ 1,600-4,000 RPM

369 LB-FT @ 1,600-1,800 RPM

Electric motor (lb-ft)

251 LB-FT

System torque

479 LB-FT

Acceleration 0-60 mph

7.5 seconds

7.5 seconds

TBD

8.9 seconds


Prices

Starting prices and availability will probably be announced after the 2015 New York Auto Show, where the GLE-Class will make its first public appearance. A MSRP of just under $50,000 for the four-cylinder diesel model and the twin-turbocharged V6 is likely, with the plug-in hybrid to command around $70,000 if my prediction is correct.

Competitors

BMW X5

Unlike the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, which is just a mid-cycle refresh for the M-Class, the current BMW X5 is an all-new model, having been launched at the end of 2013. Still, some critics may say that even though it's new it actually looks like a thorough facelift of the previous generation, especially when viewed from the side. As with previous generations, the current BMW X5 isn't regarded as an SUV, but an SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle), with the sportier driving experience being preffered over its off-road-ing prowess.

Soon, the model will also receive a plug-in hybrid version, albeit one that is much less powerful but offers slightly better fuel economy than the GLE 550 e. Other than that, the X5 is available with a wide array of powerplants across various markets, starting from a sequentially-turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder diesel to a twin-turbocharged, 4.4-liter V-8 running on gasoline. Read our full review here.

Range Rover Sport

Almost as new as the BMW X5, the current Range Rover Sport represents a massive departure from its first generation, most of it revolving around a huge drop in weight. Although it features a design language first introduced by the funky Evoque, its overall look is still derived from the larger Range Rover, while the engine lineup is entirely borrowed from Jaguar.

Not (yet) available in the U.S., the Range Rover Sport's entry level version can be had with a turbocharged, 3.0-liter, V-6 diesel engine with two power outputs. On the gasoline side, there is either a supercharged, 3.0-liter, V-6 or a supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8. Range Rover Sport's weapon against the new GLE63 and GLE63 S is the SVR version, also known as the fastest road-going Land Rover in history. Read our full review here.

Conclusion

Even though it was already four years old, the third-generation M-Class wasn't exactly outdated in terms of engines or technology, but the substantial facelift and the introduction of a plug-in hybrid version were needed to keep it fresh for three more years or so. Personally, I wasn't a fan of the taillights found on the GLE's predecessor, and even though their outline has remained the same, they kind of look better on the GLE from my view, but not by a huge amount.

The GLE Coupe-like front end was expected, so no surprises there, but I'm a bit disappinted with some of the model's interior bits, which aren't exactly in line with the latest Mercedes-Benz models, such as the S-Class and even the C-Class. Overall, I think the new GLE represents a solid improvement over the M-Class though, and I like the new name as well.