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2020
Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

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Expert 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 review

img 1968135525 1542650173422 jpg
Our expert's take
By Aaron Bragman
Full article
img 1968135525 1542650173422 jpg

The craze for SUVs may be reaching its zenith. Every automaker sells them, and new models face an uphill battle to try and gain customers from the vehicles that have enjoyed years of success — models like this one: the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. It started life in 1998 as the original luxury crossover, the ML-Class, made here in America and the trigger for an onslaught of tall-roofed, off-roadable, all-wheel-drive luxury wagons that have surpassed the traditional sedans as the most popular models in the luxury categories.

Related: Here’s Our Full Preview of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

This latest version, arriving next year as a 2020 model, is set to renew Mercedes-Benz’s primacy in the field, thanks to a technology-laden, ultra-luxurious, astonishingly capable offering that’s likely to reset the bar.

An Excellent Driving Experience

What makes it so good? It’s a confluence of things, starting first with how it drives. There will be two GLE-Class models to start — the GLE350, equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 255 horsepower and 273 pounds-feet of torque, and the GLE450 that uses a turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 362 hp and 369 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the GLE350; all-wheel drive is an option here and standard on the GLE450. I drove both models in the Texas Hill Country north of San Antonio at Mercedes’ media introduction and came away impressed with both powertrains. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its airfare and lodging at such automaker-sponsored events.)

The four-cylinder has plenty of usable around-town power, accelerating smartly once rolling but not providing that much oomph from a standing start. Most drivers will find it perfectly adequate, but for anyone requiring a little more confidence in their daily drive or hauling around a full load of passengers regularly, the six-cylinder GLE450 is the one to get. The EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system is seamlessly integrated, offering up quicker acceleration in all conditions but also boosting the efficiency of the GLE450 versus its competitors, according to Mercedes-Benz. In both powertrains, the nine-speed automatic transmission is smooth to the point of near invisibility, shifting gears with such unobtrusive operation as to make you forget it has any gears at all. Power comes on in a rush regardless of how you’re driving — there’s never any hunting, never finding yourself in the wrong gear, never any clunky operation at all. Both of these powertrains are beautifully tuned but decidedly geared more toward stately cruising than sporty demeanor. 

Curvy, But Not the Styling

The GLE’s ride and handling characteristics are essentially a technology showcase. Three suspension options are available — a standard, non-adjustable steel-spring one, an adjustable air-spring suspension and the top-of-the-line option, a fully active electronic suspension that combines the air springs with adaptive dampers. The air suspension option on the GLE350 provides a smooth, comfortable ride with excellent road isolation and confident body motion control, but the real gem is the new E-Active Body Control fully active suspension, available only on the GLE450 due to its requirement of the 48-volt vehicle architecture. It uses the car’s forward-scanning cameras and mapping data to tilt the car into corners by adjusting the electric dampers at each corner independently. The effect is to counteract centrifugal force by leaning the GLE into a corner, much like a high-speed train or a motorcycle does, resulting in an astonishing effect for the vehicle’s occupants. In addition to a glass-smooth ride over some truly awful road conditions, you’ll notice that you sweep through corners faster as you’re not being thrown opposite the direction of travel. It counters the inertia the passengers feel when a car enters a bend, and it is one of the most amazing driving sensations I’ve had in any SUV. 

This active suspension feature is activated in three of the GLE450’s several drive modes. In Comfort mode, it’s switched off — and it’s fun to switch between Comfort and the others (Curve, Sport and Sport Plus) to feel the difference the active suspension makes. The GLE450 also features an Eco mode to maximize fuel economy and an Off-Road mode that changes the system’s responses and raises the body to its maximum ride height. E-Active Body Control can also do something unique — a special feature called Free Driving mode can get you unstuck from deep sand, should you find yourself driving through a desert or onto a beach, by “jumping” the body up and down while applying the traction control. No word yet on whether or not this works in deep snow, but we suspect it doesn’t due to the different friction qualities of snow and sand. 

The only low point of the GLE’s driving experience is that the brake-pedal feel is less than inspiring, with a mushy initial bite and a greater effort than expected to bleed off speed. The GLE350 feels a little bit better than the 450 in this area, which I suspect may be due to the 350’s lower weight. This is the only blemish on what is otherwise a superbly luxurious driving experience — but note that I do not say a sporty or entertaining one. The GLE is decidedly geared toward comfort and isolation, but it never embarrasses itself in the twisty bits. It’s competent, confident and satisfying to drive but never gets to be entertaining. For that, you’ll have to visit a BMW showroom and sample the all-new X5.

Luxury Accommodations, Now More Spacious

The first-generation ML crossovers weren’t lauded for their luxurious interior trappings — a criticism that will never befall this latest GLE. Mercedes-Benz has been crafting some impressive interiors as of late, using the idea of trickling down the top-of-the-line S-Class flagship’s materials and designs to lesser models, and the GLE continues that tradition. The materials, fit, finish, control knobs and buttons all shame most of the competition, even on the base GLE350. Step up to the 450 and start specifying some of the more unusual trim choices, and you’ll be rewarded with an interior that is beautiful, functional and flawlessly assembled.  

It’s also bigger than before thanks to a wheelbase stretched by more than 3 inches, almost all of which went to backseat legroom. It has also enabled an optional third row to be offered, best suited for children despite Mercedes-Benz’s assurances that it’s comfortable for anyone 5-foot, 11-inches tall or less. The second row’s legroom has been boosted considerably, and it’s now a very comfortable place to be even with doors that seem to intrude on cabin width rather significantly. Unlike other luxury vehicles, materials quality does not fall off from the front seat to the rear; it’s just as nice in the second row as it is up front.

Technology, to the Point of Overload

Mercedes-Benz has packed the new GLE with the latest and greatest tech — and it will take some acclimation before you can use it smoothly and with minimal distraction. Front and center is the new MBUX multimedia system (that’s “Emm-Bee-You-Ecks,” not “Emm-Bucks,”), which now employs a touchscreen. Combined with the fully digital gauge cluster, the GLE presents an electronic cockpit that spans much of the width of the dashboard. MBUX is extraordinary for a couple of reasons, the first of which is the augmented reality function in the navigation system. Switch it on while navigation is guiding you, and as you approach turns, the screen switches to a front camera view with arrows, street names, house numbers and more superimposed, in real time, into the image. It helps you to determine exactly where to turn, where the house you’re looking for is and more. It’s a little distracting, as you’re watching the screen instead of what’s in front of you, but it’s still an astonishing bit of tech.

Related: Hey, Mercedes! Voice-Activated Assistant Drives New MBUX System

The MBUX system also has introduced “Hey Mercedes,” a voice-activated concierge along the lines of Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa. Say the words “Hey Mercedes” and tell it what you want it to do — anything from adding a waypoint to your active navigation to looking something up on the web. It works quite well but has a specific flaw: Anytime you say the word Mercedes, such as talking about the car, or say something that sounds similar to it, the system activates, requiring you to cancel it. You’ll find yourself chatting with your passengers very carefully, being extra cautious not to say anything that sounds too similar to “Mercedes,” lest you wake the beast again and have to deal with an annoying, unwanted concierge activation. 

Also impressive is the configurability of the gauge cluster, now with four possible options and the ability to choose what information is displayed on which side of the cluster, and in what combination. It features far more customizability than prior versions of Mercedes-Benz’s digital dash, and it augments the optional head-up display, now expanded to a massive 17.8-inch by 5.9-inch, super-bright, highly customizable form. 

The problem with all of this high-tech wizardry is that it can be overwhelming and distracting, especially when trying to first familiarize yourself with it all. Most owners will likely spend time learning how to use some of the features, set things how they want them and never touch the configurable features again, such as the variable color of the interior ambient lighting. There’s a learning curve to figuring out the GLE’s technology, and it’s not an easy slope; it will require some study and dedicated practice, as any new technology generally does. 

The New Benchmark?

Taken as a whole, even with the complicated technology and lackluster brakes, the new GLE is an extremely impressive new model. Its beautifully executed interior sets the stage, but the driving experience nails it home. While pricing has yet to be announced, Mercedes-Benz may have just set the new segment benchmark for luxury SUVs.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Detroit Bureau Chief
Aaron Bragman

Detroit Bureau Chief Aaron Bragman has had over 25 years of experience in the auto industry as a journalist, analyst, purchasing agent and program manager. Bragman grew up around his father’s classic Triumph sports cars (which were all sold and gone when he turned 16, much to his frustration) and comes from a Detroit family where cars put food on tables as much as smiles on faces. Today, he’s a member of the Automotive Press Association and the Midwest Automotive Media Association. His pronouns are he/him, but his adjectives are fat/sassy.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 review: Our expert's take
By Aaron Bragman

The craze for SUVs may be reaching its zenith. Every automaker sells them, and new models face an uphill battle to try and gain customers from the vehicles that have enjoyed years of success — models like this one: the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class. It started life in 1998 as the original luxury crossover, the ML-Class, made here in America and the trigger for an onslaught of tall-roofed, off-roadable, all-wheel-drive luxury wagons that have surpassed the traditional sedans as the most popular models in the luxury categories.

Related: Here’s Our Full Preview of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

This latest version, arriving next year as a 2020 model, is set to renew Mercedes-Benz’s primacy in the field, thanks to a technology-laden, ultra-luxurious, astonishingly capable offering that’s likely to reset the bar.

An Excellent Driving Experience

What makes it so good? It’s a confluence of things, starting first with how it drives. There will be two GLE-Class models to start — the GLE350, equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 255 horsepower and 273 pounds-feet of torque, and the GLE450 that uses a turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 362 hp and 369 pounds-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the GLE350; all-wheel drive is an option here and standard on the GLE450. I drove both models in the Texas Hill Country north of San Antonio at Mercedes’ media introduction and came away impressed with both powertrains. (Per our ethics policy, Cars.com pays for its airfare and lodging at such automaker-sponsored events.)

The four-cylinder has plenty of usable around-town power, accelerating smartly once rolling but not providing that much oomph from a standing start. Most drivers will find it perfectly adequate, but for anyone requiring a little more confidence in their daily drive or hauling around a full load of passengers regularly, the six-cylinder GLE450 is the one to get. The EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system is seamlessly integrated, offering up quicker acceleration in all conditions but also boosting the efficiency of the GLE450 versus its competitors, according to Mercedes-Benz. In both powertrains, the nine-speed automatic transmission is smooth to the point of near invisibility, shifting gears with such unobtrusive operation as to make you forget it has any gears at all. Power comes on in a rush regardless of how you’re driving — there’s never any hunting, never finding yourself in the wrong gear, never any clunky operation at all. Both of these powertrains are beautifully tuned but decidedly geared more toward stately cruising than sporty demeanor. 

Curvy, But Not the Styling

The GLE’s ride and handling characteristics are essentially a technology showcase. Three suspension options are available — a standard, non-adjustable steel-spring one, an adjustable air-spring suspension and the top-of-the-line option, a fully active electronic suspension that combines the air springs with adaptive dampers. The air suspension option on the GLE350 provides a smooth, comfortable ride with excellent road isolation and confident body motion control, but the real gem is the new E-Active Body Control fully active suspension, available only on the GLE450 due to its requirement of the 48-volt vehicle architecture. It uses the car’s forward-scanning cameras and mapping data to tilt the car into corners by adjusting the electric dampers at each corner independently. The effect is to counteract centrifugal force by leaning the GLE into a corner, much like a high-speed train or a motorcycle does, resulting in an astonishing effect for the vehicle’s occupants. In addition to a glass-smooth ride over some truly awful road conditions, you’ll notice that you sweep through corners faster as you’re not being thrown opposite the direction of travel. It counters the inertia the passengers feel when a car enters a bend, and it is one of the most amazing driving sensations I’ve had in any SUV. 

This active suspension feature is activated in three of the GLE450’s several drive modes. In Comfort mode, it’s switched off — and it’s fun to switch between Comfort and the others (Curve, Sport and Sport Plus) to feel the difference the active suspension makes. The GLE450 also features an Eco mode to maximize fuel economy and an Off-Road mode that changes the system’s responses and raises the body to its maximum ride height. E-Active Body Control can also do something unique — a special feature called Free Driving mode can get you unstuck from deep sand, should you find yourself driving through a desert or onto a beach, by “jumping” the body up and down while applying the traction control. No word yet on whether or not this works in deep snow, but we suspect it doesn’t due to the different friction qualities of snow and sand. 

The only low point of the GLE’s driving experience is that the brake-pedal feel is less than inspiring, with a mushy initial bite and a greater effort than expected to bleed off speed. The GLE350 feels a little bit better than the 450 in this area, which I suspect may be due to the 350’s lower weight. This is the only blemish on what is otherwise a superbly luxurious driving experience — but note that I do not say a sporty or entertaining one. The GLE is decidedly geared toward comfort and isolation, but it never embarrasses itself in the twisty bits. It’s competent, confident and satisfying to drive but never gets to be entertaining. For that, you’ll have to visit a BMW showroom and sample the all-new X5.

Luxury Accommodations, Now More Spacious

The first-generation ML crossovers weren’t lauded for their luxurious interior trappings — a criticism that will never befall this latest GLE. Mercedes-Benz has been crafting some impressive interiors as of late, using the idea of trickling down the top-of-the-line S-Class flagship’s materials and designs to lesser models, and the GLE continues that tradition. The materials, fit, finish, control knobs and buttons all shame most of the competition, even on the base GLE350. Step up to the 450 and start specifying some of the more unusual trim choices, and you’ll be rewarded with an interior that is beautiful, functional and flawlessly assembled.  

It’s also bigger than before thanks to a wheelbase stretched by more than 3 inches, almost all of which went to backseat legroom. It has also enabled an optional third row to be offered, best suited for children despite Mercedes-Benz’s assurances that it’s comfortable for anyone 5-foot, 11-inches tall or less. The second row’s legroom has been boosted considerably, and it’s now a very comfortable place to be even with doors that seem to intrude on cabin width rather significantly. Unlike other luxury vehicles, materials quality does not fall off from the front seat to the rear; it’s just as nice in the second row as it is up front.

Technology, to the Point of Overload

Mercedes-Benz has packed the new GLE with the latest and greatest tech — and it will take some acclimation before you can use it smoothly and with minimal distraction. Front and center is the new MBUX multimedia system (that’s “Emm-Bee-You-Ecks,” not “Emm-Bucks,”), which now employs a touchscreen. Combined with the fully digital gauge cluster, the GLE presents an electronic cockpit that spans much of the width of the dashboard. MBUX is extraordinary for a couple of reasons, the first of which is the augmented reality function in the navigation system. Switch it on while navigation is guiding you, and as you approach turns, the screen switches to a front camera view with arrows, street names, house numbers and more superimposed, in real time, into the image. It helps you to determine exactly where to turn, where the house you’re looking for is and more. It’s a little distracting, as you’re watching the screen instead of what’s in front of you, but it’s still an astonishing bit of tech.

Related: Hey, Mercedes! Voice-Activated Assistant Drives New MBUX System

The MBUX system also has introduced “Hey Mercedes,” a voice-activated concierge along the lines of Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa. Say the words “Hey Mercedes” and tell it what you want it to do — anything from adding a waypoint to your active navigation to looking something up on the web. It works quite well but has a specific flaw: Anytime you say the word Mercedes, such as talking about the car, or say something that sounds similar to it, the system activates, requiring you to cancel it. You’ll find yourself chatting with your passengers very carefully, being extra cautious not to say anything that sounds too similar to “Mercedes,” lest you wake the beast again and have to deal with an annoying, unwanted concierge activation. 

Also impressive is the configurability of the gauge cluster, now with four possible options and the ability to choose what information is displayed on which side of the cluster, and in what combination. It features far more customizability than prior versions of Mercedes-Benz’s digital dash, and it augments the optional head-up display, now expanded to a massive 17.8-inch by 5.9-inch, super-bright, highly customizable form. 

The problem with all of this high-tech wizardry is that it can be overwhelming and distracting, especially when trying to first familiarize yourself with it all. Most owners will likely spend time learning how to use some of the features, set things how they want them and never touch the configurable features again, such as the variable color of the interior ambient lighting. There’s a learning curve to figuring out the GLE’s technology, and it’s not an easy slope; it will require some study and dedicated practice, as any new technology generally does. 

The New Benchmark?

Taken as a whole, even with the complicated technology and lackluster brakes, the new GLE is an extremely impressive new model. Its beautifully executed interior sets the stage, but the driving experience nails it home. While pricing has yet to be announced, Mercedes-Benz may have just set the new segment benchmark for luxury SUVs.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Available cars near you

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
4 years / 50,000 miles
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Battery
8 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years / 50,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
6 years old or less / less than 75,000 miles
Basic
1 year / unlimited miles
Dealer certification
164-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

3.9 / 5
Based on 30 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.7
Interior 4.7
Performance 4.4
Value 3.5
Exterior 4.6
Reliability 3.6

Most recent

  • Top notch features, extremely comfortable.

    Top notch features, extremely comfortable. Air suspension is a game changer. Higher ride, effortless for road trips. Tech is top notch too, wish it had wireless CarPlay.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Unlike other car manufacturers, Mercedes' standard

    Unlike other car manufacturers, Mercedes' standard factory warranty is only 2 years. That is what you accept when buying a Mercedes so OK. My GLE 450 is (only) 4.5 years old and has always been serviced by the dealer, yet the engine cable beam has melted because it was not designed robustly enough to handle the electronic's demand. It is surprising that a 'renowned brand' like Mercedes does not acknowledge a potential design flaw in the wiring, which, according to the garage, could have even caused a fire, and instead places the responsibility on the owner. In a discussion with Mercedes, the following reply from me was mailed: Your response suggests that if a critical component, such as a wheel, were to break off a Mercedes that is less than five years old and has only driven 180,000 km, it would simply be considered 'unfortunate.' This attitude raises serious concerns about the responsibility Mercedes takes for the quality and safety of its vehicles and their drivers, and it will certainly impact my decision regarding my next purchase.
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 2.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Good buy

    Great car. Love it. But for the price you should at least get leather interior, not that artificial look. But it rides beautifully. Feel safe in it.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    12 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Headlight problem never fixed by Mercedes

    The car is comfortable and powerful but in the middle of winter the headlamp has cracked and Mercedes doesn’t accept to fixing it and they said it’s physical damage while it is not an impact or accident After having 4 Mercedes in the row my next car will not be Mercedes 100 percent, I am absolutely unhappy and not recommending this car
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
    27 people out of 33 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Very comfortable and reliable.

    I love the look of this car. I love the convenience of this car. I am looking forward to learning about all of the features when I meet with RJ next week.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Great vehicle but......

    This is my 4th MB SUV. On the plus side I like the smooth quiet ride and the great creature comforts of the seats. Also lots of power, decent mileage and good handling, It has been very reliable, with no mechanical problems. On the minus side (1) The doors do not always lock or unlock when the door handle is touched, even when the key is within inches of the handle. The remote batteries are good, (2) The infotainment system, especially the radio requires too much eyes off the road timeThis is a safety concern. (3)Headlights: The auto high beam function is very erratic and will often flash oncoming vehicles, especially those with LED lights and also may go on high beam too close behind a semi. My 2013 ML was almost goof proof with it's auto lights. Also, I am supposed to have variable level low beams, and I did until the dealer changed out my headlights while trying to cure the high beam issue. .Now they are stuck on the highest level of low beam. (4)Awkward, neaarly inaccessible, placement of USB ports. ....(5)....This is the biggie. I have distronic as part of a package. Cruise is only functional part of the time. When ever it decides that the radar has not seen a vehicle for some time, I get an error message "radar view restricted" (which it is not) and the cruise will shut off and will not be restart. The book says to pull over, stop the engine and start over. This seldom if ever works. On an average 250 km trip, I will be driving without cruise for two thirds of the time. There is no way to defeat this set up. The only way I can use cruise for any length of time is to find some one who travels at a speed I like and lock on to his xxx and let the car follow him. This is no good at night because my low beams are always on the highest setting instead of auto lowering like they used to and when ever I go over a little bump in the road I flash the car I am following. In short, this is my 8th MB auto and is the most frustrating, because I know what a great car this could be. I am looking around
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    23 people out of 24 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Never had a car so bad

    This car i own now for 11months and stayed 5 times at the dealer with electronic problems 2 times we needed tow truck and they can not solve the problem real pour service from the big great mercedes...Never again
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 1.0
    8 people out of 11 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Soft handling

    This is one of the most beautiful car I've driven..it's so beautiful and amazing. good sounding system... I Believe this is the kind of vehicle you always dream of buying.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Off-roading
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 3.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • This the 5th MBZ I have owned and it is the best .

    Excellent design, both ext and int. Comfortable ride, comfortable seats. MPG far better than stated by Mercedes. Very powerful and quiet engine. Love all the MBUX features, once you learn how to navigate.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Good outweighs Bad (Maybe)

    Bought it because of all its features. I am still discovering some of them! We have put on 36k kilometers since June. Pros : Big on Comfort... All day drives are easy. Excellent back seat comfort. I Like the 48V system and the way the trans and downhill braking work when on cruise on hilly roads. Mileage is better than my 2013 ML350. Good power. It does a great job of following along in traffic on a busy highway, keeping the specified distance and auto steering. I Like the rear traffic alert when backing out. Like the nav system. Excellent AC, heater, and defrost. Windows frost free at -30F. Love the massaging seats. Vehicle is reliable, no mechanical problems so far. Dealer is very Helpful. Cons: Touch pad, yech.... Finicky, whenever my wife puts something in the cup holder she accidently changes stations. It is also very distracting and unsafe, as you have to look at the screen while using its many functions. Give me back the rotary wheel. Rear tires worn out in 24k km. Stupid alignment. Re aligned. Better now. Wallet bled unnecessarily. Steering wheel heats unevenly and slowly...I will get it checked out. Frequent messages pop up (typically 3 in a 20 mile trip) saying that one of a dozen features is not working. Cancelling these messages keeps me busy and alert. (Is this an M-B safety feature?) The very worst message says that radar sensors are dirty (Which they are not) and shuts down cruise control and blind spot monitors. This sometimes happens in 1 mile of travel, or maybe 40 miles. The book says it is caused by the radar not seeing another vehicle and to pull over and restart the motor. I drove to Fairbanks AK and cruise worked about 1/3 the way. In short , "I love it, but".
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    6 people out of 7 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Super solid and comfortable cruiser

    I’ve owned the 450 since it came out in March 2019 (11 months) and use it on my 40 mile daily commute of highway and city. The stiffer chassis makes the car feel solid like a bank vault and very quiet (doesn’t need electronic noise suppression). Traveling at 85 mph can feel like 60 mph. The inline-6 engine is a true gem - powerful but very smooth; I have two long steep hills on my highway and the MB can get up to 95 mph on these hills without any strain while other cars max out at 80. The Comfort package has 4 types of massage, which is great on long trips. I enjoy the MBUX system - it’s a bit complex at first but can be controlled 4 ways, so it takes about 2 weeks to become familiar. The navigation system with Augmented Reality is really useful - the front camera turns on and there are floating arrows to guide you so you don’t mistake your turn. Lookswise, it isn’t much different then prior generations but does look more muscular when side by side; my neighbor with a Volvo XC60 said it looked intimidating, especially with the 21” wheels. My only nits are: wish the remote start would heat the steering wheel and seats like my former Lincoln MKX; heated seats start lowering itself to off after a certain time (should let the owner decide when to adjust); and drive control arm is on the right side of the steering wheel, which is usually the wiper arm in most cars. The only option that I wished I got was the E-Active suspension. The car has been reliable and really creates a nice environment that even traffic jams don’t bother you.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Thinking of buying

    After reading all the reviews here on line really not sure that I would buy one I’m currently driving a q5 2017 3.0 very reliable also the fifth Audi I have owned thanks to everyone for there reviews
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    4 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 is available in 1 trim level:

  • GLE 450 (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 offers up to 19 MPG in city driving and 24 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 reliable?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 has an average reliability rating of 3.6 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 owners.

Is the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450. 53.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

3.9 / 5
Based on 30 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.7
  • Interior: 4.7
  • Performance: 4.4
  • Value: 3.5
  • Exterior: 4.6
  • Reliability: 3.6

Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 history

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