Words by: Adam Allen
Last summer, we drove BMW’s then-new X5 50e plug-in hybrid and while our expectations weren’t exactly high, we ended up really liking it. It solved two of our biggest gripes with PHEV powered vehicles- first, deliver actual, meaningful real-world range. Next, bin the buzzy four-cylinder engine that helped power older versions in favor of the brand’s effusively praised inline-six, which made for a vastly more enjoyable driving experience. These two changes took that SUV from forgettable to memorable and caused us to reconsider our unfiltered contempt towards hybrid vehicles, plug in or otherwise.
Lately we’ve been praising manufacturers who have resisted the urge to go all in on EVs in a softening market and took a more cautious approach in weaning themselves away from relying solely on internal combustion engines. PHEV vehicles seem to offer the best ‘have your cake and eat it too’ scenario wherein you can tackle your commute solely under electrical power and when the battery goes flat, the gas engine is there to take you the rest of the way. In the case of SUVs, it turns them from fuel swillers to fuel sippers and you needn’t worry about having to stop for a charge on the way up to the cottage- heck, the charging station would likely be broken anyway.
Since we were left glowing after our go around with the Bimmer, we were pleased to learn that Mercedes Benz has decided to join the party by offering a PHEV version of its X5 competitor in the GLE 450e. Europe used to have this model all to itself, but now it’s available on our shores. Like BMW, Mercedes has done an exemplary job engineering its version, and the most impressive part is that it offers a quoted 64 kilometers of electric range. Engineers programmed it so that anytime the system can it reverts to electrons instead of gasoline for motivation. With all that said, let’s dive into what makes the GLE 450e a compelling, in-the-moment SUV.
The Highs
Know what else makes this GLE 450e in particular so compelling? The way it’s specced. The dark yet ever sparkly Emerald Green paint overlaid on an interior finished in a hue Mercedes calls Macchiato, both of which give off a seriously ritzy vibe. It looks particularly spectacular during the Golden Hour just before the sun slips beneath the horizon. We’re sure we don’t need to tell you that it’s very handsomely equipped, resplendent as it is with its swath of screens and some of the best ambient lighting in the industry, if that’s your thing.
Since this rig proudly wears the iconic yet rather large three pointed star on its grille, you would rightfully expect that the GLE 450e goes down the road with aplomb. It certainly does that, but we felt that its on highway behavior is on another level. It is so hushed and locked into its lane that you feel like you could drive it well beyond the point where its battery pack and fuel tank are depleted; it’s very accomplished as a road trip conveyance. But the best part of the GLE 450e experience is the PHEV drivetrain and what it brings to the party.
We picked up our tester which showed that it was fully charged in the gauge cluster. We managed to go a full 68 kilometers on that charge which was kind of remarkable considering we were late for a meeting a drove accordingly. Intrigued, we plugged it in overnight and that next charge took us an even more impressive 73 kilometers. There was no turning off the climate control and heated seats and suffering through cold commutes to conserve range like we did in the BMW i5 we drove a few weeks back; we used it as a normal motorist would.
The electric drivetrain components spit out 134 horsepower and a very stout 325 pound-feet of torque meaning the GLE is able to get up to speed smartly and keep up with the flow of traffic. The familiar 2.0 turbocharged 4-cylinder we know well from a plethora of current Mercedes models is the other member of this motivational duo and feels pretty truculent for a four banger. Together, they make 381 horsepower and 479-pound feet of torque which go a long way in moving this luxury rig around silently and confidently. Clearly, it was worth the wait for Mercedes’ PHEV technology.
The Lows
Stil, we would have been happy to wait just a wee bit longer for the technology to be massaged by Mercedes engineers where the throttle calibration is concerned. On numerous occasions we drew curious glances from our fellow motorists when we thought we were asking the GLE to accelerate smoothly from a stop and instead we got a jackrabbit lurch. We didn’t notice any lurching from the suspension which otherwise does a commendable job of isolating occupants from nasty tarmac, but for our money we’d skip the slick looking 21” wheels for the smaller 20” setup. Yes, it’s only an inch, but that little bit of sidewall goes a long way to restoring the cushy ride quality we know Mercedes can deliver.
The turbocharged four-cylinder acts as a willing accomplice to the battery pack and electric motors most of the time, but we wished the Benz crew would have followed their crosstown rivals lead and stick their excellent inline-six under the hood instead. The additional power would be welcome, but we wouldn’t have to hear the somewhat grumbly engine note the four banger emits, although it should be noted that it is a very smooth operator regardless.
Our final complaint is aimed at the infotainment system. Owners shouldn’t find this to be a big issue as the steep learning curve eventually flattens and you can do execute most commands easily. For those who are technologically deficient (or those that spend each week in a different car- so, us) it isn’t the most intuitive experience, and simple commands can seem daunting and require you to take your gaze off the road. You get the hang of it eventually, but we wondered aloud when the software engineers employed by Mercedes might give the whole thing a rethink with simpler, more intuitive operation as top of mind.
The Verdict
Better late than never, as the saying goes. We’re just glad that Mercedes eventually chose to send the GLE 450e to our shores, and its arrival will be likely celebrated zealously by those shoppers seeking a good luxury SUV with fuel saving bent. As far as we’re concerned, it’s a two-horse race between the Benz and BMW- Audi’s Q5 TFSI-e neither offers as much range or is as satisfying to drive as the aforementioned pair. Should you lean towards Mercedes’ newest effort, we’re confident that it’ll quickly become your PHEV-ourite fuel sipper too.
2024 Mercedes Benz GLE 450e 4MATIC - Specifications
- Price as tested: $102,630
- Body Type: 4-door, 5 passenger SUV
- Powertrain Layout: Front engine/all-wheel drive
- Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves
- Electrification: 23.3 kWh Lithium-Ion battery
- Total System Horsepower: 381
- Torque (lb-ft.): 479
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Curb weight: 2,632 kg (5,802 lbs)
- Observed Fuel Economy: 11.5/100km (20 mpg)