Let's talk about the Mercedes GLE

"Van Man, rocks the Man Van" (jacoboconnell)
11/13/2015 at 20:10 • Filed to: Mercedes

I’ve been thinking a lot about the new Mercedes GLE lately for two reasons: 1) it’s a finalist for Motor Trend SUV of the Year and 2) one of my teammate’s moms just got one so I see it twice a week. I feel like I should talk to Oppo about this to get it out of my system.

Before you say “Eww, crossovers are boring and ugly,” you should know I happen to like crossovers because I fit in them.

I think the GLE is interesting because it seems like the SUV version of the VW Phaeton, since it’s expensive, but you don’t notice it too much. Also, the GLE seems like the perfect car for going to visit your parents on Thanksgiving because, like I said, it’s classy but not shouty.

As you may know, the GLE has many, many different variants. I happen to think this one is the best looking because of the Sport package.

However, that means there’s also a “coupe” version, which, in my opinion, isn’t as ugly as everyone says it is, and I happen to not hate these new “coupe” SUVs. I’d rather get an X6 though.

I just discovered this is a thing (but only in Europe). It’s the coupe with the non-Sport front end and wheels that are smaller than 22 inches. It would be awesome if we got this with a 3 liter diesel here in America.

How about that interior? It looks fantastic! I also think the integration of the iPad-style screen is much better than in other models.

I really like this picture for whatever reason. If I were getting one, I’d get GLE350 4Matic optioned just like this one, with gray paint, 5-spoke wheels (which I ordinarily wouldn’t like but seem to have grown on me), and LED headlights. Add on some options and it costs about $60,000. Which brings us to the only thing I dislike about the GLE...

The thing is, the Volvo costs about the same, but it has 3 rows of seats, a nicer interior, and flat-out Swedishness.

So what does Oppo think of the GLE?*

*Besides “Ew no it’s a crossover.”

DISCUSSION (34)

not for canada - australian in disguise > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 20:15

The Volvo is far better. Interior looks more organized and well thought out, better looking on the outside, and as you said, 3 rows.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 20:16

Is “Ew it’s a Mercedes” an optional answer?

Seriously I'd rather the Volvo or a Tahoe or something.

Under_Score > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 20:17

I thought it was the M-Class, the GLE-Class was that hatchback thing, the GL-Class was the big SUV.

Trip to Barnes and Noble to get a new CR auto issue is mandatory.

Alex from Toronto > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 20:17

I like them, good vehicle to take on a road trip.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 20:21

love the interior, think it looks too high up and stubby

MLGCarGuy > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 20:22

I like the GLE…

But I like this so much more.

Kinja'd!!!

Something about the refresh suits this style better. And it’s like the X6 M in that it’s so insane it’s hard not to like it.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > not for canada - australian in disguise
11/13/2015 at 20:24

3 rows is the kicker for me. Like I said, I’m totally fine with the GLE interior, but the Volvo’s is slightly better.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Alex from Toronto
11/13/2015 at 20:25

Agree. Comfy and spacious.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
11/13/2015 at 20:26

High up: not really. It’s a soft roader.

Stubby: I dunno.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > MLGCarGuy
11/13/2015 at 20:28

Regular one is much better than the coupe. I still like the coupe though, but I prefer it in 450 form rather than AMG for some reason. I'd take an X6 or X6M over either though.

MLGCarGuy > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 20:29

I was going to make the same point, actually. I feel the AMG Sport fascia looks better, rather than the 63’s gaping mouth.

CompactLuxuryFan > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 20:30

This generation feels like it’s been around for way too long. Did they do anything to it when they changed the name?

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 20:47

Is “ew it’s a Mercedes ML” a good answer? For the price of an ML350 I’d much rather have an Acura MDX with loads of options. Plus the MDX drives better.

Kinja'd!!!

I think my distaste for the ML GLE comes from the fact that they were the only luxury SUV in my area until about 2008, and then were swiftly replaced by X5’s. But I do live about 50 miles from where they’re built, so I guess that’s cool.

hike > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 21:25

The GLE is... okay. Like seriously. It’s so inoffensive and bland. Smooth, quiet, not ugly, simple interior. It does what it’s job very well. It’s just not exciting. I don ‘t even find the AMG version too exciting. Its not as fun as the sedans and not as absurd as the GL63.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > MLGCarGuy
11/13/2015 at 21:45

Totally. However, the “normal" fascia and slightly smaller wheels also seems to work really well. That combo would be awesome with a diesel like they have in Europe.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > CompactLuxuryFan
11/13/2015 at 21:46

New headlights, tail lights, grille, and interior. And I believe this gem was only introduced in 2012.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > touring the brook - now with ZHP!
11/13/2015 at 21:47

MDX is nice, but I would rather just get a loaded Honda Pilot instead.

/thatguy

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > hike
11/13/2015 at 21:49

I don't disagree, but I like how it looks. Plus the coupe is... different.

hike > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 21:58

It definitely looks better than ever. I find the coupe to look like a frog. But I was never a fan of it. It was neat when I saw the prototype for training but after spending some time with it it just isn't too special in my opinion. I do prefer it to the X6 though.

pjhusa > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 22:23

IT A COOL CAR

I LIKE IT

IT FILL ME WITH GLEE

LOVE GLE

COOLNESS

GO BUY ONE

syaieya > Under_Score
11/13/2015 at 23:11

Mercedes just went through a big name change thing to kinda reign in the weird. They stopped doing the acronyms awhile ago so they didnt make sense anyway.

Basically, they’ve copied the sedans naming scheme with the addition of the letters “GL”

So the cars are the A, the C, The E, and the S and now the SUVs are the GLA the GLC, the GLE, and the GLS

It’s a lot cleaner and makes a good line opposed to GLA, GLK, ML, and GL

CompactLuxuryFan > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 23:14

Ohhh see, I guess I’d missed that there was a whole generational change in 2011. I just thought it’d been a facelift (which seems to be what was done with the name change). The ML’s evolution between gens hasn’t been as marked as the Cayenne or X5’s.

For some reason luxury SUVs fall in that same bleh space as mid-size luxury sedans (5-series, E-class, etc) for me. I’d rather get a nice 335i than a 528i or even 535i, so I would just take my GLE money and get a C450 AMG. I’m not tall, though :P

Under_Score > syaieya
11/13/2015 at 23:14

Thank you so much! What I don’t understand is that the GLE is that new coupe vehicle: the ML and the GLE are completely different.

syaieya > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/13/2015 at 23:16

The facelifted GLE is a nice car, even if you have to pay a bit more for the Mercedes tax compared to the Volvo tax.

Flip side, if you have people that care about badges, owning a Mercedes is always going to carry a better aura compared to owning a Volvo.

That being said, both cars depreciate like used gravel. So you could just go out and get a 2006 ML for peanuts.

syaieya > Under_Score
11/14/2015 at 00:00

Well there’s the “GLE” and the “GLE Coupe” Two different bodystyles on the same platform. The “GLE” is basically what the ML was, the “GLE coupe” is Mercedes trying to make sure BMW doesn’t have a monopoly on slightly squished midsized SUVs

“coupe” nowadays is just marketing speak for fastback anyways. Marketing found something that works and they’re gonna ride it until it crashes.

Example, there’s an E class and a CLS which are both based on the same chassis and has four doors but the CLS gets the “coupe” moniker since it’s got a harder sloped roof. And the CLA gets to sit at both the sedan and the “coupe” table thinking it’s one of the cool kids.

It’s like making an IPA strictly for the American market. Breaking it down makes no sense but IPA’s are what’s selling now and the English language is flexible enough to not care if it means exactly not what it is.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > pjhusa
11/14/2015 at 09:46

Actually I always think of “Glee” when I say GLE too.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > CompactLuxuryFan
11/14/2015 at 10:21

Unlike many people on Oppo, I happen to like crossovers because a) I’m tall and don’t fit in a lot of cars, b) my dad has corrupted me by making me think practically about cars and c) they do all that while still driving pretty well (for their size).

pjhusa > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/14/2015 at 12:41

“Filled with glee when I see a GLE”

(non-existent rap song)

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/14/2015 at 14:46

Even though they pretty much only changed aesthetic things I prefer it over the ML which was so bland it was painful. This looks much better.

Crossover? How? Not based on a car chassis. Has proper differentials and transfer case, with IIRC optional lockers (they used to anyways). It’s an SUV. GLA and GLK/GLC are crossovers since they’re based on the CLA/A and C respectively.

Vicente Esteve > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/14/2015 at 15:10

AMG ML’s are awesome.

Kinja'd!!!

That is all I have to say

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
11/14/2015 at 19:37

To me, crossover = unibody and SUV = body on frame. AFAIK the GLE is unibody but it is in the gray area between SUV and crossover. However, I generally will call crossovers SUVs anyway.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/14/2015 at 20:26

Good point. I always forget about BOF since it isn’t as prevalent as it once was. So I just define crossover as car-based and SUV as not car-based. In a way, I think we’re both "right".

Alex B > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
11/26/2015 at 11:10

GLEEEEEEEEE

GE90man > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
01/01/2016 at 14:13

That coupe version looks uGLE. Also it's a knockoff of the X6. Besides that, I really like it.