Price and Trims
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE had four trims, and three of those were performance-oriented AMG models. For 2020, the GLE has three trims, and none of these are sporty AMG SUVs – although those are sure to come in the future.
The base GLE 350 starts at $53,700, the GLE 350 4Matic starts at $56,200, and the GLE 450 4Matic starts at $61,150. There are plenty of options to be added to any of these trims, but there’s also a long list of new standard features for the new model year, which we’ll discuss on the following slide.
Interior Features
The GLE’s infotainment system – the Mercedes-Benz User Experience, or MBUX – has some innovative upgrades for 2020, and many of these features are standard equipment. The voice control uses natural language capabilities, and the MBUX Interior Assistant recognizes hand and arm gestures via a camera mounted in the overhead console. The system can distinguish between driver and passenger to activate a feature like seat massage. You can also set a favorite feature to be activated with a single two-finger gesture. To activate the voice commands, call out, “Hey Mercedes.”
There are two screens that give a panoramic feel to the dashboard: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touch screen. These can be configured to match the interior or display situational information, with four styles to choose from.
The MBUX has standard navigation, which seems kind of retro at first, since smartphones can easily use Google Maps or Waze. But this system uses augmented reality to overlay information like house numbers and directional arrows on the screen when you’re using route guidance.
There are loads of options for the 2020 GLE too, like four-zone climate control and wireless device charging. You can also add a full-color head-up display that’s larger and brighter than previous versions.
The optional Energizing Comfort system, which uses music, lighting, and massage together to improve your driving experience, isn’t new. But the addition of the Energizing Coach is new. The coach takes it a step further and recommends a comfort program depending on the situation and the individual. It can connect to a Garmin device to learn your current stress levels or recent sleep quality.
The system can also learn your habits and make performing those actions easier. If you usually call the office on your way to work, the MBUX interface is able to bring up the phone interface with your office number ready to go at the usual time.
Interior Styling
The wheelbase of the 2020 GLE has been extended by 3.1 inches overall, which translates to more interior space. Not only is there more headroom and legroom for the rear passengers, but there’s now enough room for an optional third-row seat. The fully adjustable second row makes it easier for passengers to use the third row and can be folded away to make more room for cargo. Speaking of cargo, the rear suspension can be lowered by 1.6 inches to make loading and unloading easier
It’s not entirely about the back-seat passengers in the new GLE. The optional panoramic sunroof is 50 percent larger, and there’s a new sport steering wheel. The available kinetic front seats make minute adjustments for comfort, without requiring you to fiddle with the controls. If you enter your body size information, the seat will automatically adjust to the optimal driving position, as well.
Cargo Space
Cargo space dimensions haven’t been released yet, but the extra space for passengers likely means extra space for cargo as well. The 2019 GLE had more cargo space than most luxury midsize SUVs, so we can probably expect the 2020 model to be cavernous for the class, especially without the third row of seats.
Powertrain
With the change in trims this year comes a change in powertrains. The GLE 350 has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. That’s smaller than the V6 in the outgoing base GLE, but also more fuel efficient.
The GLE 450 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain also has a 48-volt battery assist that runs auxiliary electronic systems and the EQ Boost, which adds up to 21 extra horsepower while accelerating. Mercedes says that the system delivers hybrid-like fuel economy.
No matter which trim you choose, there’s a new standard nine-speed automatic transmission. Previously, if you bought a GLE 400, the all-wheel-drive 4Matic system came along with it. The 2020 GLE 350, though, can be had with rear-wheel drive as well as all-wheel drive. The GLE 450 comes standard with all-wheel drive.
Fuel Economy
EPA estimates aren’t in for the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE yet, but with new powertrains, there should be an improvement. The 2019 GLE got, at best, 23 mpg on the highway. With a smaller turbo four on the menu and the new six-cylinder with 48-volt support, the numbers should be better for 2020.
Handling
Besides the EQ Boost delivering a bit of extra horsepower, the 48-volt battery also runs the E-Active Body Control system. In GLE models equipped with the stereo camera as part of the safety tech, the system scans the road and computes curve inclination. The GLE is also able to control spring and damping at each individual wheel.
If you take your GLE off the pavement, the new free-driving mode will help out if you’ve gotten yourself stuck and need to rock the vehicle free. It pumps the suspension up and down quickly a few times, which changes the pressure on the tires. This helps the GLE crawl out of snow, sand, or deep, sticky mud ruts.
Safety Features
Mercedes has always been an early player in safety systems, and the 2020 GLE continues that trend. If you’ve programed in a route, it can adapt the vehicle’s speed according to speed limits, curves, and other environmental factors.
It can combine this route-based speed adaptation with adaptive cruise control and Live Traffic to detect a traffic jam before the driver does. First, it reduces your highway speed to 60 mph to give you time to figure out that traffic has slowed. Then, when you’re in the thick of the slowdown, Active Stop and Go Assist works the pedals for you at speeds of up to 37 mph. If you come to a complete stop for less than one minute, the GLE will start up again on its own. When the jam is clear, the GLE will resume your preset cruise control speed or, if you didn’t have one set, it will go back up to the local speed limit,
If you’re driving around town instead of on the highway, Active Brake Assist works with Cross Traffic Assist as you’re turning across a lane of traffic (usually when making a left). If it detects a possible collision, the system will activate the brakes.
Blind spot assist and active parking assist are now standard, and the GLE will warn you of approaching vehicles or bikes when opening the door up to three minutes after turning off the engine.
Competition
The 2019 BMW X5 was completely redesigned, making it a tough competitor in the luxury midsize SUV class. Unlike the GLE – at least at the moment – the X5 has an available V8 engine, but it also has a higher starting price than the 2020 GLE. The X5 has a long list of advanced standard safety tech, though its systems don’t integrate to detect traffic jams like those in the GLE.
The 2019 Audi Q7 did not change much for the new model year, but it is still among the best in the category. Like the GLE, it has a third row, but most of the advanced driver assist features in the Q7 are optional. Its fuel economy has been a little better than the GLE’s, but the new powertrains may eliminate that advantage for the Q7.
Availability
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4Matic and GLE 450 4Matic models will be available in spring 2019. The GLE 350 without 4Matic will go on sale in summer 2019. All GLE models are built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
For additional photos of the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE, click through the following pages.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Controls to raise and lower the third-row seats and raise and lower the rear suspension to make loading and unloading cargo easier
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Folded second-row seats
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Dashboard and front seats
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Ambient lighting in the interior
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Infotainment touch-pad control on the center console, along with controls for the drive mode, parking cameras, and other features
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Center console controls for the suspension and off-road systems
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Four-zone automatic climate control
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touch screen
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Push-button start
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Steering wheel infotainment controls
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE: Additional Photos
Burmester speaker
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
You can compare the new 2020 GLE with the outgoing 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE or any of the competition in our luxury midsize SUV rankings. When you’re ready to buy, check out the best Mercedes deals.
Our Best Price Program can also save you money. You can get a pre-negotiated price on your car at a local dealer. On average, buyers have saved more than $3,000 off MSRP using the Best Price Program.
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The Future Is Now in the 2020 Mercedes GLE
The completely redesigned 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE debuted at the Paris Auto Show in October 2018. This luxury midsize SUV has a newly optional third row, a more aerodynamic design, and a slate of new powerplants for improved fuel economy.
Cutting-edge driver assistance and infotainment technologies point toward the future of semiautonomous – and even autonomous – driving. Familiar systems like adaptive cruise control and navigation have combined, allowing the GLE to become aware of traffic jams before your human eyes can react. Augmented reality, or AR, helps you find house numbers, even in the dark. And if you enter your body measurements, the driver’s seat will automatically adjust for your size.
There are more ways to configure the all-new GLE, from engines to advanced safety features. Read on to find out what’s available in this latest version.