3 WORST And 8 BEST Things About The 2024 Mercedes GLE

Mercedes GLE or BMW X5?
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0:00 - Intro

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BAD:

0:50 - Expensive

The X5 was also freshly updated for this year and starts at 67,500 for xDrive AWD

The GLE350 with 4matic starts at about 63,000

1:41 - Fuel economy

Well for 2024s the GLE now gets the same 48V mild hybrid system from the GLC we just drove and fuel economy is marginally better

HOWEVER, even with that mild hybrid the GLE is getting 23 mpg combined with 4matic

And the only problem is that the BMW X5, with 2 more cylinders and another liter displacement is getting 23mpg…in the city

2:29 - Power and Performance

The X5 engine is rated for 375hp while the GLE gets the same engine and same tune as the GLC we just drove which means 255 hp and 295 lbft

So over 100 hp down - which means while the X5 gets to 60 in under 5 seconds, the GLE 350 is getting to 60 in about 7 seconds

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GOOD:

3:07 - Advanced tech

Here now you get an updated MBUX system which now includes
Wireless ACP and AA
It doesn’t use the more vertical style touchscreen we’ve seen in the GLC, C and S
But you get
inCREDIBLE 360 cameras with the AR style view
And the 360 cameras function as security camera to record incidents
AR navigation which we’ve talked about before
That’s tied into the screens and HUD
You’ve got telemetry and offroad status screens
You’ve got pressure sensitive seat adjusters
OR you can enter your height and let the car take care of it for you
Something we originally saw in the new SL
You’ve got a wireless charger

4:07 - The drive

It’s also pretty great behind the wheel

But again it’s more about the luxury and ride here - which is why every GLE gets adaptive suspension

Also every GLE is electrified with AT LEAST this 48V system and every GLE, aside from this entry 350 comes standard with 4MATIC awd

But ultimately, yes, this is a smoother, quieter, and more luxurious driving experience than the X5

5:13 - Interior space (rear)

The footprint and layout isn’t changed at all for 2024, but that’;s a good thing because this GLE is significantly more spacious than the X5

The rear seats are several inches larger than the X5
They’re big and comfy and feel palatial with the pano roof
They’re so big in fact that you can get a third row on the GLE, but I wouldn’t
You get rear air vents and an optional climate zone back here too
You can also get heated rear seats in the GLE
But the trunk is also bigger than the X5, but not as dramatically so as the rear seats
The seats still fold 40/20/40 and you get grocery hangers
Small caveat being that PHEV versions of this GLE will lose a little trunk space to the battery
Weirdly, though there’s no way to drop the rear seats from the trunk
BUT every GLE gets a hands free tailgate

One of my favorite things about this GLE is how spacious and relaxing it feels inside

6:09 - Luxuries

Heated and cooled seats
Heated steering wheel
Heated rear seats
Heated and cooled cupholders?
You can get massaging seats here on this GLE
Seat kinetics
Pano roof option

6:42 - Towing

All GLEs can tow up to 7700 lbs

Also the 7700 lb capacity here matches the MAX that you can tow on trucks like the Chevy Colorado and the GMC Canyon

7:16 - Cabin Design

But that’s fine with me because I really liked the GLE interior and I like it here too
You’ve got the huge dual screens
I love the Porsche Cayenne style center handles

The whole interior is rimmed with gorgeous ambient light everywhere that does dances and even has function effects to tell you things like what the climate controls are doing
Mercedes does the best ambient light in the game - hands down

8:15 - Looks

And finally we’ll talk about the exterior design because it too got refresh for this year

I was a big fan of the previous GLE design, but this is handsome too and I like some of the subtle detailing they’ve brought in

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9:04 - Conclusion

[sainthefty]

Watched every car show in youtube, rarely do I enjoy the presenter enough to subscribe. You got a big future in this for sure just keep trucking!

[Financetonurse]

I have a 2020 GLE 350, CPO, and don’t see these upgrades being worth the price tag. I’m glad I didn’t wait for this, I’ll trade once Mercedes does their next big change. Hopefully they will still have the GLE. It’s the best SUV in the line up for cool
Moms 😊

[maxagent]

Bad review. What is the point of comparing a 4-cylinder with a 6-cylinder (both turbo)? You should have compared the X5 base with the GLE450. BMW simply does not offer an SUV in the category of the GLE350.

[Jimmy-phxn]

The security recorder and many other digital features are subscription based

[preoksaha]

The B58 in the X5 destroys the GLE. Sexy ride tho!

[TheCraftedDragon]

The configurator for 2024 GLE is available on some country Mercedes websites like Austria.

[steveb]

Shouldn’t the X5 be compared to the GLE 450?

[wrvjntg]

This video helps a lot. Never bought this kind of car before. Comparing this to the Audi Q7 and the X5. Haven't made my decision yet, but thank you.

[jrj]

Awesome video! Keep up the great work!

[SLSiscool]

Damn i wish i lived in america bc here in Australia we dont get the new gle until August 😭
Edit: its august today! Finally get to see this beauty in the flesh

[abelbenzo]

He said every GLE comes standard with adaptive suspension. Are we talking airmatic or coil springs with adjustable shock absorbers?

[doctordetroit]

Great review as always thanks! a 4 banger in this? Nope. If you can afford a Benz, you can afford a 6.

[gordoncorbett]

How do you drive your car, I achieved 47 miles per gallon yesterday on a mixed urban motorway journey. At one point it was 57 mpg.

[dwnshft]

Special thanks to our PAtrons for their support of the channel! GLE or X5?

[carsten]

This is definitely a great car especially with 48V mild hybrid !

[DJaquithFL]

Have you priced at Cadillac Escalade or a Lincoln Navigator or even something so lame as a RAM TRX? Mercedes GLEs are relatively affordable actually.

[robertwheaton]

So, As I do appreciate your feedback, I don't understand why you would not put the X 3 up to the gle 350, those two SUVs are very close and the X5 and gle 450 are a better Comparision. apples to apples my friend... stay well.

[masoudj]

I'm really furious that my top spec GLE doesn't have basic features like wireless car play or wireless phone charger. When I see entry level GLEs in US support augmented reality navigation or gesture control but my so called "fully loaded" GLE doesn't have those features I feel I got scammed by MB. Especially considering here we pay much more than US customers for the same car.

[JobGreg]

That's a great roundup. Does the 2023 GLE450 have EQ boost or is it 2024 exclusive

[Toobula]

I got the plug-in hybrid and your analysis on power is not right for that variant. The torque provided by the motor at lower speeds relieves the need for more engine displacement. There is plenty of power and torque. It's as power ful on the start-up and through teh power curve as my 06 E350 was.

The car is an absolute joy to drive and I think you captured that. No way the X5 can match it, nor can the Volvo XC90, and CERTAINLY not the Infinity, Genesis, or Audi Q5. I did not drive the Lexus equivalent (RX I think) because it it so bleedingly ugly that I would not sit in it.

A couple of details: POSITIVE: unbelievable turning radius, NEGATIVE: the plug-in is sorely lacking in storage. If you are the type to carry a set of jumper cables, there is NO place to put them. NEGATIVE (in my opinion): While they did lose the joystick, they're still trying to make that track pad work and it doesn't. I SO SO SO want the area is occupies for a bucket for snacks. There is NO place to put down a sandwich if you are eating on the go. POSITIVE: The voice command system ROCKS for audio and navigation, but (NEGATIVE) it fails big time in controlling driving features and settings. NEGATIVE: The hands-free tailgate feature (foot kick motion) works about half the time. You often stand there like an idiot kicking your foot like a Rockette dancer. Negative: There are places (though not many) where the key may not be detected, including the drivers floor where you might put your purse because THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE TO PUT IT.

Tips: I did not get the air suspension system and I strongly doubt it is needed because of the weight of the battery. The drive is stellar without it, anyway and mechanics will tell you it's going to be trouble down the line (even the Mercedes mechanic agreed).