2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e | Should This Be Your First PHEV?

With six core SUV models ranging in price from $39,000 to $170,000, including gas, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric variants in front-wheel, rear-wheel all-wheel and 4-wheel configurations Mercedes-Benz has a sport utility for every affluent shopper.
MSRP as-tested: $91,000
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2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e
• 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE...
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[@bassandtrebleclef]

I figured at 90k, it would have adjustable suspension. That's crazy Merc would do that.

[@owensdaddy100]

Great and honest review

[@princehamilton8606]

Love them SO much! 🏆

[@AyoBrownKid]

Crazy how it makes it to 60 @ 5.7 seconds, and this is the slowest 🤯 SUV’s are crazy now!!

[@bharathnaveen8870]

Im glad they kept this interior and didnt do that iPad set up on the gle. I really think they shouldve continued this dash on other models too

[@hooksx]

It's got air suspension option buddy.

[@stevehammes]

It sure does. Wish it was on my tester.

[@kencoleman8929]

Beauuutiful spec, though fewer options would make it a better value. Great points, Steve!

[@stevehammes]

Very true!

[@baldheadlogic]

Great Review. Surprised to hear how efficient this GLE was.

[@stevehammes]

Thanks!

[@Trades46]

Mercedes knows how to do aero. The EQE and EQS are both crazy efficient for their size & weight class.

[@tunnelrat6809]

Great review Steve! I actually just drove the GLE450e on Friday. I first drove a normal E class sedan. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but something just felt a little more "volume seller" in the GLE vs the E class sedan. It just seemed less special and more appliance-like. Curious if you got those vibes too. Love your videos!

[@stevehammes]

Thanks for sharing!

[@paullee9982]

I don’t think it’s fair to compare the E with the GLE. Sedan vs SUV dynamics, one is built in Germany vs Alabama which I think has significant quality / fit and finish implications, and plug in hybrid vs i6 mild hybrid. I used to own a 2020 GLE450 with the i6 mild hybrid and it had a host of issues from electrical, rough transmission kick downs , chattery interior, AC issues and some fit and finish niggles. Sold her back to the dealer in 2022. Frankly, I’d wait another year before jumping in bed with a full plug in hybrid with MB to work out some kinks with the first MY. I’d also recommend checking out thr BMW x5 50e…much better car dynamically and I think they have a leg up with electrification given their longer history / track record than Mb…just my 2 cents..

[@CapitalJ25]

I'm thinking the new GLC is a better "bargain." Great review.

[@inspectorvoid]

Steve I just noticed that your voice would work so well with “how it’s made” videos 😅

[@stevehammes]

You think so?

[@el-padre-de-los-carros]

Una camioneta Mercedes Benz elegante.

[@jackchn23]

Nice review Steve, I hear Mercedes is having trouble moving their EQS line of ev’s too. The average EQS inventory is sitting around for about 3 months…that means dealerships are paying out of pocket to park these cars on their lots that Mercedes is forcing them to sell.

[@gregkramer5588]

Seems like they doubled production when demand only grew fifty percent.

[@rokyrychy]

Just bought GLE450e, I have at home Level 2 charger. Car seems to max out at 7.6kW (vs 9.6kW spec). I have wall connector hard wired for up to 11kW. Any idea why?

[@stevehammes]

7.6kW is the real world actual home charger max.

[@rokyrychy]

I am not sure what you mean, home chargers go up to 20kw.

[@barrycolla2506]

Wow....$70.000....here in the Netherlands it's $111.000😢😢😢

[@LiohJuney]

You schedule the charging through Mercedes' App. My 2021 BMW 330e is the same way unfortunately.

[@stevehammes]

Now that you say that I see a $200 credit on the Monroney because the scheduling feature on the app was unavailable. Thanks.

[@khunopie9159]

Just to prove I was paying attention, if Steve can't reach the far side of the screen with his basketball arms, imagine the difficulty a less rangy driver will have. Good review man! Nice going Steve!

[@officesuperhero9611]

So this car is 4 cylinder? I have a 2020 GLE 450. 450s have 6 cylinders. 350 have 4. So I guess they justify the 2 less cylinders by adding the electric motor to compensate.

[@stevehammes]

That’s it.

[@JobGreg]

Not really. After 50 miles the tinny V4 2L engine is on its own

[@ganouyang]

@@JobGreg No. The e-booster is always available to help the ICE when needed.

[@upperleftnorthwest4278]

I dont get why this vehicle doesnt qualify for the $3750 tax credit. Its literally produced in the US

[@stevehammes]

MSRP

[@upperleftnorthwest4278]

@@stevehammes Msrp clears the threshold of 80k

[@stevehammes]

@@upperleftnorthwest4278 You’re right, though this $91k example would not. Fuel economy.gov still doesn’t have official ratings on this model yet therefore it’s not showing on the tax incentive list. I’ll keep checking.

[@cbatiau2528]

Haven't the new rules clicked in that specify that battery components have to be sourced from North America or from US-free-trade partners? And I thought there was going to be a 40-kWh battery limit for any EVs to be eligible (or maybe that was an earlier version of the bill that I read and this part wasn't passed?).

[@ganouyang]

The high voltage battery is made in China.

[@michaelv6870]

Why would I buy this if I can get an X5 50e for the same money. Inline six and 100 hp more. Add standard air suspension and the BMW is in a different league. It will drive circles around this pretzel. And don`t get me started on the build quality and reliability ratings.

[@PhilT993]

I strongly considered the BMW X5 50e too, but in the only real world test I have been able to find, it only just managed it's EPA range of 40 miles on electric only. The 450e managed 58 miles at a constant 70mph and did 68 miles at around 40mph and stop/go traffic. If you are buying the vehicle for its' hybrid capabilities, that is a huge difference!

[@michaelv6870]

@@PhilT993 I trade in 10 miles for a completely different driivng experieince. Especially once the battery is depleted.

[@PhilT993]

@@michaelv6870 Hi Michael, I would agree, if the difference is only 10 miles of electric range, but if the difference is 20 to 30 miles, then that is a really big difference. If, with the much bigger EV range in the Mercedes, I can do 80% of my driving on electric only, that is the better choice of a hybrid for me. I agree that the ICE engine in the BMW is much more desirable, but the goal of a hybrid is to use it as little as possible, after all. I really need to be able to see more REAL-WORLD electric only range testing on the 2 vehicle to make the best decision.

[@georgebrill3072]

I have the 2024 X5 50e with 2600 miles and its been in the shop 3 times already with the first time take 3 weeks for the repair to be completed.

[@michaelv6870]

@@georgebrill3072 I have the same one, 5,000 miles on it. Was in the shop twice but it seems to be ok now. BMW was very generous and comped me for it. Maybe has to do with me being a repeat and high end BMW buyer; don`t know, don`t care.

[@2Kriss2Kross]

Mercedes definitely is the Goldilocks of German brands in styling. Gorgeous, clean, sharp, and should age well while Audis are dull and BMW’s are overwrought and gaudy.

[@supastah68]

Reliability sucks

[@davidd1692]

Mercedes styling has gone downhill

[@gideonmuteti1524]

Name a better styling (suv)

[@user-ep8wm1rl9p]

​@@gideonmuteti1524 he can't name anything...just hating🥴