Mercedes-Benz GLE 350de In-Depth Review | Does a diesel plug-in hybrid work?

[@ParkersTV]

Would you be tempted by a diesel plug-in hybrid? Let us know...

[@devidodge]

plugin hybrid, have it on order for the coupe

[@andreiarama8745]

@@Anonymous-ib8so actually not. You have a lot of torque at low revs,the engine is heavier,it needs more time to get to temperature because it will shut down a lot,when it cleans the DPF it will not work as a hybrid, noisier and probably the most important thing is that diesel is wanted only in Europe

[@Kungin456]

diesel hybrid is the only thing we should put our money on at the moment and not full electricity cars. we are at least 30 years away from needing to think about that! bensin is just to dirty and can be put away but electric cars are way to dirty to make so electric diesel beats everything easy at the moment

[@ianbrown1255]

@@Kungin456 yes agree I have this car and it really works well….50mpg and 55 mile range on electricity

[@ts6070]

Not sure why Mercedes is currently the only manufacturer who does this type of drivetrain? As previously a old diesel hater I can say new diesel Euro 6/6a/7 are amazing engines which do not deserve the stigma of old dirty Diesels. Ps thank you for decent no nonsense reviews sadly you are the only ones who do one currently!

[@station1964]

Picking up my '20 plate GLE 350de a week on Thursday .... super excited. Trading in a Tesla Model 3 and RR Velar to get 2 cars in 1 with the Merc. Great review - thank you!

[@stevek9959]

I’m interested to know your impression of the GLE350de. I got mine 6 months ago, also a 20 plate, and the electric range is nowhere near 60 miles. At best, the distance I get is about 30 miles. After a full 100% charge, the range on the dashboard says 40 miles. But once I start driving I get even less. I’m currently waiting for MB to look at it. Just wondering if you had a similar experience.

[@tamhuss1240]

Yes same here. Short range but it is great to drive on electric in a car like this. BUT the 2.0 diesel engine is what you will be driving on most of the time- terrible, rattly underpowered engine

[@christianrode2549]

Its a great Car!! No need for Battery Hold. Once you select a Destination in the Nav it will manage your Batterie Power along the entire Route - did it on an 1200Km Journey from Italy to Germany - it held 30Km Electric Range for the Destination Drive in town close to home - it will gain Battery power back depending on the Recouperation - we gained about 15% going down the alps. It manages this really well - Diesel consumption was 8,0Liters - going 145Km/h when possible on the Highway...

[@stevek9959]

Wow. Mine delivers nothing like that. After a full overnight charge the car says I will get 70kms. (not 100km as MB claim). But in reality I get around 50kms maximum. I get no regeneration at all. Recently drove a 600km round trip and the battery got to 1%. Sounds like you got a good one.

[@adamcrawford1346]

Very thorough and balanced. A lot of useful information. Great job. Thanks

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I'm not ready to go *totally* electric, but I'm not ready to go *totally* diesel either. If a Diesel-Electric hybrid ever becomes available here in the USA, I'd be interested in having a go at it.

[@mgiraudjr]

It never will. The reason you can't get European diesels in the US is because of ridiculous EPA.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@mgiraudjr Tell me about it. Ridiculous doesn't *begin* to describe how our EPA works. I'd like to breathe clean (unpolluted) air as much as anyone living. But who the hell is our govt. to determine what makes for clean air? I'll never understand why our EPA makes the decisions they do.

[@stefanseyfried8201]

Had mine for next to a year now. It’s been a very pleasant experience. 👍👍 Also a great vehicle for towing - I hardly notice the 3 tonne boat trailer (bad for adhering to the speed limits - ooops!😉) Ok, the boot could be a bit bigger, or there could be a dedicated place for the charging cables somewhere - but the battery needs its space … so there is a little compromise. ⚠️ Don’t get tempted by fancy big rims, the ride becomes rather stiff, and I think this doesn’t suit this car. If you want more sporty, you’re likely going for BMW. The wheel size makes a surprisingly big difference. I have the 21” rims with summer tires and the “regular” 19” ones for the winter tires. I’d like to keep the winter tires on all year. 👍 But do get the Multi Beam LED - superb at night in adverse weather conditions, particularly when it’s snowing: Can only say: “No more star-field simulation!” 👍

[@ian_p_66]

Just got mine. It didn't have the LED headlights it should have (nor wireless charging) apparently down to a worldwide problem with microchip supply related to pandemic BS! Only mentioned on collection (got two free services as compensation). Check when ordering.

[@ianbrown1255]

I’ve got this car too but didn’t know you can have a tow bar….was it fitted aftermarket, if so where did you get it from? Thanks

[@stefanseyfried8201]

@@ianbrown1255 My tow hitch is factory fitted, and electrically retractable. Thought a hitch was almost standard for a big size (for European conditions) SUV.

[@stevek9959]

I got a lemon. Mine gets around 50kms on battery only, not the 100km MB claims. . When I tow my trailer the battery is gone in less than 20km and the diesel consumption is 17-19 / 100kms. Very thirsty 4 cyl. engine. Wish I’d never sold my old ML320 which got 9-10L/100km and 12/100km when towing.

[@pemzija]

I’ve got my GLE Coupe 350de just delivered the other day and there is a proper climate control unit in the back, similar to the one in front.

[@rodrig0pinto]

Best of the 2 WORLDS!

[@RRW359]

Why don't we have these in the US? They solve most of the problems with both Diesels and gas/petrol PHEV's.

[@mgiraudjr]

EPA

[@Shockload]

​@@mgiraudjrwuts that

[@ianbrown1255]

Good review but, as an owner, don’t agree with everything….my car does recharge the battery on the go ( I often get home with more than I started with when on battery level saving mode) and the air suspension is faultless for ride and comfort especially compared to my previous RR sport….nearly 50 mpg and a range of 50 miles on the battery after 9000 miles from new…

[@marksharman8029]

Reviewers seldom grasp the hybrid....

[@deltatrash]

It is a new EU regulation. The 2022 model doesn’t actively charge the battery anymore. The 2021 model still did.

[@georgedicu7397]

How did you get 50mpg? At what speed, what mode(sport, confort)?

[@aerotus888]

490L boot space is far too little for such a huge car. Defeats the purpose of storage for a family.

[@yashvardhansinghsolanki6391]

Damn mercedes doing things the best way💯 still continuing diesel for us suv lovers while giving the feasiblity of electric

[@davidwindels9184]

Great review. Much appreciated.

[@devidodge]

If anyone looking to get his now in the UK, bare in mind it will no longer come with burmester sound, charging pad, energetic pack, and the air balance pack. Could be other omissions, not sure

[@danieloverton]

Mine is scheduled to start its build on 25/07/22 and the dealership has confirmed it will come with everything listed in the spec when I ordered it Nov’21. Seems the chip shortage deletions have ended.

[@devidodge]

@@danieloverton unfortunately the dealerships don't have a clue, yours included. You need to speak to head office for confirmation.

[@devidodge]

great review, please review the coupe next :)

[@ParkersTV]

Thanks!

[@dieterf.8826]

You got it wrong. Battery level means the car leavs the battery where it is and neither recharges, nor uses the battery for the electric engine. Basicly, you are driving a pure diesel in that mode. If you want the best, just put the car in auto and enter your target in the navigation, the car will automatically drive electric in the city and use the diesel engine on the autobahn where it also recharges the battery.

[@georgedicu7397]

This car doesn't actively recharge the battery from running diesel...

[@labilabi678]

I think you have got it wrong as in battery level it recharges the battery. I have used in battery level for many long trips. Started the trip with 20% level and ended with 100%. So, it does recharge it and very efficient indeed.

[@paweljoachimiak4572]

@@georgedicu7397 Mine 2022 E300de does recharge battery (slowly) just from diesel engine when stationary and in “Park”

[@TurkVladimir]

Thanks Great Video Presentation

[@coolmanu55]

any idea when is it launching in Australia ?

[@Quebicrecords]

I traded a range rover sport in for one. The right decision in my opinion.

[@ianbrown1255]

Did the same and, so far, no faults with this but I have put a deposit on the new Range Rover sport in case it’s better!

[@tedarcher9120]

I need that powertrain in C class wagon, that would be the ultimate continent cruiser

[@TeeFunkable]

They make C 300 de, pretty much the same thing.

[@wilsonwili]

Thank you.

[@Heretohelp750]

I’ve got the X5 hybrid. Beats this all day in every area. Get a 3L petrol for the same money and better ride control at lower speeds.

[@chrysteyan]

Yes but in the efficiency matter it costs double to run and 3 times the time to charge the smaller battery so is not the same league costs wise.....

[@S3V3N17]

100% agree of plug in gas /diesel hybrid only shot that make sense with our infrastructure and reality.I can barely keep 5$ in a car so what that mean is I can barely keep a electric car charged.

[@mrsamsebastian]

Are you sure there is augmented reality on 350 de?

[@ICE.S.M]

That's where automakers should of start at... Specially pick up trucks here in USA

[@kainetaylor8848]

never heard of a diesel hybrid

[@shbhu270]

When will be in usa. Perfet car for uber. Hybrid 7 seat

[@Rosso488]

So only if the emissions are really good should anyone consider this.

[@volvo24091]

The diesel GLE get better mileage than this. So what would be the point of this car??

[@chrysteyan]

When you drive most of the time in the city and short trips you will destroy that diesel engine, with this one you have the electric option and the hybrid or just diesel engine for the highway and long trips, I think you didn't uderstood the point of this powertrain

[@RobbertTravel]

Test drove it yesterday to see if it's a good replacement for my 20218 e350e, it's not. The Electric part is very attractive but it's just not as premium inside anymore, the indicator for example, is so flimsy. Looks like a lot of cost cutting happened over the years

[@jackjoyce1744]

It’s not a unique Mercedes thing. All car manufacturers are going the same.

[@v-gun9735]

Fantastic video if you are in the market for this car. Otherwise you’ll find it too long and boring.

[@bjs7442]

Good video but got a bit tired of the "HUGE" repeated. I drive my second Q7 and its quietness and ride and performance are superb. The BMW X5 is a small car made to look big. I am now changing for a plug in hybrid. Have tested the Q7 and the 2023 Volvo XC90 which has had its batteries and range uprated.. Not going to test the Merc GLE simply because of the boot size as I wont any RR product for the same reason. The Q7 and Volvo are much quicker cars also. Its a shame but on a car that size it needs to be bigger.

[@MKhan-tc3mz]

Please always mention electric range first. As this SUV electric range is 60 mile per charge.

[@johnharvey5963]

agree. thank you

[@andreiarama8745]

The germans made a fortune selling diesel cars and won't give up easily

[@mariap2129]

On 3:17... That's not acceptable for a Mercedes...

[@davidnjuguna9477]

Stitching and padded panels don't line up ...

[@SaffyMirza]

I gave this a thumbs down because you reviewed a hybrid but didn't bother charging the battery before testing the range, bizarre! Why would I click on a hybrid review if the review just talked about the diesel mpg, wasted opportunity!

[@ParkersTV]

Why do you think we didn’t charge the battery?

[@SaffyMirza]

@@ParkersTV because the reviewer said that he didn't!

[@ParkersTV]

Sounds like you’ve misunderstood. James refers to a real world example where he’s set off on a journey with a full battery, then completed the round trip and got the quoted fuel economy without topping up the battery. Ideally, a PHEV would be charged at the destination, but it’s not always possible to do this. Hence our real world test. 👍

[@NarcFreedom]

Had no idea this existed. Diesel hybrids should be a thing. The efficiency could be insane. Where are these made?

[@smifters]

Germany 😂

[@camilogomezkeep2324]

So it’s the least efficient of the diesels….. what is the point again?

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I find the Mercedes and the Volvo the best looking cars in the video.

[@2kMario]

You should people knew that most ''flammable'' vehicles are petrol hybrid , why there is no diesel PHEV but only one Mercedes ?

[@Danim24]

18:34 Land Rover Discovery? The editor should be taken outside and sho......

[@TeeFunkable]

I do admit to being interested in the merc phev diesel segment with the 100'ish km range. This.. Is a bit ridiculous and impossible to get out of in a public place without looking a bit like an pompous pr*ck. Just too big and gaudy. Then there's the glc, but it loses the main interior advantage of this one: actual physical switches. So might as well go to C estate with practically same interior space and controls and the added benefit of not being an suv. So.. tolerate looking like a ridiculous bloated whale in one of these or saving money and looks and going with C estate? As much as I hate touchscreen climate, the latter seems to make more sense.

[@djmanosv]

Show me a fully electric car as luxury as the GLE for family of 5 and I will buy it... Till then, GLE is the way

[@nderezic]

Good luck owning this car after the warranty expires! Repairs will cost you an arm and a leg!

[@williamdrijver4141]

Good alternative for countries with poor charging infrastructure.

[@ccaz1001]

Good car, but the boot size puts my off. For a car of this size, it's too small

[@rodrig0pinto]

Petrol engines don't last! This is PERFECT!!!

[@nonyabusiness1939]

Now you just have to change the battery every 8 years

[@ClaireYunFarronXIII]

@@nonyabusiness1939 twelve years, not eight.

[@themusicplayerrjs4055]

🔥😘

[@smwatson1512]

490 litre boot just isn't good enough in a car this size. Smaller than a normal 3 series touring and they're so much smaller. X5 45e has a boot that's stupidly small for such a huge car too.

[@smwatson1512]

@@Anonymous-ib8so Very regularly, I have twins.

[@ClaireYunFarronXIII]

No way you need any more space unless you travel with a giant sofa everywhere you go.

[@smwatson1512]

@@ClaireYunFarronXIII got newborn twins.