Something tells me midsize crossovers of any description are never going to inspire widespread enthusiast geek-outs, at least not in the same way something like an E63 wagon reliably does. And when we do spend time talking about the Mercedes-Benz GLE family, it’s typically the high-output AMG variants—or, usually a little derisively, those GLE Coupe-things—that dominate the conversation. But every model lineup has an entry-level offering, and in the case of Benz’s fourth-generation midsizer, that’s the GLE350.
Thing is, you wouldn’t know it at a glance.
The 2020 GLE350 4Matic tester betrays little of its entry-levelness to a casual observer. It’s a relatively handsome vehicle in any trim, but in this case it’s been dressed up with the $2,900 AMG Line exterior package, fitted with AMG 21-inch wheels and so on. It’s nothing extreme, but seemingly subtle touches—like wheel arches painted body color instead of left as gray plastic—do help elevate the overall look.
Inside, you’ll find the optional black leather interior ($1,620); the front seats are heated, ventilated and massage function-equipped (part of the $2,100 Energizing Comfort Package). Those etched metal speaker grates could only mean the Burmester surround sound upgrade ($850) is fitted. And could that subtle air-freshener smell be … why yes, there is a cabin fragrance atomizer installed, with the little perfume capsule tucked away in the glovebox. About the only things missing here were soft-close doors.
All of this comes at a cost. Though 4Matic all-wheel-drive-equipped GLE350s start at $57,195, the tester sits at $72,685. This could easily be a matter of gussying up a wheezy base model to fool the neighbors, but for most GLE buyers, the four-cylinder is the way to go. We’re past the point where it needs to feel like a budget-driven compromise.
Mercedes apparently gets a kick out of building rabidly overpowered four-cylinders—see the ridiculous 416-hp four-cylinder in the A45 AMG and, soon, the C63. One knock-on effect of this is that it’s also gotten really good at building less powerful, but relatively unstressed, smaller engines. We’ve come a long way from the coarse fours experienced in the likes of the first-gen CLA.
Don’t let the figures fool you; though 255 hp and 273 lb-ft don’t seem like a lot for a 4,696-pound vehicle, the 2.0-liter turbo is fairly well-suited for this application. The GLE350 was never starved for power, and more importantly for a luxury application, it never gave off the impression that it was gasping for breath. Would I like the inline-six, as in the GLE450? In principle, yes, but in practice, this will do just fine. The V8 in the strangely named GLE580 seems gratuitous (and obviously, with the GLE63, gratuitousness is the very objective).
With the GLE350, you get a coil spring/torsion bar setup front and rear, and it’s probably the least impressive part about the vehicle. It’s not bad, and it’s never harsh, but it has a weird bounciness to it over imperfect roads and an unexpected amount of roll even on smooth pavement. It’s possible that the 21-inch AMG wheels were a factor here, but I can’t say. You do get used to it after a few miles, and the fact that I hopped into this after a stint in an air suspension-equipped Ram 3500 dually probably had something to do with the disorientation, but I’m used to a totally different, more sedate ride experience in larger non-AMG Benzes.
No matter what I tell you about the GLE350, I suspect that for a number of you reading, a 2.0-liter turbo crossover with a $72,685 sticker is going to be an automatic nonstarter. I get it—there’s a reason that an abundance of power has long been a part of the luxury equation. If you’ve got to have more power, the six-cylinder GLE450 starts at $61,750.
But if you’d rather save the power for your sports car and put the extra dough toward massage chairs in your daily driver, Mercedes gives you the option. You could take it as far as this pricey, though loaded, tester, but you don’t have to. Either way, the GLE350 is more than just the bottom rung of Benz’s midsize crossover ladder—it’s a solid offering in its own right.
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic Specifications
On Sale: Now
Base Price: $57,195 As-Tested Price: $72,685
Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, nine-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive
Output: 255 hp @ 5,800-6,100 rpm; 273 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 4,696 lb
Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined): 19/26/22 mpg
Options: AMG Line Exterior ($2,900); Driver Assistance Package ($2,250); Energizing Comfort Package ($2,100); Black Leather Upholstery ($1,620); Warmth and Comfort Package ($1,050); 21-inch AMG Multispoke Wheels with Black Accents ($1,000); Premium Package ($1,000); Burmester Surround Sound System ($850); Iridium Silver Metallic Paint ($720); Illuminated Running Boards ($650); Parking Assistance Package ($400); Power Passenger Seat with Memory ($350); Night Package ($300); Load Sill Protector ($150); Wheel Locking Bolts ($150)
Pros: Comes across as a complete luxury package, even with the entry-level powertrain; you’re able to add as many extras as you can finance
Cons: Not a fan of the suspension; price feels high for a four-cylinder (but maybe that’s the future)
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