2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

header-image
Rating8.5

Ranked #3 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$51,100 - $64,600
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Spacious rear-row

Disappointing performance with the base engine

New model

The cabin has proper insulation and quality appointments

Some competitors have better driving dynamics

Not stingy with standard features

Specs & Features

$51,100

price

302 hp @ 6500 rpm

horsepower

273 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

3.5L 6cyl RWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Competing in the midsize SUV, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV goes up against other notable names in the class, like the BMW X5 sDrive35i SUV, the Porsche Cayenne SUV, and the Lincoln MKX SUV which has the lowest base price tag. Spread across 2 trims, the GLE-Class starts off at a base price of MSRP of $51,100 and carries on to $64,600. Not both trims are built equal, however, as there are 2 powertrains on offer. The standard engine is a 3.5L V6 rated for 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, the GLE-Class gives you a maximum towing capacity of 6,600 pounds. For more power, the 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 engine is also offered, with an output of 329 horsepower. A 7-speed automatic transmission is offered alongside both engines. You can also equip the GLE-Class with a diesel engine that has an engine output of 201 horsepower.

Buying Advice

Unlike the base 300 trim which comes with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive option, the more expensive upper 400 with default all-wheel drive is still a better choice in comparison due to its competent powertrain. Furthermore, if you can expand the budget even further, the Driver Assistance Package worth $1,950 should not be missed either.

Trims

    350
    $51,100 onwards
    • Engine: 3.5L 6cyl RWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 302 hp @ 6500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 273 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 143 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg
    400
    $64,600 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 329 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 354 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 143 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg
    300d
    $52,500 onwards
    • Engine: 2.1L 4cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 201 hp @ 3800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 369 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 8.9 sec
    • Top Speed: 162 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 24 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$51,100- $64,600

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.52

Horsepower

329 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

369 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$41,870- $57,230

Gasoline

7.8

290 hp @ 6200 rpm

252 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

7

Read Review

$60,600- $102,200

Gasoline

7.82

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

300 lb.-ft. @ 1300 rpm

5

Read Review

$54,700- $71,500

Gasoline

8.63

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

300 lb.-ft. @ 1300 rpm

5

Read Review

$39,065- $49,515

Gasoline

7.83

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

7

Read Review

$37,605- $51,730

Gasoline

7.49

308 hp @ 6800 rpm

265 lb.-ft. @ 2400 rpm

5

Read Review

$45,850- $47,300

Gasoline

6.89

325 hp @ 7000 rpm

267 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

$42,600- $44,400

Gasoline

8.09

265 hp @ 6400 rpm

248 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

7

Read Review

$29,995- $65,695

Gasoline

7.98

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

$64,950- $111,350

Gasoline

8.23

340 hp @ 6500 rpm

332 lb.-ft. @ 3500 rpm

5

Read Review

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    5.9 sec14.8 sec143 mph
    5.7 sec--
    5.9 sec13.3 sec170 mph
    2016 BMW X6

    Ranked #3

    6.2 sec14.8 sec124 mph
    6.2 sec14.7 sec113 mph
    2016 BMW X5

    Ranked #4

    6.3 sec--

    2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      18 mpg24 mpg20 mpg24.6 gal.442.8/590.4 mi.
      22 mpg26 mpg24 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/488.8 mi.
      20 mpg27 mpg23 mpg19.2 gal.384/537.6 mi.
      21 mpg27 mpg23 mpg19.5 gal.409.5/526.5 mi.
      19 mpg26 mpg22 mpg18.5 gal.351.5/481 mi.
      18 mpg26 mpg22 mpg19.5 gal.304/448 mi.

      2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        189.1 in.78.9 in.70.7 in.7 in.114.8 in.
        201.9 in.79 in.70.3 in.7.6 in.118.9 in.
        196.4 in.77.2 in.68.6 in.6.5 in.114.2 in.
        194.8 in.79.1 in.69.9 in.9.3 in.117.5 in.
        193.6 in.77.2 in.67.6 in.5.6 in.111 in.
        192.5 in.74.6 in.67.7 in.8.2 in.109.8 in.

        2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          38.2 cu.ft.-80.3 cu.ft.
          37.2 cu.ft.108.3 cu.ft.97.1 cu.ft.
          41.8 cu.ft.103.8 cu.ft.85.7 cu.ft.
          15.8 cu.ft.149.8 cu.ft.76.5 cu.ft.
          45.2 cu.ft.-75.1 cu.ft.
          23.3 cu.ft.151.1 cu.ft.115.2 cu.ft.

          2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            93.2 cu.ft.38.2 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.-
            46 cu.ft.29.8 cu.ft.61.1 cu.ft.-
            68.3 cu.ft.36.3 cu.ft.68.3 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            56.3 cu.ft.18.4 cu.ft.56.3 cu.ft.-
            85.7 cu.ft.41.8 cu.ft.85.7 cu.ft.78 ft.
            12.4 cu.ft.26.1 cu.ft.76.9 cu.ft.-

            2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              6615 lbs.1631 lbs.4652 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1953 lbs.4727 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1862 lbs.4488 lbs.
              7000 lbs.1477 lbs.5820 lbs.
              6500 lbs.1315 lbs.5130 lbs.
              6200 lbs.1180 lbs.4545 lbs.Jeep USA

              Top Mercedes-Benz Cars

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 65

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 12 mpg

              0-60 : 5.1 sec

              #1

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 65

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 3.8 sec

              #2

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 4.27 sec

              #3

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 Coupe

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 3.9 sec

              #4

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG SL 63

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 3.9 sec

              #5

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 4.22 sec

              #6

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63 S

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 3.96 sec

              #7

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS 63

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 3.2 sec

              #8

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63

              Horsepower : 563 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 13 mpg

              0-60 : 4.8 sec

              #9

              2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63

              Horsepower : 550 hp @ 5250 rpm

              MPG Combined : 15 mpg

              0-60 : 4.7 sec

              #10