2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

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Rating8.2

Ranked #5 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$52,000 - $65,650
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Tastefully designed cabin with plenty of legroom in the rear seats

The infotainment system needs some tweaks

It remains unchanged for 2017

Offers better safety levels than the competition

The handling fails to infuse confidence while driving around corners

The V6 engine packs a punch throughout the rev range

Specs & Features

$52,000

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

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is a proud member of the midsize SUV segment, locking horns with cars like the Porsche Cayenne, the Audi Q7, and the BMW X6. Spread across 2 trims, the GLE Class starts off at a base price of MSRP $52,000 and carries on to $54,500. Its 3.5L V6 engine and 7-speed automatic transmission give the SUV 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. With that, it manages a 0-60 of 0-60 in 7.5 seconds and boasts a towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. Moving to fuel economy, the GLE Class manages to get a combined fuel economy of 20 MPG, a poor number for the class, giving its rivals an edge. It also has a ground clearance of 6.7 inches.

Buying Advice

According to us, the range-topping trim with the all wheel drivetrain is the ideal choice if you are in the market for GLE class. It is just $2000 more expensive than the base trim and makes the most sense of the two trims available given that it adds all wheel drive.

Trims

    350
    $52,000 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: 190 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg
    400
    $65,650 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl AWD 7A
    • Horsepower: 329 hp @ 5250 rpm hp
    • Torque: 354 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 173 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 20 mpg
    300d
    $53,400 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: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 24 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$52,000- $65,650

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.19

Horsepower

329 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

369 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$44,050- $58,500

Gasoline

7.7

290 hp @ 6200 rpm

267 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

7

Read Review

$49,000- $65,000

Gasoline

8.12

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

7

Read Review

$56,600- $73,650

Gasoline

7.47

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

300 lb.-ft. @ 1200 rpm

5

Read Review

$62,500- $77,450

Gasoline

7.58

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

300 lb.-ft. @ 1200 rpm

5

Read Review

$39,065- $49,625

Gasoline

7.55

288 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 3400 rpm

7

Read Review

$39,395- $62,895

Gasoline

7.31

310 hp @ 6600 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$43,100- $44,900

Gasoline

7.72

295 hp @ 6400 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

7

Read Review

$45,850- $47,650

Gasoline

7.25

325 hp @ 7000 rpm

267 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

$42,390- $69,700

Gasoline

8.36

340 hp @ 6500 rpm

332 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    5.9 sec11.5 sec190 mph
    2017 BMW X6

    Ranked #1

    5.2 sec14.1 sec130 mph
    5.4 sec13.8 sec155 mph
    5.7 sec14.3 sec156 mph
    5.7 sec--
    5.7 sec14.1 sec126 mph

    2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      18 mpg23 mpg20 mpg24.6 gal.442.8/565.8 mi.
      22 mpg26 mpg24 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/488.8 mi.
      20 mpg27 mpg23 mpg19.2 gal.384/518.4 mi.
      2017 Audi Q7

      Ranked #3

      20 mpg25 mpg22 mpg22.5 gal.450/562.5 mi.
      20 mpg27 mpg22 mpg19.5 gal.390/526.5 mi.
      19 mpg27 mpg22 mpg19.5 gal.370.5/526.5 mi.

      2017 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.
        2017 Audi Q7

        Ranked #2

        199.6 in.77.5 in.68.5 in.8 in.117.9 in.
        197 in.77.5 in.66.1 in.10 in.118.3 in.
        196.4 in.77.2 in.68.6 in.6.5 in.114.2 in.
        196.2 in.77.8 in.67.4 in.5.6 in.111 in.

        2017 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.
          24.8 cu.ft.102.5 cu.ft.62 cu.ft.
          41.8 cu.ft.103.8 cu.ft.85.7 cu.ft.
          45 cu.ft.137.5 cu.ft.82.7 cu.ft.
          38.6 cu.ft.-79.5 cu.ft.
          15.8 cu.ft.149.8 cu.ft.76.5 cu.ft.

          2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            92 cu.ft.38.2 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.-
            27.1 cu.ft.37.2 cu.ft.27.1 cu.ft.60 ft.
            79.5 cu.ft.38.6 cu.ft.79.5 cu.ft.-
            2017 BMW X6

            Ranked #4

            15.3 cu.ft.26.6 cu.ft.59.7 cu.ft.91 ft.
            12.2 cu.ft.11.6 cu.ft.64.7 cu.ft.-
            29.9 cu.ft.30 cu.ft.63 cu.ft.-

            2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              6615 lbs.1631 lbs.4652 lbs.
              8201 lbs.1757 lbs.4835 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1956 lbs.4727 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1707 lbs.4488 lbs.
              7000 lbs.1334 lbs.5724 lbs.
              6500 lbs.1315 lbs.5130 lbs.

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