2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

header-image
Rating7.5

Ranked #8 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$54,750 - $78,900
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on January 31, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

It is tech-savvy.

Available third-row is cramped.

Standard wireless charging, SiriusXM satellite radio, parking damage detection system, and ambient lighting.

A comfortable ride is obviously a plus.

Sluggish acceleration on the base engine.

Optional MBUX Interior Assistant and a head-up display.

Mercedes-Benz-level quality and finish.

Mild-hybrid trim saves fuel.

Specs & Features

$54,750

price

255 hp @ 5800 rpm

horsepower

273 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm

torque

9-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

2.0L 4cyl RWD 9A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Competing in the mid-size SUV segment, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class goes up against other notable names in the class, like the Audi Q7, the BMW X5, and the Volvo XC90. Spread across 3 trims, the GLE-Class starts off at a base price of MSRP of $54,750 and carries on to $78,900. Not all trims are built equal, however, as there are 3 powertrains on offer. 

Starting off is a 2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 and a 9-Speed Automatic transmission engine. Making 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, this engine makes the GLE-Class capable of accelerating from a standstill to 60 MPH in just 7.0 seconds and carries the capability to tow 5,950 pounds. One can also opt for a bigger 3.0L Turbocharged Inline-6 engine with a 48-Volt EQ Boost mild hybrid system that is paired to the 9-Speed Automatic transmission. With 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, this engine gets you a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. Furthermore, a 4.0L Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine with the same mild hybrid system is also available which produces 483 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. 

Buying Advice

You should settle with the middle GLE 450 trim. Not only is it 1.5 seconds faster but it is also more fuel-efficient in the city compared to the base GLE 350 trim. Some of the options that you can consider are the panoramic roof, soft close doors, head-up display, and 4-zone automatic climate control. 

Trims

    350
    $54,750 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl RWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 255 hp @ 5800 rpm hp
    • Torque: 273 lb.-ft. @ 1800 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.87 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 22 mpg
    580
    $78,900 onwards
    • Engine: 4.0L 8cyl AWD 9A
    • Horsepower: 483 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 516 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 5.17 sec
    • Top Speed: 155 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 19 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$19,000- $26,900

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

6.46

Horsepower

137 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque

162 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$31,545- $50,725

Gasoline

7.39

235 hp @ 4500 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

7

Read Review

$68,200- $77,850

Gasoline

7.21

335 hp @ 5700 rpm

369 lb.-ft. @ 1370 rpm

5

Read Review

$54,950- $72,000

Gasoline

8.08

248 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

7

Read Review

$48,900- $65,550

Gasoline

8.02

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

311 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,800- $54,595

Gasoline

6.25

310 hp @ 6800 rpm

266 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

8

Read Review

$29,800- $48,600

Gasoline

7.65

193 hp @ 6300 rpm

188 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

7

Read Review

$65,050- $86,250

Gasoline

8.19

335 hp @ 5500 rpm

331 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,110- $88,445

Gasoline

6.73

271 hp @ 6500 rpm

239 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

-

Read Review

$36,765- $50,745

Gasoline

6.29

270 hp @ 5600 rpm

278 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.87 sec--
    5.1 sec--
    2021 BMW X5

    Ranked #2

    5.2 sec14.3 sec130 mph
    2021 Audi Q8

    Ranked #3

    5.3 sec14.0 sec130 mph
    5.4 sec--
    2021 BMW X6

    Ranked #5

    5.6 sec13.4 sec132 mph

    2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      19 mpg26 mpg22 mpg22.5 gal.427.5/585 mi.
      28 mpg31 mpg29 mpg13.2 gal.369.6/409.2 mi.
      23 mpg32 mpg26 mpg14.2 gal.326.6/454.4 mi.
      2021 Audi Q5

      Ranked #3

      23 mpg28 mpg25 mpg18.5 gal.425.5/518 mi.
      21 mpg30 mpg25 mpg18.8 gal.394.8/564 mi.
      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/545.2 mi.

      2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        194.3 in.76.7 in.70.7 in.7.1 in.117.9 in.
        204.3 in.78.6 in.70.7 in.7.51 in.120.9 in.
        200.6 in.77.2 in.68.6 in.6.5 in.114.2 in.
        2021 Audi Q7

        Ranked #3

        199.3 in.77.6 in.68.5 in.7.7 in.117.9 in.
        198.8 in.78.9 in.70.2 in.8.2 in.119.1 in.
        198.5 in.77.3 in.69.9 in.6.65 in.112.7 in.

        2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          33.3 cu.ft.-74.9 cu.ft.
          2021 BMW X6

          Ranked #1

          27.4 cu.ft.164.4 cu.ft.59.6 cu.ft.
          20.6 cu.ft.153.7 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.
          47.2 cu.ft.-89.7 cu.ft.
          18 cu.ft.155.3 cu.ft.86.4 cu.ft.
          41.8 cu.ft.103.8 cu.ft.85.7 cu.ft.

          2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            74.9 cu.ft.33.3 cu.ft.74.9 cu.ft.-
            36.5 cu.ft.38.1 cu.ft.68.6 cu.ft.-
            63.3 cu.ft.29.7 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.79 ft.
            77.9 cu.ft.41.2 cu.ft.77.9 cu.ft.73 ft.
            2021 Audi Q8

            Ranked #5

            60.7 cu.ft.30.5 cu.ft.60.7 cu.ft.76 ft.
            83.9 cu.ft.23 cu.ft.98.2 cu.ft.64 ft.

            2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              5950 lbs.1499 lbs.4608 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1850 lbs.5135 lbs.
              7700 lbs.1657 lbs.4582 lbs.
              2021 Audi Q8

              Ranked #2

              7700 lbs.1124 lbs.4960 lbs.
              2021 BMW X6

              Ranked #3

              7209 lbs.1025 lbs.4687 lbs.
              2021 BMW X5

              Ranked #3

              7209 lbs.974 lbs.4828 lbs.

              Top Mercedes-Benz Cars

              2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach

              Horsepower : 621 hp @ 4800 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 7 sec

              #1

              2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E 63 S

              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5750 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 3.41 sec

              #2

              2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS 63

              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5750 rpm

              MPG Combined : 16 mpg

              0-60 : 4.24 sec

              #3

              2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S

              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5750 rpm

              MPG Combined : 16 mpg

              0-60 : 3.4 sec

              #4

              2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S Coupe

              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5750 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 3.91 sec

              #5

              2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63

              Horsepower : 603 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 19 mpg

              0-60 : 3.46 sec

              #6

              2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 14 mpg

              0-60 : 4.29 sec

              #7

              2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63

              Horsepower : 577 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 18 mpg

              0-60 : 3.65 sec

              #8

              2021 Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS

              Horsepower : 550 hp @ 6000 rpm

              MPG Combined : 16 mpg

              0-60 : 4.8 sec

              #9

              2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63 S Coupe

              Horsepower : 503 hp @ 5500 rpm

              MPG Combined : 17 mpg

              0-60 : 3.97 sec

              #10