Driving the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic SUV

I’ve driven hundreds of cars in my career and am not easily impressed. But this summer, I made it from Washington, D.C., to Asbury Park, New Jersey, and back without stopping for gas in the 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e and had range left over when I got home. That was a genuine joy.

Yes, I was in Asbury Park on the Fourth of July. No, I didn’t see him. But I did play pinball on the boardwalk for Bruce’s sake.

There are now so many midsize luxury SUVs that even we professionals, when asked to name them all, will forget that a few exist. But a week in Mercedes’ midsize crossover showed me what the company does well.

These days, one thing it does exceptionally well is build plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that stretch your transportation dollar. On my Independence Day road trip and a week of running around that little beach town, the plug-in version of the GLE gave me nearly 50 miles of all-electric range and more than 420 miles of gasoline range.

Which Trim Level

Mercedes divides GLE models by both powertrain and trim level. My tester was the GLE 450e 4Matic, with a PHEV powertrain pairing a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor. The two combine to make 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. 4Matic means all-wheel drive (AWD) in Mercedes.

My tester was the Exclusive trim level. It felt very luxurious, but remarkably, it’s the lesser of two trims. Pinnacle adds massaging seats, an air purification system, and a few other creature comforts. I didn’t miss them. Options on the test model included an Acoustic Comfort package with extra sound deadening and a Driver Assistance Package. See the window sticker below for complete details.

Favorite Feature

It’s hard to pick a single feature that stands out in a luxury car, but I remain astonished at how this car lets you avoid the gas pump.

PHEVs, in case the concept is new to you, are like hybrids in that they have both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. But unlike hybrids, they can use either one alone. They drive a certain distance on electric power, then use gasoline to go further. Mercedes claims the GLE 450e has an all-electric range of 48 miles. But, with a full charge, the meter read 55 for me. With a full tank of gas, it boasted 480 total miles.

I didn’t measure, but that tracks with my experience.

I’d be remiss, though, not to also note that my tester’s cabin was sumptuous in Bahia Brown and Black leather with Natural Grain Brown Walnut trim. It had the Old World wingback-chair-in-a-library-with-a-ladder luxury feel few European luxury cars aim for in this era of carbon fiber and engineered fabrics.

What It’s Like to Drive

Mercedes claims a 5.8-second zero-to-60 time for the GLE 450e. It felt quicker than that, though no one should be punching the throttle in a nearly 6,000-pound SUV often. The combination of strong low-end torque from the electric motor and highway cruising power from the gasoline engine means there’s never a moment this big thing feels big.

The electronically controlled Airmatic suspension lets you dial in the soft or firm ride you prefer. However, my tester came with an optional set of 21-inch wheels I would not buy in your shoes. They add $1,100 to the price and stiffness to the ride. I suspect the standard 20-inch set, with a more forgiving sidewall, makes for a more pleasant ride and is less likely to take damage from a pothole.

Brake feel has long been a weak spot for Mercedes hybrids; we’ve found the brake pedals a little spongy in the past. Mercedes seems to have fixed that problem here. Strangely, the GLE 450e seems to recover little energy from regenerative braking. As long as you’re plugging it in at home, that won’t be a problem.

Interior Comfort and Technology

This SUV’s cabin, all leather and walnut, is just beautiful. I’m not sure you’ll find a lovelier color combination at this price point. A brown-leather-and-wood Mercedes was once to be expected. The company has been fond of a more high-tech look in recent years, but I found this timeless combination refreshing.

The MBUX touchscreen interface works well, and I appreciate a row of nickel-look buttons underneath to control the HVAC system.

The surfaces may be timeless, but the GLE 450e has a few technologies that time should forget. This car is one of the last to offer a touchpad in the center console. Thankfully, you don’t have to use it for anything. The touchscreen and voice commands handle everything without it. But it wastes space.

Thankfully, the “Hey, Mercedes” voice command system lets you control many features without taking your hands off the wheel.

Some competitors offer more than the 13 speakers in this Burmester sound system. I’m not sure they’re any better, though. Twin subwoofers and a 590-watt, 9-channel amplifier make everything sound good.

Limitations

I liked the Manufaktur Signature Cote d’Azure Light Blue Metallic paint job of my tester, but it isn’t worth an extra $6,500. Count the $1,300 AMG Line Exterior Package and the $1,100 wheels, and you could save yourself nearly $9,000 by making a few different aesthetic choices here.

See 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic SUV inventory available