Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE cost?

Prices have softened 9.39% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 2,616 listings available, you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare across trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $38,637.60, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earns a 4.5/5 user rating, and our experts give it an 8/10 overall score. The model scores 10/10 across Performance, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its technology, comfort, and premium interior feel, and they also like the customizable features and high-quality sound system. The overview points to a midsize luxury SUV that leans hard into comfort and technology, with multiple powertrain options giving it broad appeal.

The trade-offs are clear: the styling is described as uninspired, the base engine is underwhelming, and the price can be hard to justify. That makes it a stronger fit if you value a plush cabin and advanced features more than standout value or sporty character.

With 30.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there are still opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable in daily use, with praise centered on comfort, technology, and a premium experience that owners seem happy to live with over time. The expert drive notes that the base GLE 350’s ordinary coil-sprung setup makes the most sense for reliability, since it avoids expensive suspension complexity.

The cost-effectiveness notes also suggest that the GLE’s sophistication comes with a premium ownership profile, so long-term risk is less about outright durability than about potentially expensive repairs and upkeep if you buy a heavily optioned example.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 83.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper report. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on higher-trim or more complex versions where suspension, electronics, and luxury features can add repair cost. Focus on condition, option content, and whether the vehicle has been maintained consistently.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base GLE 350 is the only version with rear-wheel drive, while other trims add 4Matic all-wheel drive and more power. The cabin is richly finished, but the overview notes that advanced safety features are not standard, so lower trims may leave you wanting more equipment.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, and AMG-tuned versions with much higher output. The performance notes also say the hybrid setup mostly helps with smoothness and stop-start behavior rather than fuel savings.
• Safety package: Blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor are standard. Adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, semi-automated control, and 360-degree cameras are optional, so check carefully for the features you want.
• Infotainment: The main display is a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, and it includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also supports voice control and a touchpad interface, with a highly configurable display layout.
• Fuel efficiency: The six-cylinder GLE 450 returns 21/26/23 mpg, the four-cylinder GLE 350 4Matic returns 19/26/22 mpg, and the eight-cylinder GLE 580 is rated at 16/21/18 mpg. The AMG GLE 53 Coupe averaged 16 mpg in testing.

Which 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE is offered in 5 trim levels: GLE 350, GLE 450, AMG GLE 53, GLE 580, GLE 63 S.

Here's the short version:

• GLE 350: This is the entry point, and it’s the only rear-wheel-drive version. It makes the most sense if you want the lowest starting price and are comfortable with the simpler setup, but it is also the trim most clearly described as underwhelming in base form.
• GLE 450: This is the best-value choice for most shoppers because it adds the stronger inline-six and better efficiency than the V8 models without jumping all the way to AMG pricing. It’s the trim that best balances power, comfort, and everyday usability.
• AMG GLE 53: Choose this if you want a sharper performance feel and more aggressive hardware, including the electric supercharger setup and AMG-tuned driving modes. It suits you if performance matters more than value.
• GLE 580: This trim brings the twin-turbo V8 and a big jump in output, making it the right pick if you want effortless power and can accept the higher fuel and purchase costs.
• GLE 63 S: This is the top performance choice, with the most power and the most extreme hardware in the lineup. It’s for you if you want the most capable and most expensive version, not the best value.

Blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor are standard, while many other driver-assistance features remain optional across the lineup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to shop around but still enough demand to reward quick action on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,616 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.39% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 83.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $38,637.60, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE's resale value?

The current average of $39,011 sits slightly below last year's $43,055.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy more confidently today. For a future seller, it also means resale value will depend heavily on condition, mileage, trim, and equipment. Well-kept examples with desirable features should hold up better than heavily used or sparsely equipped ones.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE safe?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE earned the best Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

It earns a 10/10 safety score from our experts.

Blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor are standard, and the safety package can expand to include adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, semi-automated control, and 360-degree cameras. Pre-Safe Sound is also standard, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side is available on higher trims.

One important caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard, so you should verify exactly which driver-assistance systems are installed on any used example you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 30.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 83.6% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 9.39% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines a premium interior with standout technology and broad powertrain choice.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,919, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $39,011 average.
• It emphasizes a roomier cabin and quieter, more comfortable everyday driving.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $41,369, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $39,011 average.
• It leans harder into coupe-like style and a more expressive design.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of price, tech, and comfort, the 2021 is the better target. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the smarter value play; if you want a more style-forward version and can pay more, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.