Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE cost?

Prices have softened 10.49% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,650 listings available, which suggests you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $38,619.98, 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 an 8.00/10 expert rating. The model scores 10/10 across Performance, Technology, and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its technology, comfort, and premium feel, and they also like the customizable features and high-quality sound system. The trade-offs are familiar: some shoppers feel it is overpriced, heavier versions can feel less eager, and the ride can come across as stiffer than expected.

That lines up with the GLE’s role as a midsize luxury SUV that emphasizes comfort and technology, especially if you want a refined daily driver with broad powertrain choice. With 34.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable in the ways luxury buyers care about most: comfort, technology, and everyday livability. It also highlights a strong reputation for being a model you can count on for a premium ownership experience, even if some buyers question value.

The expert evaluation reinforces that sense of durability through its emphasis on a coil-sprung base setup for the GLE 350, which is the simplest suspension arrangement in the lineup. The cost-effectiveness discussion also notes that the first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that the more complex versions can bring higher repair and upkeep exposure than the simpler trims.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 84% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate, because accident-free status does not replace a full paper trail. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on higher-spec versions with more complex suspension and powertrain hardware. Focus your condition check on ride quality, electronics, and any signs that the vehicle has been heavily optioned or used hard.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base GLE 350 uses an ordinary coil-sprung setup, while higher trims can add AIRMATIC, AMG Ride Control+, or E-Active Body Control. The interior is richly finished, but you may need to option the vehicle higher to feel truly luxurious.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a rear-wheel-drive GLE 350, a turbocharged inline-six GLE 450, an AMG GLE 53 with an electric supercharger, a twin-turbo V8 GLE 580, and a GLE 63 S with the most power. Efficiency varies, with the GLE 450 returning 21/26/23 and the GLE 350 4Matic at 19/26/22.
• Safety package: Blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor are standard. Adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control are optional, and Pre-Safe Impulse Side is optional on higher trims.
• Infotainment: The main display is a 12-inch touchscreen with Interior Assistant, and it works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also supports touchpad and thumbpad control, plus a natural voice assistant.
• Fuel efficiency: The GLE 450 returns 21/26/23, the GLE 350 4Matic returns 19/26/22, the GLE 580 is rated at 16/21/18, and the AMG GLE 53 Coupe averaged 16 mpg.

Which 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE trim should I buy?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE is offered in 8 trim levels: GLE 350, GLE 450, GLE 580, AMG GLE 53, AMG GLE 63 S, AMG GLE 53 Coupe, AMG GLE 63 S Coupe, and GLE 350 4Matic.

Here's the short version:

• GLE 350: This is the entry point, and it makes the most sense if you want the least expensive way into the GLE lineup. It uses the simpler coil-sprung setup, but it is also the least powerful choice and the one most likely to feel basic next to the richer trims.
• GLE 350 4Matic: This is the better-value pick for most shoppers because it adds all-wheel drive while keeping the GLE’s core comfort and tech strengths intact. If you want the most balanced everyday version, this is the one to start with.
• GLE 450: This trim adds the turbocharged inline-six and the self-leveling AIRMATIC setup, which makes it a strong step up in refinement and capability. It is the sweet spot if you want more power without jumping into AMG pricing.
• GLE 580: This is the choice if you want the V8 experience and stronger straight-line performance. It suits you best if power matters more than value.
• AMG GLE 53: This trim brings the electric supercharger, AMG-tuned driving modes, and more aggressive hardware. It is the right pick if you want performance flavor without going all the way to the top AMG model.
• AMG GLE 63 S: This is the most extreme standard SUV version, with the most power and the most serious performance hardware. Buy it only if you want the full flagship AMG experience.
• AMG GLE 53 Coupe: Choose this if you want the coupe body style and the AMG 53 powertrain together. It is more about style and character than value.
• AMG GLE 63 S Coupe: This is the most dramatic and expensive version, combining the coupe shape with the top AMG setup. It is for buyers who want maximum presence and performance.

Blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor are standard, while several advanced driver-assistance features remain optional on higher trims.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,650 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.49% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 84.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $38,619.98, 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 $38,658 sits slightly below last year's $43,187.

That price movement suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy with less risk of immediate overpayment. For a future seller, that also means resale value may depend heavily on trim choice, condition, and how well the vehicle is equipped.

Because the GLE is a premium SUV with strong owner satisfaction and broad appeal, well-kept examples should continue to attract interest. The challenge is that luxury pricing and expensive options can narrow the buyer pool when it is time to sell.

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 2020 GLE, which is identical to the 2021 model, earned the best Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for scoring the top ratings in six crash tests, for headlights, and for its standard forward emergency braking.

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

Blind-spot monitoring and a driver attention monitor are standard, while adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, evasive steering assist, front cross-traffic braking, and semi-automated control are optional. Pre-Safe Sound is also standard, and it plays pink noise to help reduce hearing damage in a crash.

One important caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup, so you should confirm exactly which driver-assistance systems are fitted on the used example you are 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:

• 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 84% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.49% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines comfort, technology, and multiple powertrain choices in a broad, upscale lineup.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,727, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $38,658 average.
• It emphasizes quiet comfort, more interior space, and a strong infotainment setup.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $41,098, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $38,658 average.
• It leans harder into coupe-like style and a more expressive design.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of current pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and broad inventory, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 offers a lower entry price, while the 2022 makes sense only if you specifically want the newer styling direction and are willing to pay more.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.