Mercedes-Benz GLE vs Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class presented a subtle evolution in its aesthetics. While difficult to spot at first, the enhancements were noteworthy. Sharper headlights and taillights along with new black fender flares over the wheel arches provided a sleeker profile. The grille was adorned with attractive chrome inserts, which added a touch of sophistication. The optional AMG Line package, which our tester included, brought a further sporty edge to the exterior, thanks to its distinctive grille design. Standard 19-inch wheels looked impressive, but the optional 21-inch wheels were a showstopper. For those seeking more sex appeal, the GLE coupe, available exclusively in the Mercedes-AMG guise, offered dynamic styling akin to the GLE but sacrificed some interior space for its sporty contours. Inside, the GLE's cabin was unmistakably Mercedes-Benz, teeming with premium materials like leather and soft-touch surfaces. While not as futuristic as the all-electric EQ counterparts, the cabin maintained an aura of luxury. The open-pore walnut trim was a highlight, although it paired less ideally with the Bahia Brown seating surfaces in our test model, creating a somewhat dated aesthetic reminiscent of a 1970s rec room. Opting for lighter leather could resolve this design clash. In contrast, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class embodied the modern Mercedes design ethos that aged gracefully due to its subtle sensuality. Our GLS 450 tester boasted stunning bright-finish 22-inch AMG rims that complemented the SUV’s new silver four-louver grille, polished metal accents, and lustrous Twilight Blue paint. Despite the prevalence of blacked-out aesthetics in modern trends, this choice of finish exuded sophistication and timelessness. Inside, the GLS 450 radiated luxury with the new Bahia Brown over Black interior color scheme and natural-grain Grey Oak trim. Polished aluminum accents and rich detailing added to the Mercedes' reputation for high-quality interiors. The interior offered a comfortable, visually pleasing environment, complemented by the extensive options available for personalizing the cabin space.

For performance-oriented buyers, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class offered a versatile range of powertrains. Choices included the entry-level GLE 350 with 255 horsepower, the mid-range GLE 450 featuring a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, and the top-tier GLE 580 with a potent 4.0-liter V8—all paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Our test vehicle, the 450e, utilized a new plug-in hybrid powertrain. The 450e housed a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 381 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in hybrid mode. Notably, the GLE 450e, while slightly slower to 60 mph compared to the GLE 450 due to its 23.3-kWh battery weight, offered respectable acceleration and emphasized efficiency. Mercedes claimed a substantial 48 miles of all-electric range for the 450e, and our test surprisingly showed 55 miles. The GLE 450e defaulted to all-electric mode with enough battery, offering seamless transitions between electric and hybrid driving modes, although the sport mode added little to its dynamics. The 450e provided a smooth, comfortable driving experience conducive to everyday commutes rather than sporty thrills. Charging the battery was efficient, with an 11-kW charger achieving full charge in under three hours on a Level 2 charger, with the option for a 60-kW DC fast charge. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class GLS 450 featured a robust 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The engine paired with a mild-hybrid system that delivered an additional 148 lb-ft of torque instantaneously, giving the GLS a lively feel off the line. Mercedes claimed a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds for this model, and it delivered a pleasant driving experience with smooth and seamless power delivery. A nine-speed automatic transmission and variable 4Matic all-wheel-drive system complemented the engine, with adjustable drive modes including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual. The GLS 450 showcased an impressive towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and an official 21 mpg combined fuel economy rating, which we found to be slightly optimistic as our mixed driving yielded 19.9 mpg. Driving the GLS 450 felt luxurious with commendable isolation from road noise and vibrations. The adaptable air suspension adjusted perfectly to the terrain, even tackling twisty mountain roads and rough patches with ease. The sizable tires contributed to its impressive grip and stability, although they did pick up some road grit, causing minor noise within the wheel wells. Braking performance was excellent, ensuring confidence in both urban and rugged settings.

Inside the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, the focus was on comfort and convenience. Standard heated front seats, along with optional ventilation and massage functions, elevated the luxury experience. Features like heated and cooled cup holders, customizable ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, and soft-close doors added to the upscale feel. The cabin remained remarkably quiet even on loud highways, and the Burmester stereo system provided exceptional audio quality. However, the fixed sun visors were a minor annoyance in an otherwise well-thought-out interior. The GLE-Class excelled with its cargo capacity, offering 31.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.9 cubic feet with the second row folded. Additionally, the available Trailer Maneuvering Assist technology enhanced towing capabilities, allowing the GLE to tow up to 7,700 pounds. In the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, luxury and practicality were balanced well. The test vehicle’s AMG Line package added stylish yet somewhat obstructive side sill trims, which could soil clothing during entry and exit. The front seats were a highlight, offering plush leather surfaces, heating, venting, massage functions, and a wide range of adjustments for optimal comfort. The new steering wheel, despite its touch-sensitive controls, was pleasant to grip. The second row featured no-cost optional captain’s chairs with excellent thigh support and legroom, along with a standard panoramic sunroof. Heated rear seats and four-zone automatic climate control ensured all passengers could find their comfort zone. However, accessing the third row was cumbersome, requiring patience to either maneuver between the captain’s chairs or wait for the powered right-side chair, which was especially inconvenient in adverse weather. Third-row seating offered limited space for adults but was adequate for children. Storage space inside the GLS was decent, with practical cargo capacities of 17.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 42.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 84.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class featured a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch MBUX infotainment screen. While not as expansive as those in the EQS or S-Class PHEV, the MBUX system was still robust with a user-friendly menu structure. The touchpad on the center console offered an alternative to direct screen interaction, and voice command functionality via “Hey, Mercedes” streamlined operations. Smaller touchpads on the steering wheel were available but noted for their finicky operation. A notable tech feature was the augmented reality navigation system, which overlaid navigational aids on a video feed, enhancing clarity at confusing intersections. The off-road information page provided comprehensive data such as altitude, heading, and tire temperature, along with a transparent hood feature displaying terrain beneath the vehicle. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available but inconsistencies with our iPhone made connectivity unreliable. However, the numerous USB-C ports offered ample power for device charging. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class built on its technological prowess with an improved MBUX system. Dual 12.3-inch screens for the digital instrumentation and infotainment were seamlessly integrated, delivering a sleek and high-tech appearance. The updated MBUX provided customizable graphics and themes, further enhancing user experience. However, touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel and central touchpad were prone to accidental contact, causing occasional disruptions and frustrations. Despite these minor drawbacks, MBUX excelled with its intuitive operation, natural voice recognition, and augmented reality navigation. The comprehensive technology suite, including the standard Burmester surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos, underscored the GLS’s tech-savvy appeal.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, equipped with an array of advanced driver-assistance features. Standard blind-spot monitoring could be upgraded to active intervention through the Driver Assistance Package Plus. This package, costing an additional $2,000, included lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist, and lane-change assist. The adaptive cruise control was particularly effective. The GLE had not been fully rated by the NHTSA but received a five-star rating for side crashes and four stars for rollover. The IIHS awarded it top ratings of "Good" in crashworthiness categories and "Acceptable" for headlights with the Digital Light package. The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class also boasted extensive safety features, with many adjustable through the MBUX system. Customizability reduced irritation by allowing drivers to personalize settings for alerts and assistance interventions. This adjustability contributed to a more relaxed driving experience. The forward-collision warning system was subtle yet effective, the lane-departure warning system provided distinct haptic feedback, and the lane-keeping assist intervened only when necessary. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist performed exceptionally well on varied driving routes, maintaining subtle and smooth adjustments. The GLS’s ADAS suite proved reliable and minimally intrusive, enhancing overall driving confidence.