I’m traveling along Alabama 20 at about 70 mph, 20 miles from my drive Mercedes GLE 2024 450e 4Matic and I just realized that the engine is not working. Checking the consumption display on the 12.3-inch central touchscreen shows that the new engine only starts twice, taking up less than a mile of the driveway.
When I arrived at my destination, the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa, the electric motor provided 39 out of 42 miles of thrust, the engine kicking in after running out of battery 23.3 kWh. The first GLE PHEV, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 350eonly 4.4 kwh battery can be used.
Official range estimates for the 450e aren’t available from the EPA yet, but it could roll in close to 40 miles.
The 450e highlights the updated GLE lineup for 2024, and it represents a step forward in plug-in hybrid technology that allows the luxury SUV to be driven like an EV more often.
Most plug-in hybrids have small engines with small batteries that provide a range of less than 30 miles and typically require the starter motor to assist the engine during acceleration or at highway speeds. However, the GLE 450e has enough electric power to drive in most cases and a sizable battery pack to provide enough electric range for most trips.
The engine only makes 134 horsepower, but it also makes 325 lb-ft of torque. It combines a 2.0-liter turbo-4 with 248 hp and 295 lb-ft for a total system output of 381 hp and 479 lb-ft. As the name suggests, the GLE 450e 4Matic comes standard with all-wheel drive.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic
In everyday traffic and with a charged battery, the electric motor can power the 450e all the time in the default Hybrid and Electric Mode available, and it just enhances the luxury experience. The electrical system operates smoothly and quietly, contributing to a sense of tranquility—a clear plus for a luxury vehicle. Moments of more pressing on the gas, such as accelerating to highway speeds and getting ahead of traffic at traffic lights, can turn on the engine but not necessarily. I was driving as usual when I ran out of battery within those 39 miles, and I would have to drop it on the floor to pass or hit 87 mph on the freeway to start the engine.
Drivers can also choose to harness substantial power from the entire powertrain. When floating, the 450e doesn’t feel as fast as the V-8, but it does hit 60 mph from a stop in the quoted 5.8 seconds. A heavy right foot approaches that power, and it’s even easier to reach in the available Sport mode, which holds gears longer for smooth nine-speed automatic shifts. The turbo-4 is noticeable at startup because it feels a bit rough and emits muffled noise compared to the smooth, silent electric motor.
Battery Hold mode maintains battery charge if you need quiet or zero-emission propulsion after a trip, and the sub-menu has an All-terrain mode that uses the precision of electric power to help overtake through low-speed off-road obstacles using only the electric motor. My trip with the 450e is just highway driving and I don’t need to save battery power so I don’t use either of these modes.
In addition to the consumption monitor, the 450e also features a charge and power flow monitor that can be used to monitor battery and power levels. The trip calculator also displays the mileage of the trip that is powered by electric power.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic
The run to the factory is the first leg of the route from Birmingham to Atlanta. While at the factory, the car received about 60% of the charge and the final trip total was 67 miles in electric range out of a total of 234 miles. Very few of us drive that far in a day, so the initial 39-mile of a 42-plus-mile drive is more suitable for a typical commute. The 450e charges in 2.5 hours on a 240 volt outlet and up to 60 kw on a DC fast charger, which will take about 10 minutes to charge from 20-100%.
Other powertrains that omit the charging port are mostly carried over, though most lineups get some sort of mild hybrid boost. The GLE 350 models have the same 2.0-liter turbo-4 as the 450e, but here it makes 255 hp, though it’s also aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that can add 20 hp. The GLE 450 uses a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that has been slightly improved this year. It makes 375hp compared to 362hp in the 2023 model, and it also gets an extra 20hp from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The GLE 580 models are equipped with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that produces 510 horsepower.
The AMG models also return. The GLE 53 uses a 3.0-liter turbo-6 for 429 hp, while the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 in the GLE 63 increases power to 603 hp. Both the AMG and GLE 580 get 21 hp from a mild hybrid system.
The other changes are mainly decorative. The nose of the GLE is revised with a slightly altered chrome line that bisects the grille, new details for the front outer air intakes and new interior details for the headlights. The taillights also get new interior details, and three new models for the standard 19-inch and 20-inch wheels are available.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic
Inside, the tech upgrade is more substantial. It still has a pair of 12.3-inch screens under a single pane of glass, but it now features a second generation of the brand’s MBUX infotainment system that improves both the hardware and the software. The central touchscreen is easy to use and streamlined, and the digital instrument cluster offers Sport, Classic, and Discreet display themes; The central area of the IP can be used to display the navigation screen, as well as information about the driver assistance system, terrain or vehicle services. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now also wireless, and the new steering wheel has touch controls on the spokes to control both screens.
Transparent hood view is available when off-road, and the camera-based Trailer Maneuver Assist can direct the steering at up to 3 mph to move the trailer forward or backward; it can be controlled via the central display and used to precisely position a trailer.
The new GLE plug-in, on the other hand, excels in every way we’ve come to expect from this luxury SUV mainstay. The four-corner air suspension helps to combat body roll and the adaptive dampers make the vehicle move more smoothly in the event of a crash and give the GLE better handling than a vehicle of its size. The interior is assembled from high-quality materials, creating a sense of comfort for the front and rear seat occupants.
Price not available for 2024 Mercedes GLEbut it will start at over $50,000 for the GLE 350. Expect the GLE 450e 4Matic to be at or above the $60,000 price tag for the current GLE 450 4Matic.
With a good-sized battery and a powerful engine, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 2024 is a great family car that can function as an EV more often than most of the plug-in hybrids we’ve seen. seen so far. It’s a smart way to save money pumping gas in EV mode while also delivering plenty of power in conjunction with the petrol engine when needed.
Mercedes-Benz paid Green Car Reports for travel and accommodation to bring you this direct report.
