2021 MERCEDES BENZ GLE SUV – $55,800.
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he 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-class offers a spacious, family-friendly cabin and off-road credentials. Three different powertrains are offered, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder in the GLE350 and graduating to a turbocharged inline-six in the GLE450 and a twin-turbo V-8 in the top-dog GLE580. The GLE-class has an adjustable air suspension that features a bouncing mode to help the SUV free itself from deep sand or mud—but these options can add up in a hurry. The GLE-class's cabin is spacious, luxurious, and comfortable, while the exterior styling transmits a signal of wealth and status that buyers expect of any car sporting the three-pointed star on its grille. Ambient interior lighting, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and SiriusXM satellite radio are standard.New this year is a parking damage detection system that notifies the owner via the Mercedes me smartphone app if the GLE is jostled while parked. The GLE350 models are powered by a 255-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine with either rear-or all-wheel drive (4Matic in Mercedes parlance) and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The GLE450 brings standard all-wheel drive and a 362-hp hybrid powertrain that consists of a turbocharged inline-six and a novel 48-volt electrical system. The 2020 GLE350 takes 6.6 seconds to reach 60 mph and the six-cylinder GLE450 managed a 5.3-second time. The 48-volt system combines with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 to make up to 504 horsepower. Every GLE-class can be outfitted with a cutting-edge air-suspension system that can lean into corners and even wiggle itself loose if the driver gets it stuck in sand or mud. The standard setup is traditional steel springs and anti-roll bars. The six-cylinder GLE450 rates 21/26/23 mpg city/highway/combined. The four-cylinder GLE350 rates 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined, while the GLE580 earns ratings of 17/22/19 mpg. The GLE350 4Matic returned 25 mpg, and the GLE450 4Matic delivered 23 mpg. The fine materials such as genuine leather, woods, and metals impart a sense of true luxury. Not only can the front seats be heated, but the armrests and center-console lid can too, quickly taking the chill out of a frigid winter morning. The spacious interior can now be outfitted with an optional third row of seats and features modern Mercedes technology, carries at least 11 carry-on suitcases in the cargo hold. With all seats folded to their flat positions, the GLE-class offers room for up to 26 carry-ons. Dual 12.3-inch infotainment displays offer several ways to interact with the system, including the MBUX voice-recognition system. Like Apple's Siri or Google's virtual assistant, MBUX can respond to many commands, thus enabling the driver to keep his or her hands on the wheel but still turn up the heat, switch on the ventilated-seat function, or tune to a specific radio station. A touchpad on the center console allows for tactile interaction with the infotainment system, and the screen is also touch-sensitive. Navigating is better done when the GLE-class is parked. Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot are all standard, which makes keeping up with calls, texts, and other communications while on the go a little easier.
