2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE

The 2018 GLE continues to shine in the Mercedes-Benz family of SUVs. The AMG GLE43 receives a bump in power for 2018 to an impressive 385 hp (+23 hp). Additional wood trims are also available for 2018 on the AMG GLE63 and AMG GLE63 S.

For 2018, the Mercedes-Benz GLE line includes the GLE350, available in either rear-wheel-drive or 4MATIC, with a V6 gasoline engine (302 hp, 273 lb-ft); the GLE550e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid (436 combined hp, 479 combined lb-ft); AMG GLE43 (385 hp, 382 lb-ft), AMG GLE63 (550 hp, 516 lb-ft) and the GLE63 S, with its range-topping 577 hp and 561 lb-ft of torque.

The GLE550e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid powertrain uses a direct-injection 3.0L V6 plus an electric motor. The lithium-ion battery allows an electric-only range of more than 10-miles, and predictive energy management, which uses the navigation system to optimize gas/electric/hybrid operation.

The AMG GLE43 boasts an AMG-enhanced 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission. The remainder of the GLE line is equipped with a 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission that provides an exemplary combination of performance, efficiency and quiet, responsive driving.

The mbrace Connect package includes Mobile App, Web Services, Roadside Connection, MB Apps (non-streaming), Vehicle Homepage (EVs), Diagnostics Data and Remote Update for five years.

The Mercedes GLE lineup provides comfortable seating for five and also offers generous carrying capacity, with 38.2 cu-ft of cargo space behind the rear seats and 80.3 cu-ft with the rear seatbacks lowered. A standard power liftgate makes loading and unloading cargo easy.

Adaptive Highbeam Assist uses a small video camera to sense both headlights and taillights, then softly and automatically transitions between high and low beam operation to avoid blinding other drivers. With this system, the range of the headlights can be varied infinitely from their current 220 feet to up to 1,000 feet.