New Mercedes GLE: 2019 SUV on sale now from £55,685

Mercedes' Audi Q7 rival is available to order now, with first UK deliveries scheduled for spring next year

Fresh from its Paris Motor Show debut, Mercedes-Benz has announced UK prices and spec details for its second-generation GLE, on sale now.

The BMW X5 rival is priced from £55,685 in GLE 300 d 4MATIC form, which replaces the old 250 d. It features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine making 242bhp and 369lb ft of torque, powering the SUV from 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 140mph. Claimed economy figures are 46.3mpg combined and CO2 emissions of 162g/km. 

Standard kit on all GLEs includes the new MBUX infotainment system, featuring two 12.3-inch displays and the MBUX Interior Assistant, an advanced voice control system. Also included is 20-inch AMG alloy wheels, active high beam assist, blind spot assist, privacy glass and heated leather seats.

The sole petrol option at launch is the GLE 450 4MATIC, priced from £62,300. It's powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine using the brand's 48V 'EQ Boost' mild-hybrid tech, producing 362bhp and 369lb ft of torque. 0-62mph is quoted at 5.7 seconds, and the top speed is 140mph. 33.6mpg is quoted, while it emits 191g/km of CO2 officially. 

The GLE 450 builds on the standard kit list with the seven-seat equipment line as standard. As well as the extra row of chairs, it brings electrically adjustable rear seats, extra USB ports and four-zone climate control.

The petrol powered car also features an advanced suspension system as standard, surpassing even that found on the flagship S-Class, and will feature a plug-in hybrid variant with a “particularly long range”, thought to offer more than 50 miles of electric-only travel.

Paris motor show 2018: live reports and updates

The new suspension system is a more advanced version of the Magic Body Control found on the S-Class. It is the first on sale where the spring and damping forces are individually controlled at each wheel, counteracting not only body roll but also pitch and squat.

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupe: preview released

Meanwhile, the long-range diesel plug-in hybrid, set to arrive after the launch of the GLE early next year, is a dramatic development of the original GLE plug-in hybrid, which offered a range of up to 18 miles.

The BMW X5 rival will be launched in the UK with an in-line six-cylinder petrol engine and a 48V motor, the same unit as seen as in the new CLS, and a 2.0 four-cylinder diesel. More variants, including the plug-in hybrid, will follow. All will use a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

The GLE 450 4Matic will produce 362bhp and 369lb ft, with a further 21bhp and 184lb ft available for short periods via EQ Boost, which uses the 48V system.

Mercedes claims the GLE’s 4Matic all-wheel drive “ensures great agility on road and superior performance off the beaten track”. The system controls the torque distribution between the front and rear axle from 0% to 100% depending on the driving mode. The optional Offroad package has fully variable all-wheel drive with low and high range available, a feature that Mercedes says is a world first.

The GLE uses the car maker’s MHA (Modular High Architecture) platform. which is heavily related to the MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform that underpins the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class. However, the MHA has been created to ensure a high ground clearance for SUVs.

The model has more space than its predecessor, with a considerably longer wheelbase at 2995mm, an increase of 80mm, which means second-row leg room is increased by 69mm to 1045mm. The second row of seating is fully adjustable electronically, controlled by a switch in the door panel. The GLE is also offered for the first time with the option of a third row, adding two extra seats.

The interior includes two 12.3in digital displays as standard, as recently launched in the new A-Class. There is a multi-function steering wheel with touch panels and a larger touchpad in the centre console replaces the rotary dial on the outgoing GLE.

The instruments and infotainment system operate via the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) interface that supports conversational speech and information gathering via the Mercedes Me app.

The GLE also introduces the latest generation of Mercedes’ driving assistance systems, including Active Tailback Assist, which recognises tailbacks early on and reduces speed to 62mph as a precaution. Once in the tailback, the car can autonomously keep in lane and maintain a safe distance in speeds of up to 37mph.

A GLE 63 variant and GLE Coupé will follow the launch of the GLE, as will additional engine variants. Expect to hear more about those models next year. 

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