There are lots of crossover SUVs available to choose from. Too many, arguably — in that so many are so much the same.
One that isn't is the same old same old is the Mercedes GLE.
What It Is
The GLE looks like a midsize crossover SUV with seats for five or seven — depending on the configuration — which it is. But it's also one of the few of its kind that's built on a rear-drive (rather than front-wheel-drive) layout, as most crossover SUVs are.
Prices start at $56,150 for the GLE 350, which is rear-drive as it comes and comes standard with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. You can add all-wheel drive (Mercedes calls its system "4Matic") if you'd like more rainy-snowy day grip.
So equipped, the MSRP is $58,650.
The GLE 450 comes standard with the 4Matic system, as well as a much more powerful turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six/mild hybrid powertrain.
It stickers for $63,950.
If the six in the GLE 450 isn't powerful enough, a more powerful version of this engine is available in the GLE 53, which also comes standard with a number of additional upgrades, such as a 20-inch wheel/tire package, high-capacity brakes, trim specific to this model and a premium Burmester audio system.
This one will set you back $74,150.
If you'd like to get set back in the seat just a bit more firmly, the GLE 580 has you covered with a turbocharged V8 that gets you close to 500 horsepower. But if that's not quite enough for you, there is the ultimate GLE.
That one being the GLE 63 S. It comes standard with a 603-horsepower version of the V8 — which is enough power to move this crossover SUV from rest to 60 in 3.7 seconds.
It stickers for $116,850.
What's New
Automatic high beams are now standard in all GLEs, while the scent dispenser system (Air Balance) is no longer available in the base GLE 350 trim.
What's Good
Four, six — or eight.
Five — or seven (seats).
Rear-drive or all-wheel drive.
What's Not So Good
Only the four is available with rear-drive.
The standard four isn't much for what you spend.
The six — and eight — require you to spend a lot more.
Under The Hood
This pretty big crossover SUV comes standard with a comparatively little engine. In this case, a 2.0-liter four that manages 255 horsepower — enough to get this pretty big crossover SUV to 60 in about 7 seconds.
You can also get this version of the GLE in rear-drive, if you don't want all-wheel drive — and would rather not pay extra for it.
If more engine is wanted, one can upgrade to the GLE 450 and get a 362 horsepower six, paired with a flywheel generator/starter system that boosts on-demand power for schnell acceleration — zero to 60 in about five seconds — while also cycling the six off as often as possible, so as to just about match the overall gas mileage of the GLE with the four. The latter rates 19 city, 27 on the highway — with rear-wheel drive. The GLE 450 with AWD (and 107 more horsepower) rates 20 city, 25 highway.
Mercedes also offers a stronger (429 horsepower) version of the six in the GLE 53, but the big kahuna, so to speak, is the V8-powered version of the GLE 580, which comes with a 483-horsepower, 4.0-liter V8.
And if that's insufficient, Mercedes offers a 603-horsepower version of the 4.0 V8 in the GLE 63 S.
On The Road
What makes the GLE different?
Chiefly, what's under the hood. And where what's made there goes.
The four isn't a powerhouse — and isn't much different from the same-size fours in so many others. But it isn't transversely mounted and doesn't drive the front wheels.
It is mounted front-to-back and send its power to the rear wheels, just as in sports cars. The feel of this form of power delivery is very different from that of its opposite — and not only in terms of acceleration from a standstill, though that feels better, too. In the curves, the rear-drive machine feels more weighted — and thus, balanced — because it is. The transverse-engined/front-drive car is literally more nose-heavy and for that reason not as balanced. It is also not possible with FWD to weight the rear wheels (and thus establish balance) by pushing down on the gas in the curves.
This is why FWD vehicles tend to understeer when pressed.
AWD corrects for this — but it also takes a bit away from the fun of this.
And the fun amps up considerably if you go for the GLE 450, notwithstanding the standard AWD. Another 100-plus horsepower makes up for that.
At The Curb
Benz offers the GLE with the option to add a third row. Or the option to skip it, in favor of more room for cargo behind the second row. The GLE's main rival — the BMW X5 — is similarly configured, but there's one important difference.
The Mercedes sits almost two inches closer to the road than the X5. This makes it more car-like to get into than the X5, though the X5 would probably do better in snow driving than the Benz on account of having 8.7 inches of ground clearance versus 7.1 for the GLE.
A single large LCD array encompasses most of the upper dash. You don't have to touch anything to change various settings; just ask the Mercedes to change the radio station, make a call or turn on the seat heaters.
The Rest
One more difference is how much this Benz can pull versus its main rival, the X5. The BMW pulls more with its standard six-cylinder engine — 7,200 pounds — as opposed to just shy of 6,000 pounds for the GLE 350 with its standard four-cylinder engine.
However, the Benz pulls more than the BMW when equipped with its optional six, to the tune of 7,700 pounds.
The Bottom Line
It may not look all that different, but there are differences.
Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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