Ever since Mercedes-Benz said its Goodbyes to the V6 naturally-aspirated engine and welcomed the turbocharged inline-six hybrid one, good things started happening. The new engine is now under the hoods of many Mercedes models, and somehow, it has completely different characters in each platform. Realistically, the Mercedes GLE 450 falls short in some areas, but it brings a lot to the table in terms of luxury, comfort, and value. We got behind the wheel of this 2022 Mercedes GLE 450 4Matic and took a long, long trip to see if it can maintain a smile on our faces, or if it's just another mid-size SUV.

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic

8.00 / 10
Key Features
  • Turbocharged Engine
  • Airmatic Suspension
  • AMG-Line Styling
Specifications
  • Model: GLE 450 4Matic
  • Engine/Motor: 3.0-Liter Inline-6 Turbo w/ Mild Hybrid Drive
  • Horsepower: 362 @ 5,500-6,100 RPM
  • Torque: 369 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500 RPM
  • Drivetrain: AWD
  • Transmission: 9-Speed Automatic
Pros
  • Great Performance From The Turbocharged Engine
  • Comfortable And Spacious Cabin
  • Smooth Transmission
  • Tons Of Driver's Assist Features
  • Panorama Roof
Cons
  • High MSRP When Fully-Equipped

Decent Performance For A Mid-Size SUV

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic Engine Cover
Photo by Bassem Girgis

The 2022 GLE 450 sports a 3.0-liter inline-6 turbocharged engine, which works collaboratively with a mild hybrid drive. The engine sends the power through the 9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission, and distribute it to all four wheels. Thanks to the hybrid drive, the GLE 450 is able to deliver peak torque at an extremely low 1,600 RPM. The turbocharger then takes over and maintains this peak torque until 4,500 RPM before torque starts going down. The mid-size SUV delivers 362 horsepower between 5,500 and 6,100 RPM, and 369 lb-ft of torque between 1,600 and 4,500 RPM. The engine and its power and torque outputs are identical to the Mercedes E450 we recently reviewed; however, due to the weight difference, the GLE 450 gets to the 60 mph mark from a stop in 5.5-seconds, while the E-class gets it done in 5.1-seconds. The weight difference and the way the SUV handles and delivers the power makes for a completely different experience. It's no secret the E450 will feel much faster, but the GLE 450 is no slouch either.

Sleeker Exterior Design

Let's face it, the old days of the Mercedes mid-size SUVs weren't the best days. Styling was not appealing, and improvements were minimal throughout the years. The GLE 450 is able to deliver far smoother styling, while maintaining that well-known front-end. While the front is much improved, it's still too resembling of the past. If you've owned a '90s Mercedes SUV, you know you want no memory of it. As you make your way to the rear, you will see a beautiful rear-end, with thing and sleek taillights. The taillights take inspiration from the S500, which we recently review. They have a similar shape, but they are much more conservative on the SUV. Looking like the S-class is never a bad thing. Overall, the exterior of the GLE 450 is boxy in all the right ways. The question is, has the styling evolved enough to compete with less expensive SUVs like the Kia Telluride? It certainly feels like the GLE is a great looking car, but it's definitely a slow evolution.

Related: Here's Why The All-Electric Mercedes EQS SUV Will Be A Global Favorite

Comfort And Function

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic Steering Wheel
Photo by Bassem Girgis

This should come at no surprise, but the cabin of the Mercedes GLE 450 is a nice place to be. The AMG-Line package brings beautiful Nappa leather to the interior, which is soft, luxurious, and comfortable. The theme of the interior is a combination of luxury and ruggedness. The cabin's flat gauge cluster, the handles on the center console, and the steering wheel really gives a G-Wagon inspired feel. Tough isn't the only theme, however, as this interior offers just as much in terms of sleek features. Dual 12.3-inch screens span from the center console to the gauge cluster and flow together ever so effortlessly. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are accessible through the screens, but only if you use the proper cable. One day, we won't have to use cables, but in the meantime, it seems like 50-percent of automakers are still committing to wires. You'd think that you can do without Apple CarPlay since this system comes with navigation, but you may want to think again and not forget your cable at home. We used the navigation on our road trip, and it turns out it sucks. It's confusing, hard to follow, and cannot compare to the Apple products, not in a million years. There isn't much to complain about in this cabin. It's spacious. In fact, it's extremely spacious in the back seat, that you will want to sit there rather than shotgun - given you didn't get the third-row option. The infotainment system is easy to use, and the driver's assist features are impressive.

A Joy To Take On A Road Trip

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic Exterior Rear
Photo by Bassem Girgis

We drove a total of 12 hours on our road trip, not counting the city driving for the rest of the week. This SUV truly shines on the open road. This doesn't mean it's not great on the road, but it has just enough driver aid features to make you relax and let the car do "most" of the work. We emphasize most, because this SUV doesn't like it when you keep your hands off the steering wheel for more than, say, 30-seconds at a time. We tried the adaptive cruise control, and it works brilliantly. It brings the car to a complete stop in bumper-to-bumper traffic, and adapts as you navigate the traffic and back to highway speeds without the need for the driver to touch either the brakes or the throttle. Speaking of throttle, despite the identical engine to the E450, we found a huge difference in response. There is quite the noticeable lag compared to the convertible E-class, but once you get past that fraction of a second, you will experience satisfying acceleration all the way to the mid-high range of the RPM.

Related: 2022 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury Review: An SUV You Need To Experience

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic Center Console
Photo by Bassem Girgis

The air springs and adaptive dampers make for quite the smooth highway drive. It's almost like driving on cloud. The same applies around corners. The GLE 450 handles like an SUV of a larger construction, like the Cadillac Escalade. It's floaty and sloppy around corners, but it gets the job done given you didn't tackle corners too hot. The reason we keep praising the highway manners of this SUV is largely due to optional features like the Acoustic Comfort package. This package adds insulation that will make for a quieter, more isolated cabin, not to mention an infrared-absorbing windshield. The overall feel of being behind the wheel is comfort and luxury. We averaged over 20 mpg on our road trip, and that's not bad for an SUV of this size. Despite the starting MSRP of $63,950, which is a no-brainer, our loner came with an $83,925 price tag. The question remains: is it worth this?

Related: Here's How The Mercedes-Benz G-Class Rose To Fame

Good Value With A lot Of Competition

2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic Gauge Cluster
Photo by Bassem Girgis

The 2022 Mercedes GLE 450 4Matic brings a ton of value to the table. Whether you are looking for convenience, comfort, capability, or luxury, this mid-size SUV will surely deliver. The problem is, most SUVs offer the same features, value, and luxury. It's no secret you are paying a little more for the brand, the reputation, and prestige. But let's face it, while Mercedes has a great reliability and durability reputation, their SUVs never really lived up to it. We are hopeful that this SUV will maintain its reliability. In the end, if you decide to look at the competition, you may not come back for the GLE. However, if you want to own a Mercedes and you want this SUV specifically, it won't disappoint you. You will get a comfortable and spacious SUV that looks good, drives better, and will make your life easier - you just have to pay for it.