As a seasoned auto repair expert and content creator for mercedesbenzxentrysoftwaresubscription.store, I recently had the opportunity to test drive the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450. My mission was simple: provide honest feedback for a friend in Mercedes-Benz sales, leveraging my experience with German automotive brands, particularly Porsche, and my recent acquisition of a BMW X5 50i M-Sport. Having a keen appreciation for performance and luxury, especially in German engineering, I approached this GLE 450, priced around $72,000, with high expectations. However, my initial impression left me searching for the quintessential Mercedes-Benz magic – the kind that might truly resonate with even the most dedicated “2001 Mercedes S-class Exhaust Addicts” and fans of the marque.
Frankly, the “wow” factor was absent. The GLE 450 presented a rather ordinary aesthetic, with black plastic fender trim that cheapened its appearance. Unlike the enchanting allure of a new E-Class, this model felt surprisingly bland. Despite its price point, it featured only a moonroof, not the panoramic roof one might expect. The design, while recognizably GLE, didn’t feel like a sophisticated extension of the E-Class lineage. Elements like the top buttons and dome light in the headliner struck me as noticeably low quality.
Driving the GLE 450, I found it softer than previous generations, with acceleration that could only be described as average. Considering this is positioned as the mid-to-top engine variant (450), the performance was underwhelming. In a direct comparison, the BMW X5 40i outclasses it in power delivery without question. Imagine the X5 40i in ‘Eco mode,’ and you get a sense of the GLE 450’s general responsiveness. Even cycling through different driving modes, I struggled to detect any significant change in the exhaust note. Only when pushing the pedal aggressively did a faint rasp emerge. For enthusiasts who appreciate the auditory feedback of a powerful engine, those “exhaust addicts” who remember the rumble of a 2001 S-Class, the GLE 450’s sound profile is likely to disappoint.
Moving inside, the center console offered a clever design detail – a closable cover to conceal the cupholders, a touch more refined than exposed cupholders in some German SUVs. However, the tactile experience of the center console controls fell short of the BMW X5’s premium feel. The plastic vent dials felt lightweight and cheap in operation, a sentiment that extended to much of the interior. While not overtly poor, the interior lacked the luxurious, high-end ambiance expected in a vehicle in this class, especially when benchmarked against the comparable BMW X5. The plain black leather seats appeared ordinary, more akin to a $40,000 SUV, certainly not befitting a vehicle priced at $70,000 or more. The overall impression was “near luxury,” failing to match the E-Class standard it’s supposed to embody in SUV form. For buyers cross-shopping with the Lexus RX, the GLE’s shortcomings might steer them towards the Lexus, which could offer a more compelling value proposition.
In contrast to the GLE 450’s underwhelming presence, my pre-purchase comparisons, including the Porsche Cayenne S, Range Rover, and Audi Q8, highlighted the BMW X5 50i as superior. The X5 50i stood out as the most potent, dynamically engaging, and technologically advanced SUV in the group. This isn’t from BMW brand loyalty; my ownership history leans heavily towards Audi and Porsche, with a Ferrari and Rolls-Royce sprinkled in. My prior BMW experience was limited to a mid-90s M3 before the current X5.
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450, even in its AMG 53 guise, seems unlikely to compete with the SUVs I considered. While a GLE 63 AMG test drive is pending, my initial encounter with the 450 suggests a fundamental platform issue. It feels as though Mercedes-Benz might have missed the mark with the GLE series, perhaps targeting a different demographic, one less concerned with the visceral excitement that “exhaust addicts” and performance enthusiasts crave. My takeaway? The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 delivers an “average and unimpressive execution,” a sentiment that might particularly resonate with those passionate about the powerful heritage of Mercedes-Benz, including the iconic sound and performance associated with models like the 2001 S-Class.
