Makes›Mercedes-Benz›GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

12 model years from 2016 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Model years
2016–2027
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Latest engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Best MPG
20–25 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
0 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2016 (4)
Fewest problems
2023

The 2026 GLE-Class in brief

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is a small SUV offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 11% worse than the 2026 small SUV average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class has 12 model years in our data, from 2016 to 2027, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD.

Its most efficient year was 2016 at 25 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 20 to 25 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (2), unknown or other (2), vehicle speed control (1).

Buying used? 2024 has the fewest problems in our data.

How the 2016 GLE-Class compares

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is a standard SUV offered with 4 engines (3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.1L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl and 5.5L 8-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and 4-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 190 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,795 lb (350d 4matic).

2026 GLE-Class pros & cons

Full 2026 details →

What's good

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Best and worst years to buy used

Best year

2024 GLE-Class

0 owner complaints · 0 recalls

No clear problem year

None of the 9 model years we compared stands out for complaints or recalls.

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 9 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

Compare head to head

Compare the GLE-Class with any other car →

GLE-Class changes by model year

  1. 2026
    • No plug-in hybrid version any more
  2. 2025
    • New plug-in hybrid version
  3. 2024
    • Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl
    • Best combined MPG up from 22 to 24
  4. 2021
    • Engine added: 3.0L 6-cyl
  5. 2020
    • New hybrid version
    • Engines added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 4.0L 8-cyl turbo
    • Engine dropped: 5.5L 8-cyl turbo
    • Best combined MPG up from 20 to 22
  6. 2019
    • No plug-in hybrid version any more
    • Engine dropped: 3.5L 6-cyl
  7. 2017
    • No diesel version any more
    • Engine dropped: 2.1L 4-cyl turbo
    • Best combined MPG down from 25 to 21
    • Lightest version 232 lb heavier

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 12 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20272.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo23 MPG––Not rated00
20262.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo23 MPG––Not rated00
20252.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo23 MPG––Not rated00
20242.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo24 MPG––Not rated00
20233.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl22 MPG––Not rated00
20222.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl22 MPG––Not rated00
20213.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl23 MPG––Not rated00
20202.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 4.0L 8-cyl turbo22 MPG––Not rated01
20193.0L 6-cyl turbo, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo20 MPG189.8 in4,927 lbNot rated01
20183.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo21 MPG189.8 in4,927 lbNot rated01
20173.0L 6-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.5L 8-cyl turbo21 MPG189.8 in4,927 lbNot rated01
20163.0L 6-cyl turbo, 2.1L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl25 MPG189.8 in4,795 lbNot rated04
Best combined MPG by model year — Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
2016: 25 MPG2017: 21 MPG2018: 21 MPG2019: 20 MPG2020: 22 MPG2021: 23 MPG2022: 22 MPG2023: 22 MPG2024: 24 MPG2025: 23 MPG2026: 23 MPG2027: 23 MPG201620182020202220242026max 25 MPG

Alternatives to the 2026 GLE-Class

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2026 Tesla Model Y357 miNot rated8
2026 Land Rover Range Rover23 MPGNot rated5
2026 BMW X329 MPGNot rated2
2026 Porsche Macan21 MPGNot rated0
2026 Acura MDX22 MPGNot rated1
2026 Jaguar F-Pace24 MPGNot rated1

Most common owner-reported problems

Electrical System2
Unknown Or Other2
Vehicle Speed Control1
Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars1
Power Train1
Structure › Body1
Steering1
Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift1
Owner complaints by model year — Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
2016: 42017: 12018: 12019: 12020: 12021: 02022: 02023: 02024: 02025: 02026: 02027: 0201620182020202220242026max 4
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mercedes-Benz. How we calculate this →