[Test Drive] Smooth on the road, grips tight in corners... Mercedes-Benz GLE 450

GLE Awaits a Facelift
Still Popular in Its Fourth Year on the Market
Mild-Hybrid Powertrain Delivers Strength and Smoothness

Mercedes-Benz will launch the second facelift of its large SUV, the GLE, later this year. The GLE is a popular model that regularly ranks among the top two imported large SUVs in sales. Ahead of the facelift, we drove through Seoul and its surrounding areas to find out why the GLE is so popular and what aspects leave room for improvement.

Smooth Acceleration and Confidence-Inspiring Cornering

The test vehicle was the GLE 450 4MATIC. It combines a 2,998 cc inline-six gasoline engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system. The engine produces 381 horsepower and 51 kgf-m of torque, and the vehicle is equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. It takes 5.6 seconds to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h.

The first advantage I noticed while driving in Seoul was the quiet cabin. Engine vibrations and noise, which are often noticeable in SUVs, did not carry into the cabin to any great extent. The vehicle also moved smoothly in the city, where I repeatedly stopped and started. When I pressed the accelerator, it quickly moved forward without a delayed response or any sense of struggling to pick up speed.

Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC exterior. Photo by Lee Seungjin.

The ride quality was also better than expected. The AIRMATIC air suspension, which adjusts the suspension to suit road conditions and driving environments, seemed to filter out much of the impact when crossing speed bumps. It was not as smooth as a large sedan, but it was quite comfortable considering the vehicle's high-riding SUV design.

In corners, however, the GLE revealed a different character. When accelerating through a bend, it felt less like the body was swaying and more like the vehicle was gripping the road firmly as it turned. The confidence inspired by the all-wheel-drive system and suspension made it feel as though the vehicle would remain composed even when taking corners at higher speeds.

Ambient Lighting Impresses, but Some Details Disappoint

Inside, Mercedes-Benz's signature ambient lighting created a luxurious atmosphere. I was particularly impressed by the thoughtful detail of the cabin lighting changing from blue to red when I raised the temperature of the climate control. Connecting the driver's actions with the cabin's ambiance made for a satisfying experience.

The generous interior space was another advantage. Opening the panoramic sunroof made the second row feel even more open.

However, some details left room for improvement. Despite the vehicle costing well over KRW 100 million, the steering wheel was made of plastic rather than leather, making it difficult to find the luxurious feel I expected in its grip. This was especially disappointing given that drivers keep their hands on the steering wheel throughout a drive.

Interior of the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC. Lee Seungjin, reporter.

The small vanity mirror left a similar impression. The vehicle is large, and luxurious touches have been added throughout the cabin, but some components used in everyday situations seemed to lack attention to detail. With a high-priced premium vehicle, buyers expect even these details to meet the standards its price suggests.

The Auto Hold function was also inconvenient. It is activated by pressing the brake pedal once more after stopping, but during the test drive, the system often failed to register whether it had been activated. In Seoul, with its many traffic lights, repeatedly operating the brake caused fatigue to build up in my ankle.

While driving, I also felt the steering wheel momentarily turn sharply when only one wheel passed over a slight dip in the road, such as a manhole cover. This was particularly noticeable at low speeds.

I was also disappointed that changing the driving mode did not alter the instrument-cluster graphics and that the display was relatively small compared with those in recently launched vehicles.

Fuel Costs and the Upcoming Facelift Add Uncertainty

The fuel economy I recorded during the test drive was 7.9 km/L. Since most of the driving was in the city, it is difficult to compare this directly with the official combined fuel economy figure. Still, given that the vehicle requires premium gasoline, I came away thinking that running costs could be considerable.

The GLE 450 4MATIC costs KRW 129 million. The AMG Line is priced at around KRW 139 million. At this price point, buyers need to carefully consider not only driving performance and comfort, but also ease of use, the quality of interior materials, and running costs.

The GLE 450 4MATIC brings together a quiet cabin, smooth acceleration, and stable cornering. It is an appealing option for buyers looking for a vehicle that offers comfortable city driving while delivering strong performance when needed. With the facelift approaching, the size of the discount on the current model is expected to be another factor influencing consumers' decisions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.