I’m cruising alongside on Alabama Freeway 20 at about 70 mph, 20 miles into my drive of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic, and I simply realized the engine isn’t on. A examine of the consumption show on the 12.3-inch middle touchscreen reveals the engine has solely been on twice, accounting for lower than a mile of the drive.

By the point I attain my vacation spot, the Mercedes-Benz manufacturing unit in Tuscaloosa, the electrical motor has supplied 39 of the 42 miles of propulsion, with the engine kicking in after the 23.3-kwh battery ran out of juice. The primary GLE PHEV, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 350e, had solely 4.4 kwh of usable battery.

The 450e’s official vary estimate just isn’t but obtainable from the EPA, nevertheless it would possibly roll in at near 40 miles.

The 450e highlights an up to date GLE lineup for 2024, and it represents a step ahead in plug-in hybrid know-how that lets the posh SUV be pushed as an EV way more typically.

Most plug-in hybrids have small motors with small batteries that present lower than 30 miles of vary and sometimes require the engine to come back on to assist the motor throughout acceleration or at freeway speeds. However the GLE 450e has ample electrical energy to drive the automobile in most cases and a reasonably large battery to offer it sufficient electrical vary for many commutes. 

The motor solely makes 134 hp, nevertheless it additionally produces a really wholesome 325 lb-ft of torque. It groups with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 248 hp and 295 lb-ft by itself for a complete system output of 381 hp and 479 lb-ft. Because the title suggests, the GLE 450e 4Matic comes customary with all-wheel drive.

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic

In on a regular basis visitors and with a charged battery, the electrical motor can energy the 450e always within the default Hybrid and obtainable Electrical modes, and it solely enhances the posh expertise. The electrical energy is buttery {smooth} and silent, which contributes to a way of calm—a particular plus for a luxurious automobile. Moments of heavier throttle software, resembling accelerating to freeway speeds and leaping out forward of visitors at a stoplight, would possibly activate the engine however not essentially. I used to be driving like I usually would once I bought these 39 miles of vary out of the battery, and I’d have needed to flooring it for passing or hit 87 mph on the freeway to make the engine begin.

Drivers can even select to faucet into substantial energy from the complete powertrain. When floored, the 450e doesn’t really feel as fast as a V-8, nevertheless it hits 60 mph from a cease in a quoted 5.8 seconds. A heavy proper foot will entry that energy, and it’s even simpler to faucet into within the obtainable Sport mode, which holds gears longer for the smooth-shifting 9-speed computerized transmission. The turbo-4 engine is noticeable when it begins as a result of it feels a bit of coarse and makes a muffled noise compared to the graceful, silent electrical motor.

A Battery Maintain mode maintains the battery’s stage of cost if you happen to want silent or emissions-free propulsion later within the journey, and a submenu has an Off-Highway Electrical Driving mode to make use of the precision of the electrical energy to assist creep over low-speed off-road obstacles utilizing simply the electrical motor. My journey with the 450e was solely a freeway run and I had no want to save lots of the battery, so I didn’t use both of those modes.

Along with the consumption show, the 450e has charging and vitality circulation screens that can be utilized to watch battery stage and the place the ability is coming from. The journey pc additionally shows what number of miles of the journey are run underneath electrical energy.

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic

The run to the manufacturing unit is the primary leg of a route from Birmingham to Atlanta. Whereas on the manufacturing unit, the automobile receives a few 60% cost and the ultimate journey totals are 67 miles of electrical vary over 234 complete miles. Few of us drive that far in a day, so the unique 39 miles of vary over 42 miles of driving is extra according to the standard commute. The 450e costs in 2.5 hours on a 240-volt outlet and at as much as 60 kw on a DC quick charger, which ought to take about 10 minutes to go from 20-100%.

The opposite powertrains that omit the cost port principally carry over, though a lot of the lineup will get some sort of mild-hybrid enhance. GLE 350 fashions get the identical 2.0-liter turbo-4 because the 450e, however right here it makes 255 hp, although it’s additionally aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that may kick in one other 20 hp. The GLE 450 makes use of a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 that’s barely improved this yr. It makes 375 hp in comparison with 362 hp within the 2023 mannequin, and it additionally has 20 hp of enhance from a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. GLE 580 fashions sport a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that cranks out 510 hp.

The AMG fashions additionally return. The GLE 53 makes use of a 3.0-liter turbo-6 good for 429 hp, whereas the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 within the GLE 63 turns up the wick to 603 hp. Each AMGs and the GLE 580 get a 21-hp kick from their mild-hybrid methods.

Different modifications are principally decorative. The GLE’s nostril is revised with a barely modified chrome line that bisects the grille, new particulars for the outer entrance air intakes, and new internals for the headlights. The taillights additionally get new internals, and three new patterns for the usual 19-inch and obtainable 20-inch wheels can be found.

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e 4Matic

Inside, the tech improve is extra substantial. It nonetheless has a pair of 12.3-inch screens underneath one piece of glass, however now it will get the second technology of the model’s MBUX infotainment system that improves each its {hardware} and software program. The middle touchscreen is simple to make use of and logically laid out, and the digital instrument cluster provides Sporty, Basic, and Discreet show themes; the IP’s central space can be utilized to show the navigation display screen, in addition to off-road, driver-assist system, or automobile service data. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are additionally now wi-fi, and the brand new steering wheel has touch-sensitive controls on the spokes to regulate each screens.

A clear hood view is accessible for off-roading, and a camera-based Trailer Maneuvering Help function can management the steering as much as 3 mph to maneuver a trailer in ahead or reverse; it may be managed by way of the middle display screen and used to exactly place a trailer.

In any other case, the brand new plug-in GLE excels in all of the methods we’ve come to count on from this luxurious SUV mainstay. A four-corner air suspension helps it counteract physique lean and adaptive dampers {smooth} over bumps and assist make the GLE deal with higher than a automobile of this dimension ought to. The inside is assembled from high-quality supplies and is snug for the entrance and rear seat occupants.

Costs aren’t but obtainable for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE, nevertheless it ought to begin within the higher $50,000s for the GLE 350. Anticipate the GLE 450e 4Matic to be at or above the higher $60,000 price ticket for the present GLE 450 4Matic.

With its good-sized battery and durable motor, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e is a superb household hauler that may act like an EV extra typically that a lot of the plug-in hybrids we’ve seen thus far. It’s a wise means to save cash on the fuel pump in EV mode whereas additionally providing loads of energy together with its fuel engine when wanted.

Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging for Inexperienced Automobile Studies to convey you this firsthand report.