Best Car Reviews - 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 4matic

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Introduction

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 4MATIC is a five-seat luxury midsize SUV aimed at buyers who want confident all-weather traction, brisk V6 performance and traditional Mercedes-Benz comfort. It is the final model year of the W166-generation GLE SUV, and it stands out with a newly standard twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, 4MATIC all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

Design and Exterior Features

The GLE400 has a substantial, upright SUV profile with a long hood, high beltline and a practical square roofline that favors passenger and cargo space. Its styling is more conservative than the newer GLE that followed, but the large grille, sculpted sides and wide stance give it a suitably premium road presence. For 2019, the major change was beneath the bodywork: the GLE400 name replaced the previous GLE350 and brought substantially more turbocharged power.

Standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive for traction in rain, snow and loose surfaces.
19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels on the GLE400 SUV.
Power liftgate and roof rails support everyday family and travel use.
Available active LED headlamps and Adaptive Highbeam Assist.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin combines a high seating position with broad, supportive front seats and a roomy second row. Soft-touch surfaces, wood or metal-look trim choices and available leather upholstery create an upscale atmosphere, although the dashboard design and infotainment hardware feel older than those in later Mercedes SUVs. The practical body shape delivers useful rear-seat access and cargo versatility, while the ride is generally quiet and composed on longer journeys.

Five-passenger layout with a spacious, easy-to-access rear bench.
Power front seats with available heating, ventilation and memory settings.
Dual-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic sunroof were available.
Split-folding rear seats add flexibility for luggage and larger items.

Performance and Handling

The 2019 GLE400 4MATIC uses a direct-injected, twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 with 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Its 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic sends power to all four wheels, giving the SUV strong passing performance and Mercedes-Benz quoted 0-60 mph acceleration of 5.9 seconds. Four-wheel multilink suspension with selective damping helps it feel secure on highways and controlled around town, though it is a large, heavy SUV rather than a sharp sports crossover. Canadian fuel-consumption figures list 13.5 L/100 km city, 10.3 L/100 km highway and 12.1 L/100 km combined; premium gasoline is required.

329-hp 3.0-litre biturbo V6 with direct injection.
354 lb-ft of torque available from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm.
9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic with steering-wheel shift paddles.
Mercedes-Benz quoted 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds.
Maximum towing capacity of up to 7,200 lb when properly equipped.

Technology and Connectivity

The GLE400 uses Mercedes-Benz’s earlier-generation COMAND interface rather than the newer MBUX system. A standard 7-inch display and console controller handle audio and vehicle settings, while available COMAND navigation upgrades the display to 8 inches and adds a touchpad controller and voice control. Bluetooth audio streaming, HD Radio and available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide useful phone integration, although the interface requires more familiarization than modern touchscreen systems.

Standard 7-inch central display with console-mounted controller.
Available COMAND navigation, 8-inch display and touchpad controller.
Bluetooth, HD Radio and available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Available harman/kardon or Bang & Olufsen surround-sound systems.

Safety Features

Standard equipment includes a rearview camera and radar-based Active Brake Assist, which can warn of an impending frontal collision and may initiate braking. Available packages added more sophisticated highway, parking and blind-spot assistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2019 GLE-Class Good ratings in its major crashworthiness evaluations, and designated qualifying versions with the optional front crash-prevention system and specific headlights as a Top Safety Pick+.

Standard Active Brake Assist and rearview camera.
Available Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist.
Available blind-spot, lane-keeping and rear-collision preparation systems.
Available Active Parking Assist and Surround View System.
Good IIHS crashworthiness ratings in key tested categories.

Pricing and Variants

The 2019 GLE400 4MATIC SUV started at approximately $55,700 in the United States before destination charges and options; published original-MSRP listings that include destination can be higher. The regular GLE SUV range included the GLE400 4MATIC, while AMG GLE43 and V8-powered AMG GLE63 models offered progressively more performance. Against rivals such as the BMW X5, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Lexus RX, the GLE400 offers especially strong V6 acceleration and a classic Mercedes character, but its cabin technology reflects the age of the outgoing generation.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Strong twin-turbo V6 acceleration for a luxury SUV.
Standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive inspires confidence in poor weather.
Comfortable, quiet and practical five-seat cabin.
High 7,200-lb maximum towing rating when properly equipped.
Broad availability of driver-assistance and luxury options.

Cons

Premium-fuel consumption is high by modern midsize-SUV standards.
COMAND infotainment feels dated beside newer touchscreen systems.
Options can raise both purchase price and future repair exposure.
Large dimensions make tight urban parking less convenient.
Out-of-warranty Mercedes-Benz parts and labor can be costly.

Maintenance and Common Issues

Repair-cost data estimates average annual maintenance and repair spending for a Mercedes-Benz GLE400 at about $1,186, although actual cost varies greatly with mileage, service history, location and whether work is performed by a specialist or dealer. There is not enough verified owner-report volume to rank five definitive 2019-only failure patterns, so a used-car inspection should focus on the concerns most often discussed for this model and generation: battery or other electrical warnings, infotainment or connectivity faults, cooling-system leaks or water-pump concerns, oil seepage around engine components, and air-suspension issues on vehicles equipped with AIRMATIC. Buyers should also check the VIN for completed recall work and obtain a complete service history.

Rating

Overall rating: 8.0/10. Design: 8.0/10; comfort: 8.5/10; performance: 8.5/10; technology: 7.0/10; safety: 8.5/10. The GLE400 remains an appealing used luxury SUV because its powertrain and comfort are strong, but its older technology and long-term ownership costs require consideration.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly praises the GLE400’s quiet ride, strong acceleration, secure handling and family-friendly comfort. Satisfaction tends to be highest among owners with documented maintenance and well-equipped examples, while criticism most often concerns the learning curve of the infotainment system, electronics and the cost of premium-brand upkeep.

Owners frequently value the smooth, strong V6 and effortless highway passing.
Comfort, cabin quietness and supportive seating are recurring strengths.
Many appreciate the confident feel of 4MATIC in changing weather.
Some find the infotainment controls less intuitive than newer systems.
Battery, electronic-feature and maintenance costs can affect long-term satisfaction.

Best Cars in This Category

2019 BMW X5 xDrive40i
2019 Audi Q7 3.0T quattro
2019 Porsche Cayenne
2019 Lexus RX 350 AWD
2019 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD

Summary

The 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE400 4MATIC is best suited to buyers seeking a refined, fast and capable luxury SUV with genuine towing ability and year-round traction. It offers a compelling blend of V6 performance, passenger comfort and safety equipment, especially as a well-maintained used purchase. Its value is strongest for shoppers who prefer traditional Mercedes-Benz luxury and can budget realistically for premium fuel, scheduled service and potential age-related repairs.