Is the Cheapest Midsize Mercedes-Benz SUV a Hidden Gem at $60k?
With a budget of $60,000, the options are not limitless in the SUV segment. For a luxury SUV, that $60k doesn’t go as far as it used to. However, if there was one luxury brand to gamble on, it might be Mercedes-Benz. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV comes in just under budget but has a long list of pros and a short list of cons: comfort, price, and safety land squarely in the “pros” category.
What is the most comfortable Mercedes-Benz SUV?
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV is known for being a comfortable luxury vehicle. It comes from the factory with five comfortable seats, but a third row can be added for more seating. Mercedes uses top-of-the-line technology throughout the cabin, which makes the experience better for the driver and passengers.
The name of the game with the Mercedes-Benz lineup of luxury SUVs is “choices.” Choose your seating arrangement, engine, and color scheme. Want all-wheel drive? Add it on. A better engine? Just go up a trim. The possibilities are endless, which makes for such a versatile midsize luxury SUV.
Mercedes-Benz SUVs have a pretty good reputation, and the GLE is no different. It remains balanced on the road and has an adaptive suspension system that does all the hard work for you. There is also an available air suspension system that makes for even more comfort on the road.
Is the cheapest Mercedes-Benz luxury SUV worth it?
The good news is that the midsize Mercedes-Benz SUV is a great luxury vehicle with a reasonable starting price. For the base GLE 350, $57,700 gets all the features and luxury elements shoppers might want, U.S. News reports. If there is a little more wiggle room in the budget, the fully loaded GLE 580 is faster and even more luxurious. It even beats some more expensive rivals like the Maserati Levante.
| 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE Trims | MSRP | Horsepower |
| GLE 350 | $57,700 | 255 hp |
| GLE 450 | $66,450 | 362 hp |
| AMG GLE 53 | $76,950 | 429 hp |
| GLE 580 | $83,850 | 483 hp |
| AMG GLE 63 S | $116,850 | 603 hp |
With the GLE 350, Mercedes includes its turbo four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and a nine-speed automatic. This comes with rear-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available for $2,500. Synthetic leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen are standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, and a power-liftgate. Adaptive suspension also makes life easier.
How safe is the Mercedes GLE SUV?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV is one of the safest luxury midsize options on the market right now. It earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award and high scores on all six of the main crashworthiness tests. The IIHS also gave the luxury SUV high marks on the front crash prevention exam. Additionally, the NHTSA gave the 2023 GLE a five-star overall safety rating. The SUV protected the driver and occupants in the front, side, and rollover crash tests.
Mercedes equips the GLE with many standard safety systems like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The luxury SUV also gets helpful systems like automatic high-beam headlights and rain-sensing windshield wipers to make life easier.
This Mercedes-Benz SUV checks those important boxes of comfort, safety, and price without going crazy in one direction. Even though there are many expensive trims to choose from, the base model comes well-equipped from the factory. For those who want a luxury midsize SUV with a little pizzazz, your work is through with the GLE.
