Test drive of the Mercedes GLE 350 4Matic, a PHEV that can venture off the asphalt

The combination Mercedes proposes is, to say the least, exotic: a vehicle with a diesel engine that is also a plug-in hybrid, with a range of over 70 km in fully electric mode.

This is the Mercedes GLE 350 4Matic we have tested, an SUV with strong off-road capabilities that, besides being diesel, incorporates a hybrid system with a battery giving it more than 70 km of fully electric range, with just four hours of charging.

Design: Eye-catching AMG exterior trim with a spacious and comfortable interior

Practically all models in the Mercedes range come with the AMG trim to accentuate its sporty side, with a very distinctive design that sets it apart from the rest of the range. Our unit featured this trim, highlighting the huge front bumper (with a sporty cut), the 21-inch alloy wheels and the white wheel arches, completed by the side steps.

The white exterior is combined with black elements, such as the mirrors and the inserts in the front and rear bumpers, creating a sporty look. The final touch comes from the huge brake calipers with the brand logo.

Inside, the GLE is a very spacious vehicle, whether we travel in the front or rear seats, as space is guaranteed. All seats feature electric adjustment and heating (including the rear seats), with a comfortable body fit that allows for relaxed travel.

The dashboard is dominated by the huge instrument and multimedia screens, which give it a cutting-edge touch. In my opinion, they could improve the integration of these so that they don’t look like they “float” above the dashboard (though this is a very personal opinion).

The quality of the interior finishes is outstanding, with soft-touch materials, leather covering almost the entire dashboard, and only one drawback: the central aluminium inserts (which could be made of a nobler material and have a better finish, as could the air vents). Otherwise, it meets expectations.

The centre console is very elevated; from there we can operate the entire multimedia system (or use the touchscreen), the different driving modes and the suspension height. It also houses a large glovebox and several storage spaces, as well as a dedicated spot for your phone with wireless charging.

The driving position is elevated, with a seat that holds the body well and multiple electric adjustments. From the driver’s seat we can control the passenger seat; it also features heating and ventilation, and even the front door armrests and centre console armrest are heated.

The rear seats, as I already mentioned, are fit for a head of state’s saloon: spacious, with every kind of luxury and an independent climate control to regulate the temperature, as well as a USB port for charging devices. They offer electric adjustment both longitudinally and vertically.

The panoramic sunroof and outstanding soundproofing round off a high-quality, comfortable interior with plenty of space.

The boot is elevated; it loses some capacity due to the batteries, but still offers 490 litres, which can be increased by folding the rear seats forward.

Engine and performance: four cylinders with 320 CV

Under the 350 designation sits a two-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine producing 194 CV, which is combined with a 136 CV electric motor; together they deliver 320 CV and 700 Nm of torque.

I admit I am a big fan of the six-cylinder 3.0 diesel, and I approached this combination with considerable scepticism, but as the kilometres went by the pairing proved itself.

In terms of smoothness it has nothing to envy from the six-cylinder, offering an extremely smooth ride. And in performance, the acceleration and responsiveness of this SUV, with its enormous dimensions and a weight of 2,600 kg, are surprising. When we press the accelerator, the engine responds powerfully and both motors (electric and diesel) come into play to deliver their full force (and it’s not little: 700 Nm), allowing us to overtake without problems or maintain a brisk pace on the road.

If instead we want to cruise calmly, both engines offer great smoothness, and depending on the driving mode, the system will prioritise electric operation over diesel.

Electric motor: 136 CV with a WLTP range of 98 km

The electric system of this GLE is very powerful, both in motor output and battery capacity, totalling 31 kWh, with a motor output of 100 kW.

According to the official specifications, the range in 100% electric mode is 98 km, a realistic figure as long as we do a lot of city driving; in various tests we carried out, we obtained a range of 70–80 km in 100% electric mode with relaxed driving.

It can charge via a Mennekes socket at 7.5 kW, needing about four hours to fully charge, or use the CCS Combo port and therefore do an 80% charge in just over 30 minutes. This is a very practical detail, because many plug-in hybrids lack fast charging, which penalises charging times and drags things out.

Handling: smooth and even fun

This Mercedes GLE is a very versatile car, allowing us to be efficient, drive a little more sportily, or even go off-road.

The key lies in its different driving modes (which affect the ride height and stiffness of the suspension, as well as the throttle response, steering and gearbox):

• Individual: where we can set the parameters ourselves
• Comfort: soft suspension for greater comfort
• Sport: improves suspension response, stiffening it for more sporty driving, along with quicker throttle and gearbox response.
• Eco: seeks the lowest consumption
• Electric: fully electric mode whenever there is battery charge
• Battery Level: allows driving that prioritises saving battery charge for later use
• Off-Road: suspension and gearbox settings for off-road use

The dynamic behaviour stands out for its ability to reduce body roll, thanks to its air suspension with height and stiffness adjustment, which allows certain liberties in sport mode, making it a manageable and reasonably dynamic car on a mountain pass. Once you get used to it, it can even be fun.

In Comfort or ECO mode, its behaviour is very smooth. The suspension softens and the ride feels like floating over the asphalt, regardless of the road surface. Moreover, economical consumption can be achieved in these driving modes.

When driving in electric mode, one feature that few plug-in hybrids offer stands out: a kind of automatic regenerative braking that responds to the car ahead or the route we follow (based on GPS). In this way, on a winding road, if we release the accelerator as we approach a bend, it will automatically brake while regenerating electricity, and the same happens when we approach another vehicle.

It takes some getting used to, but once you do it is really practical and recovers a lot of energy that can be used for later driving. On a 20 km route along winding roads, you can regenerate a couple of kilometres of battery range. There are also paddles to intensify or relax the energy regeneration.

Finally, there is the off-road behaviour, where electronic management is the key. An optional package improves the response off the asphalt, but our unit did not have it. It did have hill descent control and that off-road mode, which automatically manages traction.

After testing it in mud, snow and even ice, we were pleasantly surprised. Our tyres were summer tyres, so we had no great expectations regarding traction, and the car far exceeded what we expected, advancing up a completely icy incline without losing traction and descending tracks where grip was very, very low thanks to hill descent control. With suitable tyres fitted, the traction response is sublime.

Consumption: less than one litre per 100 km

As a plug-in hybrid, the official consumption is 0.7 l/100 km with a full battery. To be more realistic, without battery charge we can expect around 8.5 litres per 100 km on the road, and when driving in 100% electric mode, average consumption is around 29 kWh/100 km.

As I mentioned in the engine section, thanks to the battery it is easy to exceed 70 km in fully electric mode, covering most daily journeys without using the diesel engine.

Equipment: fairly complete as standard and grouped into very attractive packs

This Mercedes GLE 350 4Matic comes as standard with the following: multiple airbags, knee airbag, two-zone climate control, automatic gearbox, 20-inch alloy wheels, front seats with heating and partially electric adjustment, reversing camera, tinted glass, blind-spot warning, full LED headlights, Presafe, dual colour instrument and multimedia screens, navigation, among other features.

For around €4,368, the exterior and interior AMG package can be added, undoubtedly the most distinctive element of this GLE’s design. Within the long list of options are interior lighting, a fragrance diffuser with air ionizer, or the Comfort Thermal Plus package, which includes heated door and centre console armrests.

One of the most interesting extras is the “Premium Plus package”, which includes a panoramic glass roof, memory seats, 360° cameras, ambient lighting and an air fragrance diffuser, as well as the outstanding Burmester sound system, which offers remarkable clarity.

Personal opinion and price of the Mercedes GLE 350 4Matic

The starting price of this diesel plug-in hybrid is €78,000, although, taking into account the options on our test unit, the final price rises to nearly €92,448, but fully equipped.

As for my opinion, this GLE is a vehicle that is hard to pigeonhole, and I won’t be as bold as those who have straightforwardly said it has no reason to exist (I think it does, and a very good one).

Who is it aimed at? Obviously, those looking for a large, spacious and extremely comfortable SUV for long-distance and motorway driving, which is even effective off the asphalt (if you want more of a 4×4 character, it is better to opt for the package that improves the GLE’s capabilities).

Does the hybrid, diesel and plug-in combination make sense? Yes, as long as our daily routine, or part of it, involves driving in cities, where the electric part makes complete sense, saving on journeys and earning the coveted “Zero Emissions” label, which always brings several advantages. As for the diesel part, it makes sense if, at specific times, we take long trips or journeys, where the hybrid-diesel combination is more economical than the hybrid-petrol one.

Photos | Test team