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We placed an order today for a GLE 400e (this is how it's badged in other markets - dumb American buyers) to join the fleet alongside my E 53 Wagon. It will replace my husband's current Volvo XC60 T8. While the GLE is down a bit on power (74 or so hp), it is way up in terms of creature comforts. Our car will be the last delivered to our dealer in Munich before the facelift launches and goes into production. With Mercedes' trend towards giant screens and interior gimmicks, which the GLE/GLS facelift will adopt, we decided to stick with the current version.
We opted for the AMG Line Premium Plus (Pinnacle equivalent in the US) plus the AIRMATIC air suspension (which I wish was on offer on the E 53), and I think every other option, including tow hitch, the backlit wood trims on the seat backs, and the rear comfort package. My only disappointment was learning the Burmester High End surround sound system (with the ceiling-mounted surround speakers and 1,610 watts of power) is now exclusive to the GLS. We have the Bowers and Wilkins system in the XC60, which is 1,410 watts/15 speakers, so the standard Burmester system with 590 watts/13 speakers kinda sucks.
In Europe, we also have the AMG GLE 53 HYBRID, which for all intents, is the E 53 in SUV guise, just slightly less power (577, I recall). However, my husband isn't an enthusiast. I couldn't convince him, so we opted for the standard car.
The AMG GLE 53 HYBRID is rumored to be coming to the US (alongside a new PHEV 500e/550e with an I-6 motor) when the facelift debuts. Both options you might consider if you want the GLE form factor and PHEV.
We picked her up today! So far it's everything we had hoped for, very impressive car although once you have owned a few high end cars and other Mercedes it just feels "normal". It's not until you rent a Dodge Durango at the Denver airport that you realize how special this car really is!
Car was getting nothing but mad props at the dealership from every person who walked past it and we bumped into a W212 E63S on the highway and we gave each other mutual thumbs ups in a "when you know you know" kind of way.
We picked her up today! So far it's everything we had hoped for, very impressive car although once you have owned a few high end cars and other Mercedes it just feels "normal". It's not until you rent a Dodge Durango at the Denver airport that you realize how special this car really is!
Car was getting nothing but mad props at the dealership from every person who walked past it and we bumped into a W212 E63S on the highway and we gave each other mutual thumbs ups in a "when you know you know" kind of way.
Congratulations! I'm sure it was well worth the wait!
We picked her up today! So far it's everything we had hoped for, very impressive car although once you have owned a few high end cars and other Mercedes it just feels "normal". It's not until you rent a Dodge Durango at the Denver airport that you realize how special this car really is!
Car was getting nothing but mad props at the dealership from every person who walked past it and we bumped into a W212 E63S on the highway and we gave each other mutual thumbs ups in a "when you know you know" kind of way.
The X5/X7 air suspension is smoother than the already excellent X5 adaptive suspension which I have. When shopping for the E53, I test drove an X7 with air suspension. I'm pretty sure that some of the road imperfections that I feel in the X5 and E53 wouldn't be felt in an X7. During the X7 test drive, I was wondering if we are approaching the limits of how good we can make a suspension. Do the X5/X7 air suspension engineers spend 5 years to try to get a 1% improvement?
Humans are an innovative bunch, so surprisingly, we will be able to improve on an air suspension. Porche Ride Control is in production. See: Here's Why The Internet Is Raving About Porsche's New Suspension System and Porsche Active Ride - Porsche Newsroom. It is a Bose-style fully active system. These systems need large batteries and powerful computers, but we are driving around in cars with large batteries and powerful computers. Maybe 10 years from now, will see something like the Bose suspension in a $100,000 car. We are getting close. You can option the $7,790 Porsche Ride Control on a $138,000 Panamera 4 E-Hybrid. These systems which have an air suspension, can also move each wheel's suspension up and down independently keeping the car flat as it drives over bumps.
The 2026 Cayenne S Electric and the Cayenne Turbo Electric that were just released have active ride control available as a $7,790 option. Active ride control isn't available on the base Cayenne Electric.
In Europe, we also have the AMG GLE 53 HYBRID, which for all intents, is the E 53 in SUV guise, just slightly less power (577, I recall). However, my husband isn't an enthusiast. I couldn't convince him, so we opted for the standard car.
The AMG GLE 53 HYBRID is rumored to be coming to the US (alongside a new PHEV 500e/550e with an I-6 motor) when the facelift debuts. Both options you might consider if you want the GLE form factor and PHEV.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
