2020 GLE450: Second row seat adjustment without 3rd row option
 

Hey guys,

Does anyone know if the second row seat is adjustable (recline and forward/backward) without the third row seat option? I know the 2nd row is power adjustable with the 3rd row seat but I haven't seen anyone adjusting the back seats on a GLE450 without third row seats.

Thanks.

In the US you must order the third row option to get an adjustable second row.

very helpful, thanks. Maybe you can help me with my questions. I'd really appreciate that.

https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ggestions.html

I saw on the US website where it says 2nd row adjustable seats require the 3rd row option. I came upon this YouTube review which appears to show a 2nd row adjustable seat without the 3rd row option. . As far as I can tell this review is US based. Is this a one off vehicle which included the adjustable 2nd row?

My 2nd row seats do not have the power options to move back or forth (did not come with that option). They are comfortable and have plenty of leg room. I do not have the 3rd row option.

Same in France the 2nd row adjustable seats require the 3rd option (and the 20" wheels). It depends on the countries. In Germany for example, they don't like packages that much so you can chose most of your options independently.

In Uk nearly everything is in packs, 7 seats and AMG package is standard on all versions except 300D.

I saw your video and you're right, there is a 2nd row adjustable but not 3rd row. It's weird. But I have already seen some other weirds things with GLE reviews: for example, in UK some test reviews were made with a 300d with Airmatic suspension despite the fact that this is not standard on 300d in UK and you cannot have this option! Here for example:

I can confirm my Canadian market 450 with 5 seats does not have reclining 2nd row. This is a major inconvenience as the seat back angle is too upright for my Peg Pérego car seats. It’s best if they are flush with the seat pad and backrest. Hopefully this is an option that gets rectified in three years when I return my lease.

Adjustable 2nd row
 

In Germany I believe you can order the adjustable 2nd row as a standalone option.

Yes, you can. Picture of the german MB website translated:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...b914d289f9.gif

And the third row is a standalone option as well:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...6254118228.jpg
Edit: in Germany, although third row is a standalone option, in such a case the adjustable 2nd row is a prerequisite

So there is no way to adjust the 2nd row seating at all without the option of a 3rd row seating? Am I understanding that correctly? We just looked at a 2020 GLE and I super impressed but when getting in the rear I couldn't lean the seats back to adjust the angle. My wife's NX does this and I thought it was rather odd that a vehicle costing 20k more doesn't have this feature available (even if it is a manual side lever)... We have no desire to get or want a 3rd row seating as it's just for us two...

Thanks,
-Nigel

That is correct, Nigel. For USA and Canada, the rear seat back is non-adjustable on 5-passenger models. The 7-passenger model allows the adjustment.
I voiced my displeasure to the dealer when I picked up my car a month ago as I was installing two car seats in the back.
Hopefully MBC includes it as standard or at least optional in the future. Often during initial model year releases, packages are modified for subsequent years based on client feedback and purchasing patterns.

Non adjustable 2nd row
 

The last GLE had adjustable backrest angels for the 2nd row. Also, the seats folded complete flat instead of sticking up at an angle like these do. Apparently the 2020's "improvements" are for easier access to the 3rd row that neither you nor we care about. Offering the electrical 2nd row as the do in Germany as a standalone would improve the situation.

Thank you for the clarification! Wow, that really blows my mind. The infotainment/cluster is amazing, the interior is very nice, ambient lighting...etc. Lots of room in the back seats, I'm kind of taken back that someone from MB didn't say, why doesn't the rear seat recline.

Looks like I'll wait a year I guess.

Just for shakes, if you equip the GLE with the optional 3rd row seating, can the entire 3rd row seating be removed or is it permanently installed but folds down (like the e station wagon?) So that cargo area isn't raised?

Thanks,
-Nigel

The 3rd row seat does not take away from cargo area and is folded flat when you don't need it. But it does remove the ability to have a spare tire so they include run flat tires as standard when you get the 3rd row option.

It also removes the ability to stow the cargo bay cover if you put anything else in there - a pain.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...c3257f00a.jpeg
Whole below trunk 7 seater
In the 7 seater you still have that area below the lid where you can store the cargo bay cover. But nothing else fits in there!

Other example of a GLE with second row seat adjustment without 3rd row option (in Slovakia):