hitmantb

We use the third row occasionally with parents (on average once a month), and love the idea of buying a smaller vehicle than say the GLS. Thank you so much Mercedes for implementing this option?

How is the third row vs the competition? We have tested RX350L and MDX so far, and RX350L is far and away the most unacceptable third row with 23.5 inches of legroom. MDX at 28.1 is much more respectable. XC90 at 31.9 is very comfortable. The specs match my experience completely.

Would you say the GLE 2020 is closer to MDX or XC90? Along with X5, it does not publish third row legroom numbers.

thenew3

My parents have a 2018 XC90, I test drove the 2020 GLE350/450. Spent about 1/2 hour in the 3rd row. I'd say it's a bit smaller than the XC90. If you move the 2nd row forward a few inches then you have enough leg room for an average sized adult for short trips. Head room is not that great.
Overall the interior of the GLE feels smaller than the XC90. Cargo space behind 2nd row also feels smaller in the GLE vs XC90.

kombifan

The options you mentioned always seemed to me to not be a full size third row. Ie. just for kids.

Are yougoing to put adults in the back or kids?
If kids the xc90 or gle should be fine. If kids too have you thought about the e class wagon? 😋 or even x5/7? Or Audi Q7? Disco sport and rr sport also have 3rd row options.

if adults there are few full size options. The Land Rover discovery always used to be a solid option. The full size diso, Not the sport. Have you tried one of those ? The new refreshed gls is also coming out soon.

We have 3 college aged kids which are all 6ft and 1 middle schooler who is also 6ft. 3rd row legroom and space is extremely important so we’ve tested them all. The only one that consistently was comfortable an deasy to get in and out of was the gl/gls.

i see now that you’re coming out of a sienna. A minivan is extremely versatile and pretty much comfortable in each row. Almost all suvs are a compromise, with most third rows being a penalty box or just for kids.
Unfortunately most manufacturers see the third row as just for kids. The discovery and gls are the only few ones that truly could have a 3rd row that matches your sienna. Navigator might be too big. Not sure how the x7 sits. I assume gm and it’s sibkings are out of the question? The lx570 and landcruiser have horrible 3rd row solutions. And I hated the qx80 when I had one as a rental and hate even more what they’ve done to ghosn.

hitmantb

Thanks, as long as it is XC90 size it is good. Our parents are all around 5'6" to 5'7", our kids are 7 and 9 and much shorter (for now) so not as bad. And we carry them very rarely.

I tried to convince my wife on the GLS which is a great value vs 2020 GLE, since you can get a much bigger MSRP discount. But she doesn't want another big car after Sienna.

kombifan

i find the gls drives very small. Like a car.

Has she driven one?

thenew3

If you're doing short trips with adults that are 5'6" to 5'7" then I'd say the GLE is fine. If you plan on doing frequent long trips, then something the size of the GLS is a better choice.
XC90 is a better value compared to the GLE and roomier inside. Although I don't like the 4 cylinder in the XC90.

kukipie

Amidst the uncertainty around the prodcution of GLE, I went and took the new X7 for test drive. Comparing only the 3rd row between these two cars, I liked the seating and leg room of X7 better than GLE. Of course you can not compare GLE with X7, it's a completely different segment but X7 was much roomier and also had a dedicated sunroof for the 3rd row passengers..worth looking at it from the 3rd row perspective.
Overall I would still prefer GLE though, 450 was a better drive....

Erasmo

In this class, the most spacious third row belong to the land rover discovery. Second place for the audi Q7.