Hi all,

So I finally got my GLE 350e Coupe Hybrid, and I love it!! I've had it for 2 weeks now and done around 1,600km in it. Most of those km were done on the motorway over last weekend and I was a little surprised to see the consumption results.

I know the car is brand new and I probably have to go through many more Kms to get a good consumption value but so far it's looking like 10,5l/100km. I drive mostly in comfort mode and being Hybrid, petrol does not kick in until around 80km or so, basically once the battery is drained. Obviously, being still only 2 weeks old, I'm still occasionally flooring it now and then to see the performance so I'm sure that's having a negative effect as well.

I thought the consumption would be much lower to be honest and I was shocked to see that when I fill up the tank (when the battery is completely drained) it's only showing me a range of around 550km (around 650km combined when the battery is full). Is this normal? The first couple of days when I got the car, it showed more like 750km combined.

Coming from an 11 year old diesel range rover, that gives me a range of 800km on a full tank with a consumption of 10/100km, I'm a little disappointed if I'm honest.

I'm hoping its something that will improve over time though.

 

My understanding of hybrids is they are most efficient in stop and go city traffic, not on the open road.

 

I have owned 4 hybrids and you are correct. They also lose their efficiency in very heavy city stop and go city traffic if the regenerative braking cannot recharge the batteries. In which case, the ICE just runs all the time to charge the battery and run the vehicle.

 

You know the owner’s manual states that you should take it easy for the first 1,000 miles. I guess it’s too late for that.

 

On motorways the hybrid system is mostly dead weight. If motorway range is a priority the 400d is your best bet with an 85 liter tank and (relatively) low consumption.
A large car and a small(ish) petrol engine at high speed will cost fuel.