Hello forum,

There many negative comments on this forum about the 2021- 2022 GLE 450's.
48 volt battery issues ?
Hard downshifting ?
The car wandering a bit back and forth off centerline?
Consumer Reports about reliability of the GLE's in general ?

I'm in the market to replace my almost worn out 2015 ML 350 with 126,000 flawless miles and am considering the 450 for a replacement.

I'd like to hear from some GLE 450 owners who are happy with their cars.

Thank you,

Bill D

Better check it in person and if you always put things on the back of your ML consider trying to fit it on the new truck as you might get disappointed like I did. The 2022 should have the battery issue solved (hope so) but we will only find out if no one complains here about it.

Forming an opinion about a GLE or any other vehicle by reading online forums requires great caution in evaluating the comments and information. It's rather like forming an opinion about the frailties of the human body by going to a hospital emergency room!

Our 2020 GLE 450 with E-ABC (and almost every other option) was ordered 07/05/2019 and delivered 10/19/2019. After 18,629 miles, we've experienced several minor issues, but none that would dissuade us from another GLE (once they cure the supply chain issues and the options 'roulette').

The one-sixty-lemon has been the biggest disaster of a product launch in MB's recent history. Instrument clusters going blank, check engine lights, failure to start, keyless entry problems, cheap soft plastic interior components, and more. Tread carefully.

You will find the vast majority of 450 and 350 owners are happy with their cars and have had very few problems.
You'll also find a small circle of haters who constantly bash a car they don't own...(I believe it's driven by envy).

On the other hand, you could say it's the most successful launch in their history.
It's a stellar car, vast improvement over previous models, leading the automotive world into new territory.
Probably a bit of an overstatement but not much.
It kind of depends what your priorities are: good car or cutting and pasting negative comments. I'll go for the real car.

We replaced our 2012 ML350 with 2021 GLE450 (almost all options) in late June (build took about 6 months). Totally love it! Experienced none of the rare complaints showing up here. Great tow vehicle for our travel trailer. Electronics can be a bit overwhelming, but some poking around in the menu and hints from this forum and I'm pretty much in control now!

Most loved features: Distronic Plus and Heads Up Display.
Most disappointing upgrade: Leather steering wheel. Only handholds are leather, rest is plastic (not like ML which was full leather)
Most unnecessary feature: Automatic parking

If you loved your 350 you should love the 450 even more.

............David

We’re very happy with our GLE450, we upgraded from a GLC300 mainly for a 6-Cylinder and more Cargo Space and the GLE has delivered on both fronts. We checked out the X5 but the rear legroom was no bigger than our GLC, and the exterior design and infotainment were fussy, and our MB dealer has been very good to us so we continued with them.

No issues to report in 6 months, and my 2019 CLS53 has never had any 48-Volt issues either, most people are reporting here that ‘22’s should fix that issue, YMMV.

If you’re weary of the GLE best to check out competitors and see what you like. Good luck!

Thank you for the replies.

I've owned a few very good new MBs over the years along with very good BMWs.

I've test driven a new 2022 BMW 45e PHEV.........a very nice vehicle with a $7500 federal tax (at this time) credit to boot.

I have a 2018 X3M40i as a 2nd car. 64,000 flawless miles.

The X5 45e is a spectacular vehicle all around and airmatic suspension is standard.

In recent years, I've always owned a MB and a BMW for something ":different" to drive.

I'll arange for a test drive of the GLE 450.

Whether or not I can order get a "factory trailer hitch" in either the MB or BMW along with a couple of other options will be a question.

Thanks, Bill

good to hear and thank you.
I just heard from BMW.......no hitches available for no future date for resolution.

Interesting. Is this for all X5’s? Or just the PHEV? Our GLE has a hitch, although we haven’t used it.

X5 gas 40i and the phev 45e s
Not sure of X3 series...I have a factory hitch on the X3 M40i

I will be checking with my local MB dealer shortly.
As of last week the dealership did NOT have an upcoming build slot for a GLE 450

Owned the 2020 model 450 since October 2019. Very happy with the car. Good power, very comfortable. Drive it back and forth from NY to Florida. !8k miles. Only real complaint was OEM Cooper tires. Switched them out for Michelins. MBUX is a bit complex, but overall user experience superior to other cars I have driven.

GLE definitely has the best interior in the segment.

Particularly if you get a light interior.

Its like 2 generations beyond BMW.

did you even own or tried one? I have a friend who have a 2021 GLE 350 and he is happy with it but misses the V6 when they go to the mountains.

build date for January is close already you are looking at Feb build date.

You never heard of Mercedes black death?

Its absurd to claim v167 is less reliable than any other Mercedes from the last 20 years.

I love this guys channel! Legit Street Cars!

We’ve had ours since May and we couldn’t be any happier. Good power and interior comfort is outstanding. We only have about 6k miles so can’t comment on reliability but so far so good.

Must test drive and see for yourself.

Absolutely love my 450 ! Had a few very minor issues with electronic gremlins at first but that was fixed with software updates and she has been flawless ever since. Puts a huge smile on my face every time I stomp on the pedal !

Edited to retract positives that are no longer positives. This car and its constant problems are driving me crazy.

I owned a 2020 GLE 450, and currently a 2021 GLE450 and looking into getting a 2022.

2020 Has a few small issues and one issue with software that's it. The 2021 has had only the whistling mirror issue which has been fixed. Thus no hesitation to get a 2022.

I am really enjoying my 2021 GLE 450. They finally resolved the driver side whistling window and other that (knock on wood) all has been smooth and i totally enjoy it when I'm driving. Ride is smooth, power is very good and handling is decent. I would have loved airmatic but it wasn't on mine and the steel suspension is pretty good on its own. Everyone will have different things they love, hate , issues and or quirks but I haven't any weird issues pop up so far at 6,000 miles

Yes he points out ALL modern Mercedes are junk.

First time MB owner (Wife's car). 2022 GLE 450. Can't say enough good about the experience thus far. LOVE the distronic plus, and pretty much everything else about the car. However still only about 5k so can't say about reliability.