Trading my Tesla S and thinking of getting either GLE 350 or 450e. Considering the Federal tax credit of $7,500 which could almost offset the price difference between 350 & 450e, which model do you'll suggest to go with?

Also is it good idea to lease/buy this vehicle?

Please suggest. Thanks!

 

Anytime I can get a 6-cylinder over a 4-cylinder, I'll take the 6. Regardless of what people may say, a 6 will be smoother and have great output potential. Having driven Mercedes turbo 4-cylinder engines, they just don't have the same staying power once you get them off the line. Plus, they sound like a sewing machine next to a 6. But that's just my personal opinion.

EDIT: Ugh! Never mind. The 450e has a 2.0 liter 4 banger. Another reason I'll not be getting a newer mercedes than what I have.

 

At least the 450e gives it a little more torque vs the 350. I feel like if you're coming from a Tesla, you'll really want to have something with a little more oomph than the 350.

 

Looks like the GLE450 is a traditional 6-cylinder with the same base price as the 450e. I agree, the 350 seems underpowered for the car. With a 0-60 of 7 seconds, you're going to lose races to the next traffic light to kids on bicycles.

 

For anyone who has not driven the 450e it is smoother and quieter than any 6 cylinder because the first 60 miles is pure EV.

In practical use the 450e has all the EV torque and acceleration and range to never call on the internal combustion engine in daily city or suburban use.

The EV mode has no speed limit so it is perfect for highway use as well.

Even when driving long distance inter-city the first 60 miles is EV and after it smoothly switches to Hybrid mode. When cruising in Hybrd mode the 4 cyl is so quiet you don't hear any sound.

The 450e has longer combined fuel range than the 350.

If you want more EV use inter-city the 450e is one of the few PHEV that have high speed DC charging. 20 min to 80%. I don't use it because I'm happy to do the balance of my trip in Hybrid.

If you need heavy acceleration (2 lane hiway passing) in EV or Hybrid mode the power and torque is the combination of the electric motor and the 4cyl which is more than the GLE 350. At this time you hear the sound of the 4cyl which is not as smooth as the 6cly.

I strongly prefer having the high torque, smooth, absolute quiet EV driving with range extending Hybrid mode than being stuck using a 6cyl all the time (in the city or cruising on a highway).

 

Great feedback.

 

I forgot to address acceleration. Per search:

* MB GLE 450: This is a traditional gasoline-powered SUV. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.6 seconds.

* MB GLE 450e: This is a plug-in hybrid that combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.3 seconds.

 

The straight six GLE 450 is faster than the 450e. That 450e weighs 700lbs more than the straight six 450. You also lose the ability to have a spare tire with the PHEV. The battery is great around town, but on road trips, you will primarily depend on the less than smooth 4 cylinder motor. Too bad Mercedes didn't follow the lead of BMW and pair the straight 6 with the battery in the PHEV.

 

And a 53 is <5.
No battery anchor.

 

Actually, per Mercedes website, the 0-60 times for the 450 is 5.3 seconds and the 450e is 5.8 seconds. My desktop calculator says the 450 is faster.

 

I forgot about the lack of spare. And lack of storage under the cargo area.

I don't understand the 4 cyl allergy. Even when the electric range is finished and it switches to Hybrid there is substantial electric assist. The 4 cyl is dead quiet when cruising. Yes it is harsher under heavy acceleration. What is that, 30 seconds out of a multi hour road trip?

When I drive home to or from my vacation home it is pure EV for the first half and then Hybrid the rest of the way. I don't even notice when it switches over.

 

Either way is that a significant difference in the real world?

 

Why are we paper racing? To me it seems like a no contest win for the 450e over the 350 which is what the OP asked about. The question of 450 or 450e can only be answered by the OP after driving both. Only the OP knows how it will be driven and what is more important.

 

Well, then, comparing the 350 to the 450e is like splitting logs instead of splitting hairs.

 

No one mentioned that there is no tax credit for the 450e if you buy. MB is offering something if you lease.

 

I haven't driven 350 w/ISGv2 but I did drive C class with the same engine and the ISGv2. Omg, this thing was sluggish in mixed city/highway cycle. I expected lighter C class with 4 cyl to be somewhat comparable to v167 450, it wasn't. The 4cyl engine doesn't appear to produce enough torque at low RPMs, even when ISG assisted (the bar showing full power) and I drive light footed. I.e., I expect the car to adjust to light presses of the gas pedal to push the car from like 25 to 40 mph and do it quick and effortlessly. It's something the 450 ISGv2 GLE does with zero issues but that C class with 4cyl was nowhere near. That's my personal experience with that 4cyl.

 

We have had our GLE450e for 5 months, and agree completely with everything Parato stated. A great vehicle (although 100 miles of EV range would be nice!).

 

[QUOTE=parato;9052171]I forgot about the lack of spare. And lack of storage under the cargo area.

"I don't understand the 4 cyl allergy. Even when the electric range is finished and it switches to Hybrid there is substantial"


Yes and no to your post. I've a GLE450e until about 3 PM Central, today. I put about 7K miles on it since August, I find if left in Batt Hold you still get some elect help from the Battery. Try it sometime and look at the gauges where the it shows part of the batt being used (white line goes down instead of up). Look when you start goin up a steep grade.

I floored the car twice and said 'no more ever". The four banger is under a lot of stress under pedal to the floor conditions. I find there is abundent power if the pedal isn't completly floored i.e passing traffic at over 80 mph. If traveling over say 1K miles I'd suggest leaving it in Batt Hold and use it (batt) as a reserve. Other than flooring the pedal, it has abundent power. Just going ?? 400 miles? Leave in Hybrid.

Come 3PM I'm trading it for a 2018 S 560 Coupe with 7000 miles and is a CPO car (*Park Place Motors'). Best looking car Mercedes has made since I don't know when (owned one S and two Cl 550's previously).

With Acoustic laminated glass I suspect a GLE450 (no 'e) is as quiet as the GLE450e. Get a decibel meter and check for your self. Why did I buy a 'e' in the first place.......got me. I'm not rational at times . Saw another S560 Coupe on Carvana with but 25K miles on it last week FYI. Another 2018 model.
Did I mentiion my car insurance is going to drop by 500 buckaroos not owning a GLE 450e? I think Parato made a good post, not knocking him in any way.

 

[QUOTE=HAILERS2;9056224]There is one point I dont understand. You suggest leaving it in Battery Hold on long trips so there would be electric power available to assist with acceleration.

I follow the logic. But what I learned is that even after the battery is depleted (shows 0%) the GLE functions like a normal hybrid, keeping a reserve level of battery charge to assist with acceleration and is continually charged during deceleration. It's always available.

Also I floor the GLE regularly when passing at over 80. Never saw any messages and get great performance.

Somewhat surprised by your insurance extra charge on the GLE. My insurance didn't increase when I swapped my 2018 E450 for the GLE. But every insurer is different.

Anyway, hope you enjoy the S560.

 

We've enjoyed our 450e. Had a 450 on a test drive and it's faster, but we like the range and the preconditioning. We don't mind the 4 cylinder sound ourselves. Fuel economy on a trip after range is exhausted is 25-27mpg typically.

 

I don't see an advantage, then.
My '20 450 saw 22-23 in town, 31-33 highway. Better than a 350 I had for a month and 1,100 miles, by +2-3 mpg.

 

The advantage of the 450e is around town driving. I went 910 miles between fill ups. Only because I went on a 500 mile trip and I used gas. Otherwise, who knows how many miles between fill ups. Obviously a plug in hybrid is not for you if you regularly take long trips and use up the battery and use gas. You’re just carrying around the extra weight.

 

[QUOTE=parato;9056346]I’m old, I have never had an occasion to pass anyone when I’m already doing 80. Actually, I can’t remember the last time I did 80.

 

yeah I can understand that. For us the 50-60 miles of EV range is a great thing. If you’re looking for range and fuel economy once the range is exhausted the Lexus RX 450h+ might be for you. 35 miles of range and 35 combined mpg after range is exhausted. I’d imagine low 30s on an Interstate road trip.