From a lifelong MB family dating back to the 80s, but my mother has hit the point where a sedan is too low for ease of entry and night driving (because every other vehicle is taller and blinds her), and she just had a hip replacement, so I think it's time to move up to a medium sized SUV. Her current cars are a beautiful 1990 W126 420SEL and a medium spec W212 E350. Given that we've driven MB forever, I want to suggest a pre-facelift W167 GLE, but I am pretty down on post 2016 MBs, especially post Covid MBs. The 4 cylinder is not even on the radar, but I'm worried about the M256 found in the GLE450 due to the 48V mild hybrid. I know it's a technical marvel, but MB has dropped the ball so hard on recent engine designs that I can't help but think it's a ticking time bomb.

Outside of the engine, I like the looks of the W167 as compared to the X5, but wanted to seek feedback on the following very important items for her consideration:

• Safety features/driver assistance. My 15 W212 can almost drive itself in stop and go traffic , so I'm assuming this has only improved in the years following. One feature my GMC truck has that may or may not be standard on newer MBs, is radar embedded in the tailight assemblies that can warn of cross traffic, biologic or mechanical in nature, that is well outside your field of vision, even with the cameras. It's really nice when backing out of a spot.
• Lighting - Both her W212 and mine have the adaptive LED lighting that corners as you steer, both are great (better than my 2924 LED headlights on my truck). Both systems were capable of so much more, but require coding via vediamo. I know a 23 would have the same capabilities that could be added via vediamo, but I'm wondering if the standard implementations are better than the 15 sedans
• Self Driving capabilities - My 212 has the full distronic plus. I'm sure the latest versions are much better, but how do they compare to what the BMW may offer?

Long story short, if anyone has experience cross shopping both and looking for similar safety minded features, any feedback would be great.

Is your mother tall? Short, old people struggle to get into my V167, and they have to use the grab handle and running board to get in. Since she drives locally, have you considered getting her an EV like the EQE SUV, which sits lower than the V167, or the Toyota Crown (Crowns are near Lexus quality; also consider the Signia which wasn't out yet) sedan, which sits slightly higher than a regular sedan? I bought a Crown for my mother-in-law because of all the physical buttons, and she wasn't a fan of moving into an SUV and was adamant about wanting to stay in a sedan. Her previous cars have been a Mercedes E-Class and an Audi A6.

The pre-facelift v167 does not have cornering lights. The mid cycle refresh starting in 2024 has it though. I feel like the driver assist has improved with each year. Each time I get a loaner I've noticed that the driver assist seems smoother and better so you may want to try to get a newer model year if possible. I did find the 2025 Toyota Crown driver assist to be better than my 2020 Mercedes GLE. I also found the 2023 X167 was improved in that area when I had rented one.

The mid cycle refresh base lights also became reflectors so the fullly optioned lights is important as well.

Keep in mind the new GLE or second facelift GLE is already spotted testing on public roads: https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...-weekend.html#

More on it here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...-spy-pics.html

I would choose the GLE for your mother. More traditional, more physical controls...

My 5'3" wife loves her GLC, but our GLE is too big for her.
She's done with sedans because of the low seating height and taller trucks on the road.
We tried a Macan but it's too small.
Staying with the MB brand helped her learning the new GLC.