The Mercedes-Benz SUV line is one evolution story that is worth documenting. The ML, popularly known locally as the Tony Yengeni. The ML got the Tony Yengeni name from the sordid Arms deal scandal in which ANC heavy weight Tony Yengeni was convicted and served time in jail.
The journey of this SUV started in 1997 and a whopping two million of this Mercedes-Benz SUV have been sold since, that’s 30 % of the total global sales. Fast forward to 2019 the new Mercedes-Benz GLE is launched and the Germans continue to deliver quality in the luxury SUV segment.
The launch kicked off in Sandton in the fairly new first ever-global Mercedes-Benz retail store, with the total space of the facility being 9 606sqm. Back to the launch, the GLE comes in three derivatives, the 300d 4MATIC producing 180kW, 400d 4MATIC with 243kW and the powerful 450 4MATIC at 270kW. From a performance point of view the 450 4MATIC would be the go-to for a more exhilarating experience with a six-cylinder petrol engine. But wait there is more to this model, it doubles has a hybrid for those heavy traffic mornings. Having had a feel of all these engines on launch, I must say they all tick the performance boxes. Of course, these are no AMGs but boy they have the eagerness to sprint when needs be.
Mercedes-Benz has done wonders with the GLE, for starters what a handsome well-rounded look with the design, the presence of this car is felt by the driver and road users, fellow motorists drop jaws while pedestrians stop and watch. The noticeable distinctive headlights makes it strikingly beautiful from the front and sexy buns rounded off with the chrome plated under-guard, “I like big butts and I cannot lie”.
We spent the day at the Zwartkops racetrack to test the GLE’s on and off-road capabilities. A 4×4track was especially designed to showcase an air suspension system that adjusts dynamically (Airmatic adaptive damping) to handle different surfaces and the GLE performed quite well. Now I would think that no one would buy a Mercedes-Benz for these activities but it is good to know that should the circumstance require such capabilities, the GLE would step up and do what is needed. The GLE is equipped with the latest generation of the multimedia system MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience. As standard it includes a large screen Cockpit as 12.3-inch/31.2 cm screens.
I cannot emphasize enough the comfort that comes with the GLE. Recommendable companion for road trips, a family can be housed perfectly for long distance travels with kids because they need space and also day-to-day use for both mom and dad. Road noise is at zero and the drive is easy.
This segment has a couple of worthy competitors, and the GLE has its work cut out. Taking aim at the likes of the recently launched Volvo XC90 which is also quite impressive, the market leader BMW’s X5, Range Rover Sport to mention but a few, the competition is quite stiff, but the GLE is solidly in the running.
Model and Pricing
- GLE 300d 4MATIC R1 210 500
- GLE 400d 4MATIC R1 351 200
- GLE450 4MATIC R1 329 400