By Sala Masindane

The Mercedes-Benz GLE has certainly cemented its place in the luxury SUV segment and the sales figures in recent years prove that. However, the likes of BMW X5, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 have not been resting on their laurels as well. We recently tested the facelifted Mercedes Benz GLE300d to see if it still deserves the title it holds.

What are the updates?

The refreshed SUV received minor exterior updates that include a revised headlights and taillights, standard LED High-Performance headlamps. The exterior updates are not immediately noticeable. However, the large SUV is still good-looking.

Interior

Stepping inside, we are greeted by Mercedes-Benz’s latest design steering wheel, real metal air vents, and new colour combinations. Interior highlights also include dual 12.3-inch displays, ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice command, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and an optional 590W Burmester sound system with personalization and Dolby Atmos.

The updates in the cabin are minimal since the pre-facelift already had the MBUX layout, but newest generation works well. There’s a new steering wheel with new touch controls that are very sensitive, and you can mistakenly change the settings. Let’s not even get to the luggage capacity of 825-litres that will ensure nobody has to pack light during vacations

Drive and performance

Powering the GLE 300d is a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 198 kW and 550 Nm. Thanks to the mild-hybrid system, it adds an additional 15 kW and 200 Nm. The engine always had sufficient power to carry the 2-ton SUV. The ride quality is smooth, and it handles well. Our time in the large SUV resulted in a fuel consumption of 7.2L/100km, which included both open-road travel and daily city traffic.

Final words

The updated GLE still offers all the great attributes of the pre-facelift model. The one gripe we have is that it’s not as dynamically sharp as the BMW X5, especially with a R300k price difference between the two. However, it matches the X5 in all other areas. If you are shopping for a premium SUV and have R1,984,304 to spare, this is worth considering