The luxurious GLE holds its own in many ways with its quiet interior, impressive fit and finish, supportive seats, and strong engine. But the SUV's distracting controls and lackluster handling might drive shoppers to consider competitors such as the BMW X5.
Ride comfort is a traditional Mercedes-Benz strong suit and, most of the time, the GLE's stately ride absorbs bumps well. But at low speeds on rough pavement, there's an unbecoming jiggle that can be felt in the cabin, and a floating feeling over slight rises when traveling at highway speeds.