2026 Mercedes GLE SUV: Midsize Luxury for all Roads and Situations

One of the nicest midsized luxury SUVs on the road, the 2026 Mercedes GLE once again offers refined handling, plenty of cargo room, breathtaking elegance and 19 city / 26 highway for fuel economy. 

You’d expect nothing less from this class gem, and for a starting price of just over $61K US (which, believe it or not, is reasonable), you should be able to get all that refinement. 

Along with a turbo – and some leather and wood trim, and some heated and cooled cup holders to go along with a navigation system that recognizes your voice commands, this is one of the most stylish rides on the road.

U.S. News and World Report ranks the 2026 GLE as No. 2 in the Luxury Midsized SUV category, right behind the Genesis GV80, another excellent midsize executive suites on wheels. Of note for many professional car geeks is the third row of seats, but I personally would simply ignore that third row, unless you have small dogs who like to be pampered. 

Luxury abounds for the GLE, which can be adapted any way you like. You can also get a smaller SUV, like the Mercedes GLA or GLB, or get the very large G-wagons, which really have a very industrial feel to them. Here’s my review of last year’s electric G580 wagon: big, not cheap, but wow, does it make an entrance. 

This time, I tested the GLE 450, which has horsepower of 375, combined with 360 pound-feet of torque. This trim is considered the midrange of the bunch.

Arranged strategically, you can get all the luggage for four bears inside the GLE 450, assuming you won’t be doing too many costume changes or bringing too many beauty products. Planning ahead is key, as you will need to have money to buy the car and some cash for insurance and monthly upkeep.

Yet before you walk into a Mercedes dealership (if indeed, you can afford to do so), I would do plenty of research andhonestly ask yourself if you really want one. 

There is a certain ‘aura’ that you will take on once you own a Benz.  Sure, you will feel more elegant, and, yes, you will also become a bit more a snob (which you deserve).

(So you know, I don’t own one. Lenders laugh at me for a variety of reasons.)

But, well, how do I put this? Operating a Mercedes is a little different from operating other cars. Not that much different, but it is different. And yes, it is more expensive.  Outside of the initial sticker shock, your costs will go up.  

But, indeed, you will enjoy the ride, every time you get on the road and drive it to fabulousness and wonder. Here are some thoughts on what to expect.

That said, please enjoy every turn and acceleration. You Only Live Twice as a gay man, first as who our families want us to be and then as who we really are once we discover the Bear World.  Sometimes, we get a third chance as Polar Bears, and that hopefully will include some really nice automobiles.

Enjoy all that you can.  But be careful when you eat hot food inside those hot rods. 

Sometimes stains never come out completely.