Mercedes-Benz GLE 350de 4Matic 2019 first drive

The driveline is wonderfully integrated, to the point that we genuinely enjoyed exploring each and every one of the GLE 350de’s driving modes. Few cars deliver quite the same broad operating qualities, and the overall refinement on part-throttle loads is such that there are times when you’re scarcely aware of what power source is doing the work.

With its battery providing a more than token electric range, you can lay down extended distances in electric mode alone without depleting all of the energy in one go. Switch to hybrid mode and the diesel engine chimes in and out in a seamless fashion, thanks in part to the excellent nine-speed automatic gearbox, which uses a new integrated clutch mechanism to apportion the combined reserves to each axle.

Performance is quite impressive when the car is driven in hybrid mode; the generous torque provides strong step-off and calm cruising qualities.

That said, the two power units are asked to haul a lot of weight. There are times when the engine has to work quite hard to keep progress strong, not least under full acceleration. As such, it pays to relax and let the GLE 350de's newly developed power electronics system decide what's best for any given driving condition.

For those looking for towing qualities, there’s good news here: this car has a towing capacity of up to 3500kg. It can also be specified with a so-called Trailer Manoeuvring Assist system, which automatically controls the steering angle for adding ease of manoeuvring and parking.

Unlike early plug-in hybrid systems developed by Mercedes, here the brakes impart confidence; there's proper feel and linear qualities to the pedal. The amount of electric energy regenerated under braking, meanwhile, is very impressive. It’s never going to save you from having to top up the battery from time to time, but there has been a marked advance in this area, because it's now achieved via all four wheels rather than just two.

When it comes to recharging the battery, the GLE 350de holds one decisive advantage over many of its upmarket plug-in hybrid SUV rivals in that it supports charging at a rate of up to 60kW, at which Mercedes claims a full recharge takes just 30mins. With a claimed 62 mile electric range and markedly improved regeneration qualities, most commutes can be achieved on battery energy stores alone.

The GLE 350de is well worth considering if you’re in the market for a luxury SUV, especially if you spend a good part of your time on urban roads and are therefore seeking zero-emissions compatibility but also head out on occasional longer trips.

With a torque-laden electric motor and the largest-capacity battery in its class, the GLE 350de delivers what many plug-in hybrids can’t – namely a truly extended electric-only range. And for longer journeys, you’ve got the inherent frugality of a diesel engine, albeit one that sometimes has to work hard to shift the new Mercedes-Benz model’s hefty weight, as back up.

Its best work, however, is done in hybrid mode, where the qualities of the electric motor and combustion engine combine to provide more than adequate performance.