MT GARAGE

Arrival: 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic

EPA City/Hwy/Comb Fuel Econ

17/26/21 mpg

“Meet the latest, costliest, and bounciest member of our long-term fleet.”
Jonny Lieberman

Base price $62,745 As tested $89,385

It finally happened. After much resistance over nine years and eight months of continuous employment at MotorTrend, I’m stuck chaperoning a long-term SUV. The horror, the horror.

What am I faux complaining about? I just don’t like SUVs. There, I said it. I like cars. Really, I love cars. When I was 12 years old and dreaming about what I’d do when I grew up (still waiting on that last bit), I never imagined I’d be writing about what appliance is the best to lug the kids to soccer practice.

What about real SUVs, you ask? I like those! Jeep Wranglers, Toyota Land Cruisers, Mercedes-Benz G-Wagens—those are cool! Locking differentials, live axles, low gears, it’s all fascinating stuff. As I always say when asked: When my ship comes in, the first idiotic thing I purchase is a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar Icon FJ.

But a minivan chopped to look like an SUV? Yawn. Pass.

Pity party over, it’s time to face reality and introduce you to my $89,385 friend for the next 12 months, a Lunar Blue Metallic over Espresso/Magma Grey 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic.

The GLE 450 4Matic trim can, in theory, be had for $62,745. Yes ma’am, we’re talking $26,640 in options. Craziest part? There’s a $78,595 GLE 580 that sits above the 450, as well as the fire-belching, 603-hp, $114,945 AMG GLE 63 S. I’m compelled to point out that the least pricey way to get into a GLE is via the $55,245 GLE 350 (rear-drive, 2.0-liter I-4).

So no, my version doesn’t have a twin-turbo V-8. I’ll have to figure out how to survive with only 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque from a 3.0-liter electric-supercharged and turbocharged inline-six with hybrid assist. And it’s accessory-free via a 48-volt electrical system. The sacrifices we all make, am I right?

Anyhow, Mercedes are expensive. In other news, water is wet. Still, $26,640 is a large chunk of change for non-powertrain options. Why, for that much you could purchase a new Honda CR-V and pocket $470. Could these options be worth it?

Before we get to the most expensive option, let’s examine what’s arguably the most important: the $2,250 Driver Assistant package. Listing out every feature that’s included with this option pack would waste ink, but essentially it’s all your active, pseudo-autonomous stuff. Radar cruise control, lane keeping, hands-free steering, automatic braking—that sort of thing.

If you’ve never experienced these sorts of features firsthand, they