• Inherently a safe car
• Two Isofix points
• Loads of driver-assistance kit

The GLE hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP because the M-Class was, and it’s not normal for a car to be retested a second time until it’s actually replaced, rather than renamed. The M scored five stars back in 2012, so we’ve used that data for this section of the review, but considering the array of kit on offer, we still consider this a safe car in 2018.

As usual on vehicles from this manufacturer, a huge array of safety kit serves to keep Mercedes-Benz GLE occupants, other drivers and pedestrians safe. You can also specify a large amount of optional kit to help further.

Highlights from the standard kit list include an active bonnet that rises should you hit a pedestrian, airbags dotted around the cabin, an electronic handbrake with hill-start assist, a fatigue-detection and warning system, an automatic collision warning and braking system, crosswind assist (which uses targeted braking to prevent strong gusts blowing the car off line), automatic headlamps and Isofix child seat points for the two outer rear seats.

You also get a traffic sign recognition system to remind you of the speed limit and an anticipatory system which detects an impending crash and prepares the car, shutting windows and pre-tensioning seatbelts.

Optional Mercedes-Benz GLE safety equipment

The Driving Assistance Package nets you a host of safety features including an Active Blind Spot Assist function (which prevents you from steering into cars in your blind spot), active lane-keeping assist (which steers you back into your lane if the car detects you veering unintentionally), a brake-assist function (providing the optimum braking force for the conditions), and adaptive cruise control.

On the GLE 350 d you can optionally select the Active Curve System, which aims to make the car more stable through corners.
Adding the Premium Package to your GLE will also net you a 360-degree camera which will make parking far easier, along with an automatic parking system.

WATCH: Mercedes-Benz GLE 4x4 Euro NCAP crash test video

• Loads of room for luggage and passengers
• Automated bootlid and parking sensors help
• Check its dimensions to see if it’ll fit in your garage

Inside you’ve got acres of room, with more than enough room for four adults, and five if the fifth is happy to squeeze between the back-seat passengers – though you’ll sacrifice legroom thanks to the transmission tunnel.

You’ve got a large storage space between the front seats along with a large glovebox, nets on the rear of the front seats and door pockets in each door big enough to hold larger bottles. 

The GLE is a large car and will just about squeeze into a parking space, but of course you’re sat nice and high thanks to its off-road credentials so visibility is great.

You’re also treated to a self-parking system comprising sensors and a camera. 

The boot of the GLE is huge, and the rear seats fold in a 40:20:40 split to unlock a van-like 2,010 litres of space.

However, the plug-in hybrid GLE 500 e has batteries that account for 200 litres of room.

All cars get a powered tailgate as standard.