Test Drive: Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4Matic SUV is built solid as a rock with sure-footed handling

When it comes to cars, trucks and SUVs the term “build quality” is often bandied about.

It’s hard to pinpoint build quality, but you know it when you see it – or hear it, or feel it.

In the case of our 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4Matic SUV tester you can see it in the tight gap tolerances of the body panels, feel it in the sure-footed handling and even hear it in the confident way the doors close with a tight “ka-thunk.” To use an overworked metaphor, the GLE350 is as solid as a rock.

M-B provided us with a Brilliant Blue GLE350 for a one-week test drive on Chattanooga streets and highways. Our tester came with a third row of seats, a worthwhile $2,100 option.

GLE’s are available locally at Mercedes-Benz at Long of Chattanooga. Late this week the local dealership had 22 GLE’s in digital inventory.

WHAT IS IT?

The Mercedes-Benz GLE350 is a three-row, mid-size luxury SUV. It has a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. The engine makes 255 horsepower, propelling the SUV from 0-60 miles per hour in about 6.6 seconds.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

The base price of our tester, $56,200, zooms to $83,990 when you pack on the extras. For example, the special Magma Gray NAPPA leather interior is a $2,990 upgrade on our tester, and a cosmetic AMG exterior package adds $2,900 to the bottom line.

WHAT WE LIKED

Although it “only” has a four-cylinder engine, it doesn’t feel under-powered. To the contrary, our GLE350 tester was up to the challenge in some of the “quick-merge” lanes found in downtown highway construction. The interior was sufficiently luxurious for a $80,000-plus vehicle and the 12.3-inch wide-screen display and digital clusters are a wonder.

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

We always have to hunt for seat controls in an M-B – they are oddly placed on the doors instead of on the seat frame. The center console architecture, with built-in hand grips, is a bit unorthodox. Steering wheel controls are busy.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE

In a word, driving a GLE inspires confidence. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive feature is among the best in the segment. On recent rainy days, the GLE350 felt planted and secure on slippery pavement. Safety-first families will feel deeply protected in this SUV.

BOTTOM LINE

The bottom line on the GLE350 is price. If you can afford an $83,990 SUV this is an excellent choice.

In the market for a new vehicle? To access hundreds of Mark Kennedy’s Chattanooga Test Drive columns visit www.timesfreepress.com/testdrive.

Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.