BMW
X5
SUV · five or seven seats
- Length
- 4,935mm
- Isofix
- 2
Mercedes-Benz GLE 7-seater
Seven seats on the diesels only, with a third row reviewers rate for children and early teens
- Seats
- 5 or 7
- Isofix points
- 2
- Length
- 4,923mm
Quick answer
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE a 7-seater?
Yes, in some versions. Seven seats are offered on the diesel GLE 350 d and GLE 450 d, while the GLE 450 e plug-in hybrid is sold only with five seats.
Best for Occasional third-row use with strong towing
On this page
Sources disagree on how widely the Mercedes GLE 7-seater layout is fitted: carwow and Drive say every non-hybrid GLE has seven seats as standard, but Mercedes UK's technical data shows the entry 350 d Urban Edition with five.
Treat the third row as child-sized, as Auto Express rates it for children and early teens. Both seven-seat diesels add a 17kW (23hp) electric boost to the engine, and Mercedes UK rates the GLE to tow 2,700kg braked.
Mercedes-Benz GLE specifications
| Body | SUV |
|---|---|
| Seats | 5 or 7 |
| Seat layout | 2-3-2 |
| Boot, 5 seats up | 630 litres |
| Boot, maximum | 2,055 litres |
| Third row suits | Children |
| Isofix points | 2 (outer seats in row 2) |
| Length | 4,923mm |
|---|---|
| Width without mirrors | 2,010mm |
| Width with mirrors | 2,164mm |
| Height | 1,796mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,995mm |
| Fuel, with seven seats | Diesel |
| Gearbox | Automatic only |
| Towing, braked | 2,700kg |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2019) |
Mercedes-Benz GLE boot space
- 5 seats up
- 630L
- Maximum
- 2,055L
We have no verified boot figure with all seven seats in use yet. With five seats in use the boot holds 630 litres, rising to a maximum of 2,055 litres.
Mercedes GLE boot space is quoted only for five seats: 630 litres in the diesels and 485 litres in the plug-in hybrid (Mercedes UK). No source we checked gives a figure with all seven seats up, so look at the car in person if you need luggage room with every seat filled.
Auto Express measures 825 litres with the middle row slid forward and 2,055 litres with every rear seat folded. Our 7-seater boot space comparison shows rivals with published seven-seat figures.
How it is measured 630 litres is the Mercedes UK figure for the diesels (485 litres for the GLE 450 e), basis not stated. The 2,055 litre maximum with all rear seats folded is from Auto Express, which also gives 825 litres with the middle row slid forward.
Mercedes-Benz GLE dimensions
- Length
- 4,923mm4.92m · 16ft 2in
- Width
- 2,010mm2.01m · 6ft 7in
- Height
- 1,796mm1.80m · 5ft 11in
Wheelbase 2,995mmLength 4,923mmHeight 1,796mmWidth 2,010mmMirrors 2,164mm
At 4,923mm (4.92m, 16ft 2in) long, the GLE is 49mm longer than the median SUV, and the 18th longest of the 37 SUVs we track. It is 2,010mm wide without mirrors (2,164mm with them) and 1,796mm tall. The wheelbase, the distance between the front and rear axles, is 2,995mm.
Third row: who fits?
Third row suitsChildren
Drive says the third row is tighter than in an Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery or Volvo XC90, with only a small gap to climb through. Auto Express rates it as suitable for children and early teens, and carwow calls the leg and headroom back there meagre.
Reviewers agree the third row is for children. Auto Express rates it for children and early teens, carwow calls the leg and headroom meagre, and Drive says it is tighter than in an Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery or Volvo XC90, with only a small gap to climb through.
Isofix is fitted to the outer middle-row seats; the sources we checked do not confirm any in the third row.
- Seat
- Isofix point
- Best for children
- Driver
Isofix and child seats
2Isofix points
The GLE has two Isofix points: outer seats in row 2.
Engines and fuel economy
Gearbox: automatic only.
| Version | Fuel | Power | Gearbox | Seven seats | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLE 350 d 4MATIC | Diesel | 286PS | Automatic | Yes | Not published |
| GLE 450 d 4MATIC | Diesel | 367PS | Automatic | Yes | Not published |
| GLE 450 e 4MATIC | Plug-in hybrid | 435PS | Automatic | No | 64 miles |
Official fuel economy and CO2
| Variant | Fuel | Gearbox | MPG | CO2 g/km | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLE 300 d 4MATIC | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 42.2 | 175 | Not published |
| GLE 350 d 4MATIC | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 38.2 | 195 | Not published |
| GLE 450 d 4MATIC | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 37.7 | 195 | Not published |
| GLE 300 d 4MATIC | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 36.2 | 205 | Not published |
| GLE 350 d 4MATIC | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 34.0 | 216 | Not published |
| GLE 450 d 4MATIC | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 34.0 | 217 | Not published |
| GLE 450 4MATIC | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 29.7 | 216 | Not published |
| GLE 450 4MATIC | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 25.7 | 251 | Not published |
| AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 25.5 | 252 | Not published |
| AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ | Mild hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 20.9 | 308 | Not published |
| GLE 350 de 4MATIC | Plug-in hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 134.5 | 54 | 71 miles |
| GLE 400 e 4MATIC | Plug-in hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 100.9 | 63 | 71 miles |
| GLE 350 de 4MATIC | Plug-in hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 97.4 | 75 | 58 miles |
| GLE 450 e 4MATIC | Plug-in hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 88.3 | 72 | 65 miles |
| GLE 400 e 4MATIC | Plug-in hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 74.3 | 87 | 60 miles |
| AMG GLE 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ | Plug-in hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 72.4 | 88 | 57 miles |
| GLE 450 e 4MATIC | Plug-in hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 72.4 | 89 | 56 miles |
| AMG GLE 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+ | Plug-in hybrid | Automatic (9-speed) | 67.3 | 96 | 55 miles |
Source: Vehicle Certification Agency, data updated 4 October 2026.
Mercedes-Benz GLE price
Mercedes-Benz UK lists the range from £79,995 OTR for the GLE 350 d 4MATIC Urban Edition, but its technical data shows that version with five seats, so the cheapest seven-seat price could not be confirmed. carwow and Drive say every non-hybrid GLE has seven seats, which would make £79,995 the entry point.
Prices checked October 2026.
Safety and recalls
5 stars from Euro NCAP, tested in 2019.
DVSA recalls
The DVSA lists 46 recalls for the GLE. The latest 10:
14 September 2026 · Ref R/2026/326 · 98 vehicles
Installation of the Heat Shield
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain GLE (167 platform) vehicles with OM654 and hybrid drive a heat shield in the firewall area might not be installed according to specification.
Remedy: As a remedy Mercedes-Benz AG via its Mercedes-Benz service partners will check the heat shield and the fuel line on the affected vehicles and rework it if necessary.
Built 21 December 2022 to 10 August 2025
19 June 2026 · Ref R/2026/221 · 21 vehicles
SRPC2607 – Rear Seat Belt Bolting
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain GLE/GLS (167 platform) vehicles the bolting connection of the rear seat belts might not meet specifications.
Remedy: As a remedy Mercedes-Benz AG via its Mercedes-Benz service partners will rework the bolting connection of the affected rear seat belts on the affected vehicles.
Built 23 January 2026 to 5 February 2026
1 July 2025 · Ref R/2025/217 · 3 vehicles
SRPC2509 – Mounting of Multi-Purpose Camera & Interior Mirror
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain GLE/GLS (167 platform) and GLC (254 platform) vehicles the bonding of the multi-purpose camera and/or the interior mirror on the windscreen might not meet specifications.
Remedy: As a precautionary measure Mercedes-Benz AG via its Mercedes-Benz service partners will replace the windscreen on the affected vehicles.
Built 30 August 2024 to 3 September 2024
23 April 2024 · Ref R/2024/173 · 1,939 vehicles
SRPC2405 - Bolting of 48V ground connection
On affected vehicles the 48V ground connection under the passenger seat might have come loose.
Remedy: Check the bolting of the ground connection and correct it if necessary.
Built 7 November 2018 to 27 December 2022
25 March 2024 · Ref R/2024/131 · 1,708 vehicles
SRPC 2402 - Downshift operation transmission software
On certain vehicles the software of the transmission control unit might not meet specifications.
Remedy: Update the transmission control unit software on the affected vehicles.
Built 7 November 2018 to 28 March 2023
11 January 2024 · Ref R/2023/361 · 4 vehicles
On affected vehicles a 12V ground connection bolting under the driver seat might not meet specifications.
On affected vehicles a 12V ground connection bolting under the driver seat might not meet specifications.�
Remedy: Check the bolting of the ground connection on the affected vehicles and rework if necessary.�
Built 9 March 2021 to 26 March 2021
2 January 2024 · Ref R/2023/346 · 3,414 vehicles
On affected vehicles under specific conditions (such as electric driving in wet weather) the required operating force of the brake pedal for a deceleration intended by the driver might be increased.
On affected vehicles under specific conditions (such as electric driving in wet weather) the required operating force of the brake pedal for a deceleration intended by the driver might be increased.�
Remedy: Update the ESP control unit software
Built 3 February 2020 to 24 October 2023
29 August 2023 · Ref R/2023/223 · 808 vehicles
On affected vehicles the fuel pump impeller might not meet specifications and may deform.
On affected vehicles the fuel pump impeller might not meet specifications and may deform.
Remedy: Replace the fuel pump module.
Built 1 March 2022 to 27 December 2022
26 April 2023 · Ref R/2023/091 · 6,961 vehicles
Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain GLE and GLS vehicles (167 platform) the air conditioning drain hoses might be incorrectly fitted in the vehicle. In this case condensation water from the air conditioning might enter the passenger compartment.
On certain vehicles the air conditioning drain hoses might be incorrectly fitted in the vehicle.�
Remedy: Check the air conditioning drain hoses and correct their installation if necessary.�
Built 3 March 2020 to 1 June 2020
26 April 2023 · Ref R/2023/092 · 243 vehicles
Installation of A/C drain hoses
On certain vehicles the air conditioning drain hoses might be incorrectly fitted in the vehicle.�
Remedy: Check the air conditioning drain hoses and correct their installation if necessary.�
Built 29 November 2018 to 18 June 2020
Recall data updated 4 October 2026. Ask a dealer to check a specific car by its registration.
Mercedes-Benz GLE verdict: pros and cons
Our verdict The GLE is a large luxury SUV whose seven-seat versions are diesel only, with a third row that reviewers rate for children. Strong 2,700kg towing and a big five-seat boot count in its favour.
Pros
- 2,700kg braked towing (Mercedes UK)
- 630 litres with five seats in use (diesels)
- Both diesels add a 17kW electric boost
Cons
- Third row suits children and early teens
- Plug-in hybrid is five seats only
- No boot figure with all seven seats up
Good to know
- The GLE 450 e plug-in hybrid is five-seat only, and Mercedes UK quotes a 64 mile electric range from a 25.72kWh usable battery, with the boot falling to 485 litres from 630 litres (Mercedes-Benz UK, Drive)
- Mercedes UK's technical data shows five seats for the entry GLE 350 d Urban Edition, while carwow and Drive say every GLE apart from the plug-in hybrid has seven seats as standard (Mercedes-Benz UK, carwow, Drive)
- The GLE's five-star Euro NCAP rating dates from 2019 and Drive points out it has now expired because it used older test rules (carwow, Drive)
- The diesels add a 17kW (23hp) electric boost to the engine outputs listed by Mercedes UK (Mercedes-Benz UK)
- Auto Express's January 2024 review quoted up to 3,500kg towing with an optional pack and a 1,947mm width, against the 2,700kg braked limit and 2,010mm width now listed by Mercedes UK (Auto Express, Mercedes-Benz UK)
Practicality
The GLE is 4,923mm long and 2,010mm wide without mirrors (2,164mm with them), so it needs a generous parking space. Mercedes UK rates it to tow 2,700kg braked; Auto Express's January 2024 review quoted up to 3,500kg with an optional pack, so confirm the figure for the car you are buying.
That review also gave a 1,947mm width, against the 2,010mm Mercedes UK now lists. Use our size comparison tool to compare it with other 7-seaters.
Alternatives to the Mercedes-Benz GLE
Land Rover
Defender 110
SUV · five, six or seven seats
- Boot, 7 up
- 160 L
- Length
- 4,758mm
- Isofix
- 2
Skoda
Kodiaq
SUV · five or seven seats
- From
- £40,270
- Boot, 7 up
- 340 L
- Length
- 4,758mm
- Isofix
- 3
Volkswagen
Tayron
SUV · five or seven seats
- From
- £42,045
- Boot, 7 up
- 345 L
- Length
- 4,792mm
- Isofix
- 3
Mercedes-Benz GLE FAQs
How long is the Mercedes-Benz GLE?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE is 4,923mm long (4.92m, 16ft 2in), 2,010mm wide without its mirrors and 1,796mm tall.
How many Isofix points does the Mercedes-Benz GLE have?
Two: outer seats in row 2.
Can adults sit in the third row of the Mercedes-Benz GLE?
Not comfortably. The third row is best kept for children.
Is the Mercedes GLE plug-in hybrid a 7-seater?
No. The GLE 450 e plug-in hybrid is sold only with five seats, and its boot is smaller too, 485 litres against 630 in the diesels. Mercedes UK quotes 64 miles of electric range from a 25.72kWh usable battery.
Does every diesel Mercedes GLE have seven seats?
Carwow and Drive say every GLE apart from the plug-in hybrid has seven seats as standard, but Mercedes UK's technical data shows the entry GLE 350 d Urban Edition with five. Until that is resolved, ask the dealer to confirm seven seats on the order.
Is the Mercedes GLE Euro NCAP rating still valid?
The GLE earned five stars in 2019, but Drive points out that the rating has now expired because it used older test rules.
Sources Mercedes-Benz UK, carwow, Drive (Honest John), Auto Express, DVSA, VCA
