In-depth reviews

Mercedes GLE hybrid boot space & seating

The GLE 350 de is less roomy than other models in the range due to its bulky batteries

Overall rating

4.0 out of 5

Boot space, seating & practicality rating

3.5 out of 5

Fuel Type:
Hybrid Diesel
LengthWidthHeightBoot volume (seats up/down)
5,054mm2,018mm1,795mm490/1,915 litres

The GLE is a very large car – over five metres long and over two metres wide. That means it’s a bit unwieldy around town and in tight car parks, but it does benefit interior space. Unlike rival models such as the BMW X5 and Volvo XC90, the GLE isn't available with seven seats. If you don’t need the extra space for passengers that won’t matter, but it’ll be a reason to discount the car entirely for some prospective buyers. Like most of Mercedes’ plug-in hybrid range, the batteries take up quite a lot of room and reduce boot space significantly compared to the non-electrified version.

Mercedes GLE hybrid interior space, storage & comfort

There’s lots of space in the GLE. In the front the seats are very comfortable and heated as standard, while in the back there’s lots of leg and headroom, so even adults will be able to get settled. The comfortable ride will be good news for anyone planning a long trip, too. There’s a large central bin in the GLE, plus some extra storage behind the gear selector. The door bins are large and have space for a big water bottle.

Boot space

Unfortunately, the GLE 350 de isn’t as roomy as a non-electrified GLE such as the 300 d. In the normal diesel version, there’s 630 litres of boot space, but that drops to 490 litres in the plug-in. Similarly, when you fold the seats down there’s 2,055 litres of space in the regular car, but 1,915 in the plug-in. There’s also no dedicated spot to store the charging cables when they're not in use, which reduces space even more. Yet the GLE is so roomy anyway that these reductions don’t mean the Mercedes is tight for space – it’s still a very spacious car and the boot, particularly with the seats folded, is very large.

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