Mercedes-Benz GLE first drive review

• Read our first drive review of the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe here

A name change can be fraught with disaster in the car industry as consumers don't know what they're getting. Look at the Nissan Tiida, as a prime example; it was a Pulsar by any other name, but nobody knew, it flopped and forced the Japanese car maker to dig the old name out of the cupboard.

But Mercedes-Benz hopes switching its popular luxury SUV from the well-known ML-Class badge to the new GLE nameplate will make things simpler as it brings the large, luxury soft roader in-line with a logical policy that creates a stepping stone through its ranks. The GL part simply signifies it as an SUV while the E suffix identifies its position on the ladder to correspond with its passenger car families, placing it above the baby GLA and soon-to-arrive GLC and below the larger, seven-seat model that will be renamed GLS.

The GLE arrives in Australian showrooms this month with more than just a new badge though as it coincides with a major facelift that brings updated exterior styling and revisions to the interior with the inclusion of Benz's latest 8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia tablet and rotary controller, new instruments, new steering wheel and a multi-mode Dynamic Controller that alters the driving characteristics of the car.

The model range mimics the five-tiered family of the ML, although prices have risen by between $3000 and $7000 over its predecessors. Mercedes-Benz counters the increase with additional equipment on all variants that is valued beyond the price rise itself.

Like before, the GLE family opens with an entry-level 250d powered by a 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel that generates 150kW at 3800rpm and 500Nm of pulling power between 1600-1800rpm. Now fitted with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, as well as LED headlights, keyless entry and start and a powered tailgate, it is the most efficient of the range with a claimed average consumption of 6.0L/100km and costs from $86,900 (plus on-road costs).

Those who demand a bit more performance, but without too much penalty in fuel consumption, the 350d comes with a 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel that produces 190kW/620Nm and has a claimed average consumption of 6.6L/100km while slashing its acceleration to 100km/h by 1.5 seconds down to 7.1 seconds. It costs from $104,900 (plus on-road costs).

For $5k more, the GLE400 has a petrol V6 of the same capacity with maximum outputs of 245kW/480Nm and comes fitted with a few extras, such as standard sunroof and high-grade Harmon Kardon audio.

For the full luxury experience, the $127,900 (plus on-roads) GLE500 has heated and ventilated front seats, additional fake leather trim on the dash and doors and larger 21-inch wheels, As far as mechanical upgrades are concerned, it gets the most significant modifications with its 4.7-litre twin-turbo V8 tweaked to deliver 320kW and 700Nm - 20kW and 100Nm more than before - while lowering fuel use to 11.0L/100km.

Sitting at the top of the range is the most powerful SUV on-sale in Australia at the moment with the AMG GLE63 S, which has a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 that delivers 430kW and 760Nm. It moves in-line with the rest of Mercedes Australia's AMG range by coming in only in the high-performance S specification which adds 44kW and 60Nm as standard, lowering its ability to slingshot to triple figures in just 4.2 seconds.

The GLE63 S is also now fitted with staggered 22-inch alloy wheels (measuring 285mm on the front and a massive 325mm on the rear) as well as a sports exhaust, AMG Driver's Package that lifts its top speed to 280km/h and a host of unique AMG trim to the interior, such as heavily-bolstered seats, sports steering wheel, exclusive instruments, panoramic sunroof and a microsuede roof lining.

On the road, the GLE250d presents itself as a well-balanced package that, on face value, is all you'll ever as a family runabout. The four cylinder engine  revs cleanly and has plenty of mid-range pulling power once the turbo has built up boost, which is aided by the nine-speed gearbox that manages to keep it in the sweet spot most of the time.

As the GLE is still based on Benz's last-generation platform, the steering is a little wooden and the base-level non-adaptive suspension is kept busy managing its mass over bumps and through the bends. But it feels surefooted when pushed eagerly, secure at highway speeds and reasonably comfortable around town.

The 350d is probably the sweet spot for everyday use. Its engine is even smoother and quieter in the way it revs, and builds up steam quicker, making it feel both more effortless when you need it to be and more energetic when you want to drive enthusiastically.

The twin-turbo petrol V6 in the 400 offers a bit more top-end performance but needs to be worked harder at lower revs, and, considering it consumes almost 30 percent more fuel doing so, kind of sits in no-man's land in the middle.

The V8 versions, however, have clearly defined characters. The GLE500 is silky smooth and refined yet has staggering reserves of steam when called upon. It is also respectably quiet with just a hint of its V8 burbling from the exhaust pipes under acceleration.

With active anti-roll bars fitted as standard to its air suspension it also massages out most bumps in the road and sits flat through the corners.

At the other end of the spectrum, the AMG is obnoxious ? in all the right ways. Even with its sports exhaust closed, it produces a glorious soundtrack from its four cannon-sized tailpipes. Flick the Dynamic Select to its unique Sport + setting, however, and not only is the volume is amplified, but it cracks like a stock whip under full throttle gear changes and gargles unburnt fuel like a dragon when you back off the throttle.

The engine is also explosive in the way it unleashes the full brunt of torque and accelerates rapidly towards the horizon.

The 63 S is noticeably sharper in the way it rides and steers too, but has excellent body control over the bumps and plenty of grip through the corners.

Across the range, the upgrades to the cabin ? particularly the tablet screen in the top of the centre console ? adds more convenience and connectivity to the cabin, but the dashboard's largely carry over design and some elements, such as the button-laden controls in the middle, awkward storage spaces and hard plastics in places, highlight the GLE's ageing origins.

Even still, the five-seater cabin offers plenty of space with good head room for all occupants and generous legroom for adults to travel without impediment in the rear while the 690L boot is capacious enough to deal with a full family holiday.

In the end, the GLE's updated styling keeps it fresh, the added equipment keeps it up to speed on the value front and the 350d and AMG63 S are absolute standouts at opposite ends of the driving spectrum. But, while the GLE might introduce a new name, the reality is it's not an all-new car.

Mercedes-Benz GLE350d price and specifications

Price: $104,900 (plus on-road costs)

On-sale: now

Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel

Power: 190kW at 3400rpm

Torque: 620Nm at 1600rpm

Transmission: 9-spd automatic, AWD

Fuel use: 6.6L/100km