Embarking on a solo road trip is a unique pleasure, a chance to escape the routine and discover new horizons. Recently, an invitation to West Virginia for an off-road vehicle test presented the perfect opportunity for such an adventure. Faced with a lengthy nine-hour journey involving flights and transfers from Detroit to Logan, West Virginia, the appeal of a direct 400-mile drive became undeniable. With the green light from Mercedes-Benz, the keys to a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE350 4MATIC SUV were secured, and the open road beckoned. This wasn’t just about getting from point A to point B; it was about experiencing the journey in a vehicle designed for comfort, technology, and effortless cruising – the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350.
Tunes: Immersive Audio with MBUX and Burmester
For any road trip aficionado, the essentials are clear: music, sustenance, and supreme comfort. The 2020 GLE350 immediately catered to the auditory senses with its state-of-the-art MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) system. This intuitive infotainment system, lauded for its artificial intelligence and learning capabilities, provides seamless voice control over a plethora of vehicle functions, most notably audio. Gone are the days of complex Mercedes-Benz infotainment interfaces; MBUX is refreshingly simple and user-friendly. The expansive 12.3-inch widescreen display atop the center stack, coupled with a matching 12.3-inch configurable instrument panel, creates a visually stunning and information-rich cockpit. Standard inclusion of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay ensured effortless smartphone integration, while the Premium Package ($1,850) in the test GLE 350 elevated the audio experience to new heights with the Burmester Surround Sound system. This premium audio setup provided access to a vast library of music and streaming services via iPhone, alongside SiriusXM satellite radio, HD radio, and AM/FM, guaranteeing a rich and diverse audio landscape for the entire journey. Switching between playlists, podcasts, news, and other audio sources was seamless, all delivered with exceptional fidelity. The Premium Package’s inductive wireless charging was another thoughtful addition, allowing for effortless iPhone charging by simply placing it in the center console cubby, ensuring a full battery throughout the trip.
Comestibles and Convenience: Road Trip Essentials
While the GLE 350 doesn’t magically provide snacks and beverages, it excels in offering convenient and readily accessible storage, a critical aspect for any successful road trip. Just as an army marches on its stomach, so too does an automotive journalist on a long drive. Stocking up on healthy snacks and drinks is paramount, minimizing stops to only essential bio-breaks, refueling, and restocking provisions. The road trip menu for this adventure included beef jerky, refreshing cucumber spears, crisp celery stalks, and satisfying sunflower seeds. Beverage choices ranged from a vital cup of coffee to kickstart the day, to hydrating bottles of water for the long haul, and a revitalizing Rock Star Lemonade for the final afternoon push. The GLE 350 provided ample space to keep these essentials within easy reach, featuring two generously sized cupholders in the center console, a large covered storage bin beneath the armrest, and practical bottle holders integrated into the front doors. This abundance of storage ensured that road trip necessities were always accessible and organized.
Comfort Redefined: Seats, Climate, and Energizing Features
In a luxury SUV, comfort is not just expected; it’s a fundamental requirement. Here, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 surpassed expectations, particularly in seat design. The seats are exceptionally comfortable, offering excellent support and a wide range of adjustability. The test GLE 350 was equipped with Black Leather seats ($1,620) and the Warmth and Comfort package ($1,050), which added heated front seats, heated armrests, and even heated door panels, creating a cocoon of warmth. Further enhancing the comfort quotient was the Energizing Comfort package ($2,100), introducing front-seat ventilation and massage functions. A standout feature was the adjustable thigh cushion extension on the front seats, providing enhanced leg support, a welcome feature during extended driving periods. This level of seat customization and comfort-focused features transformed long hours behind the wheel into a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
The GLE 350 takes comfort beyond the tactile, engaging multiple senses to enhance the driving experience. Adjustable ambient lighting allows for customization of the cabin’s mood, shifting the interior ambiance to suit preferences. The MBUX system also integrates with the vehicle’s drowsy driver detection system. Going beyond a simple “coffee cup” warning, MBUX proactively suggests engaging the “REFRESH” mode when drowsiness is detected. This innovative system initiates an invigorating seat massage, a stimulating light display, and an energizing instrumental soundtrack, all synchronized to combat driver fatigue and sharpen focus. Engaging this feature proved beneficial during monotonous highway stretches where road hypnosis threatened to set in. The massage function was genuinely effective, and the light show added a touch of novelty. While the provided music leaned towards a dance club vibe, it served as inspiration to switch to personally curated driving playlists, easily done through MBUX. This intelligent and proactive system fostered a sense of partnership between driver and SUV, enhancing overall road trip enjoyment.
Driving Dynamics and Performance
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 prioritizes comfort not only in its interior features but also in its powertrain, steering, and handling. While the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine isn’t overtly powerful, it proves more than adequate for propelling the GLE 350 at a brisk pace. The nine-speed automatic transmission operates with remarkable smoothness and efficiency in most driving scenarios. The engine and transmission combination only exhibited a hint of strain when demanding a sudden downshift for overtaking, where the response felt slightly abrupt. Encountering a light snowstorm on the return journey highlighted the value of the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. The GLE 350 remained composed and sure-footed, inspiring confidence in challenging conditions.
Advanced Driver Assistance for a Relaxing Journey
The test GLE 350 was equipped with the Driver Assistance Package Plus ($2,250), a suite of advanced driver assistance technologies, including Active Distance Assist Distronic, an advanced adaptive cruise control system. Distronic proved invaluable during long highway stretches, significantly reducing driver fatigue. However, navigating the winding roads of the West Virginia mountains revealed a limitation. On downhill sections, Distronic exhibited unpredictable behavior, inexplicably decelerating the GLE 350 by 10 to 15 mph, almost perceiving the road ahead as an obstacle. This unexpected deceleration, particularly when surrounding traffic maintained or increased speed downhill, felt unsettling, necessitating deactivation of Distronic via a steering wheel button. Despite this specific scenario, the advanced driver assistance features in the GLE 350 undeniably enhanced driving ease, relaxation, and overall safety throughout the majority of the road trip.
Road Trip Partner: Overall Impression of the 2020 GLE 350
After covering over 800 miles in the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC, a strong appreciation for this luxury SUV developed. With a base price of $56,200, the well-equipped test vehicle reached an as-tested price of $72,685. The more miles accumulated, the more appealing and practical features were discovered. Ownership of a 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 promises a continuous process of discovery and the inspiration for countless future road trips.
Conclusion
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC stands out as an exceptional luxury SUV, perfectly suited for long road trips and daily driving alike. Its blend of cutting-edge technology, opulent comfort, and confident driving dynamics creates a compelling package for those seeking a refined and enjoyable automotive experience. From the immersive MBUX infotainment to the supportive and feature-rich seats, every aspect of the GLE 350 is designed with driver and passenger well-being in mind, making it an ideal companion for any journey.
