Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e Coupe 4Matic Review: Plugging Into Prestige

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when Stuttgart’s engineers decide to blend eco-consciousness with old-school opulence, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e Coupe is your answer. It’s big, it’s expensive (comfortably hovering around the half-a-million-dollar mark in Singapore), and it’s electrified - because, of course, it has to be. This is 2026.

Let’s get the numbers out of the way first, because they matter here. Under the bonnet sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four, paired with an electric motor. Combined output? A healthy 381 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque. That’s enough to haul this rather substantial machine from 0 to 100 km/h in about 6.1 seconds - not blistering by today’s standard, I’ll give you that, but certainly respectable for something that weighs as much as a small landed property…

The battery allows for a meaningful electric-only range, which means your daily school run or office commute can be done in near silence; assuming you remember to charge it, of course. Forget, and you’re just lugging around extra weight like a, err, gym membership you don’t use.

Driving It

On the move, the all-wheel drive GLE 400e immediately reveals its dual personality. At low speeds, especially when moving off, you can feel the heft. There’s a slight lethargy - like the car is politely asking, “Are you sure about this?”

Even in Sport mode, when you prod the accelerator after braking (say, when a particularly kiasu driver cuts into your carefully measured safety gap), there’s a noticeable pause before the car gathers itself and surges forward. It’s not slow, but it’s not exactly eager either - you’ll get up to speed, just not with the immediacy you might expect from the figures on paper.

Once you’re rolling though, things improve dramatically. The ride is plush, soaking up Singapore’s less-than-perfect road surfaces with the kind of nonchalance you’d expect at this price point. The suspension irons out bumps like they’re minor inconveniences, not actual obstacles.

Handling is tidy for something this size. It doesn’t shrink around you like a hot hatch, true, but it remains composed and predictable. Through corners, there’s decent body control, though physics still has the final say - you’re aware this is a large SUV coupe, not a sports car in disguise.

Braking performance is strong and confidence-inspiring. There’s a reassuring bite to the pedal, and despite the added complexity of regenerative braking, it feels natural enough not to require a mental recalibration every time you slow down.

The Inside Story

Step inside, and it becomes immediately clear where a significant chunk of that half-million dollars has gone.

The build quality is, quite simply, impeccable. Materials feel expensive because they are expensive; soft-touch surfaces, precise stitching, and solid switchgear all come together to create an environment that’s genuinely hard to fault. There’s a sense of solidity here that lesser SUVs can only aspire to.

Space is another strong suit. Despite the coupe-like roofline, the cabin remains surprisingly accommodating. Front occupants are treated to generous legroom and headroom, while rear passengers won’t feel shortchanged either - unless they’re NBA-like…

Comfort is where the GLE 400e truly shines. The seats are supportive without being overly firm, and long drives feel less like a chore and more like a mild indulgence. As a family hauler, it ticks all the right boxes; as a daily driver to the office and back, it does so with quiet competence.

Boot space stands at around 510-litres, which is decent, though slightly compromised due to battery placement. Still, it’s more than sufficient for groceries, luggage, and the occasional impulse buy from a certain DIY furniture store.

In A Nutshell

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e Coupe is, in many ways, exactly what you’d expect from a modern luxury SUV. It’s refined, technologically advanced, and built to a standard that justifies its asking price.

But it’s also a car that prioritises composure over urgency. It won’t thrill you off the line, and it won’t encourage spirited driving in the way some rivals might. Instead, it excels as a comfortable, well-appointed cruiser that happens to be kinder to your fuel bill; if you play your part and also keep it charged.

Objectively speaking, it’s a very accomplished package. Not perfect, but impressively well-rounded. And in a segment where expectations are sky-high, that’s saying quite a lot.

Carbon fibre bits in the engine compartment make things interesting.

Standard air suspension allows you to raise or lower the car's height. Offroading? Let's go...

Lowering the rear suspension eases the loading height, making it noticeably simpler to handle bulky items.

Audiophiles will surely appreciate the premium Burmester sound system.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

---

Car you sell, Carousell. Get the highest quote for your car in just 24 hours, with assistance on paperwork too!