Mercedes GLE Coupe SUV - MPG, running costs & CO2
Both engines are thirsty and costly to insure
Regardless of which engine you choose, the Mercedes GLE Coupe is a big, heavy and fast SUV that will require deep pockets to run. The plug-in hybrid powertrain in the GLE 350 de should at least make it cheaper to run day-to-day.
Mercedes GLE Coupe MPG & CO2
Because of its niche status and high-performance billing, only six-cylinder petrol and diesel 3.0-litre engines were offered in the GLE Coupe at first, making it expensive to run. The GLE 400d diesel returns up to 33.6mpg and emits 219g/km of CO2, putting it in the highest company-car tax band. The less-powerful BMW X6 30d is slightly easier on the wallet, returning up to 46mpg.
By far the cheapest version to run, particularly for company-car drivers, is the plug-in hybrid GLE 350 de. Its 30.8kWh battery is larger than that found in early versions of the Nissan Leaf electric car, and can propel this big SUV for up to 66 miles before the diesel engine is required. This gives its official economy figures a huge helping hand, resulting in 313.9mpg and 23g/km of CO2. You'll only manage to use this little fuel if you keep the battery charged for every journey but its low emissions see Benefit-in-Kind bills slashed for business drivers.
Mercedes' mild-hybrid technology means the economy drop for the AMG GLE 53 version isn't as big as you might expect, because it can coast with the engine off at higher speeds, and the electric motor lends a hand under acceleration. Road tax for every GLE Coupe costs £475 in the first five renewal years, after which it reduces to £150 annually. These figures drop by £10 for the GLE 350 de.
Insurance groups
Expect high ratings when official groups are announced - even the entry-level standard GLE starts from group 44 out of 50.
Warranty
All Mercedes models come with a standard three-year/unlimited mileage warranty in the UK. This can be extended for an extra cost, and matches the cover offered by BMW.
Servicing
Don't expect Mercedes maintenance to be cheap, but there is at least a fixed-price system so you can check in advance how much you'll need to fork out for servicing and parts. Entering into a servicing deal for two, three or four services makes budgeting easier, as you can pay up front or monthly.
