carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $55,737–$65,599 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.2/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 8.4/10, while Reliability at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.5/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.3/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. On technology it rates 8.4/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $55,737–$65,599, 21 MPG, seating 5, the Mercedes-Benz GLE sits in the premium tier of the suv category. The value score of 6.7/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and performance and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE ranks #1611 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 34% of the segment. Its 7.2/10 overall score is 0.2 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $55,737 starting price is about 54% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.2 — and starts roughly $5,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.4/10 | $63,087 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.4/10 | $63,087 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.4/10 | $61,250 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.4/10 | $59,412 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $57,575 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.2/10 | $55,737 | |
| 2020 | 7.2/10 | $53,900 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.1/10 | $52,062 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.1/10 | $50,225 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.1/10 | $48,387 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.0/10 | $46,550 | Read review → |
We rate the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE's reliability 6.5/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance.
It scores 7.2/10 overall, ranking #1611 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 34% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE starts at $55,737 and ranges up to $65,599 across trims (MSRP when new). At 21 MPG, expect roughly $2,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Mercedes-Benz models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.