Top Safety Pick +

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

midsize luxury SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with optional pedestrian front crash prevention

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 4-door SUV — 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Evaluation criteria	Rating
Small overlap front
Moderate overlap front: updated test
Side: updated test

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Headlights
Front crash prevention: pedestrian
Standard system
Optional system

Seat belts & child restraints

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Seat belt reminders
LATCH ease of use

Key

Good
Acceptable
Marginal
Poor

Small overlap front

The small overlap front evaluation consists of a driver-side and a passenger-side component. If the results of the two evaluations differ, then the combined small overlap rating is equal to the lower rating.

Driver-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 GLE conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall driver-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2309
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	2
Footrest (cm)	2
Left toepan (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	4
Parking brake (cm)	0
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column	0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	1
Upper dash (cm)	1
Lower instrument panel (cm)	1

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTN2309
Head
HIC-15	258
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.6
Extension bending moment (Nm)	7
Maximum Nij	0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm)	28
Femur (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	3
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.44
Right	0.48
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.8
Right	1.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	52
Right	57

Passenger-side

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 GLE conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall passenger-side evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2315
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm)	6
Footrest (cm)	9
Right toepan (cm)	6
Center toepan (cm)	4
Rocker panel lateral average (cm)	2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm)	1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm)	4
Upper dash (cm)	4
Right lower dash (cm)	4

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2315
Head
HIC-15	220
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm)	21
Femur (kN)
Left	0.6
Right	0.8
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	1
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.24
Right	0.26
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	2.5
Right	2.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	59
Right	78

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTP2315
Head
HIC-15	143
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm)	6
Maximum Nij	0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm)	32
Femur (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	0.4
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	3
Right	1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.35
Right	0.30
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.4
Right	1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	32
Right	47

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class was redesigned for the 2024 model year.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh/hip
Leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Thigh
Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics

View of the vehicle after the crash showing the airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

The rear passenger dummy's head remained a safe distance from the front seatback.

Rear passenger dummy injury values indicate a low risk of injury to the chest and a moderate risk of injury to the head or neck. During the crash, the shoulder belt remained in an ideal position on the dummy’s chest.

The rear passenger dummy's lap belt remained in the ideal position on the pelvis.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2334
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm)	2
Left (cm)	3
Center (cm)	2
Right (cm)	2
Brake pedal (cm)	2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm)	0
Right (cm)	0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm)	1
Rearward (cm)	-2
A-pillar rearward movement (cm)	0

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	CEF2334
Head
HIC-15	232
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm)	11
Maximum Nij	0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm)	31
Femur (kN)
Left	0.9
Right	0.9
Knee displacement (mm)
Left	2
Right	2
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left	0
Right	0
Maximum tibia index
Left	0.32
Right	0.35
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left	1.9
Right	2.3
Foot acceleration (g)
Left	61
Right	68

Test ID	CEF2334
Head
HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	2.1
Compression (kN)	0.6
Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion	no contact
Chest
Chest index	29
Shoulder belt tension (kN)	5.9
Thigh (kN)
Left femur compression	0.2
Right femur compression	0.2

About the moderate overlap front test

February 2024 adjustment to rating criteria

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 4-door 4wd

The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class was redesigned for the 2024 model year. Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2024 GLE conducted by Mercedes-Benz.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2331
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm)	-19.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2331
Head
HIC-15	50
Peak gs at hard contact	no data
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.9
Compression (kN)	-0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	22
Lateral force (kN)	0.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	34
Average deflection (mm)	30
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	2.86
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.45
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	4.6

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Test ID	VTS2331
Head
HIC-15	232
Peak gs at hard contact	no contact
Neck
Tension (kN)	0.4
Compression (kN)	-0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm)	7
Lateral force (kN)	0.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm)	17
Average deflection (mm)	12
Maximum deflection rate (m/s)	3.00
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s)	0.16
Pelvis
Combined force (kN)	5.0

About the side crash test

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

All trims

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves, fair on the sharp left curve and inadequate on the gradual left curve.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on both right curves and fair on both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims
Low-beam headlight type	LED reflector
High-beam headlight type	LED reflector
Curve-adaptive?	No
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2024-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	110.8 m	None
Straightaway left edge	61.6 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	71.4 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	44.4 m	None
150m radius right curve, right edge	60.2 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	48.6 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	176.8 m
Straightaway left edge	151.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	84.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	72.0 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	65.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	58.3 m

Trim level(s)

All trims equipped with Advanced Lighting package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the left side of the road and inadequate on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test

Evaluation criteria	Measurement
Trim level(s)	All trims equipped with Advanced Lighting package
Low-beam headlight type	LED projector
High-beam headlight type	LED projector
Curve-adaptive?	Yes
High-beam assist?	Yes
Overall rating Applies to 2024-25 models

LOW BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)	Amount glare exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge	76.6 m	None
Straightaway left edge	54.5 m	None
250m radius right curve, right edge	83.5 m	None
250m radius left curve, right edge	63.3 m	26.6%
150m radius right curve, right edge	73.2 m	None
150m radius left curve, left edge	56.1 m	None

HIGH BEAMS	Average minimum useful illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge	145.9 m
Straightaway left edge	158.0 m
250m radius right curve, right edge	91.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge	97.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge	78.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge	79.3 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: pedestrian

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

standard Active Brake Assist

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle nearly avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 18 mph.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle failed to slow when using its high beams and a warning was issued 0.2 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, this vehicle failed to slow and a warning was issued 0.3 seconds before impact.

Rating applies to all 2024-25 models

System details

optional Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function

equipped with Driver Assistance Plus Package package

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Includes high-beam assist credit

Crossing child — day

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult — night

In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, this vehicle avoided a collision.
In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph.

Parallel adult — night

In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 24 mph when using its high beams. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.
In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision when using its high beams and a warning was issued 1.8 seconds before impact. When using its low beams, impact speed was reduced by 8 mph and a warning was issued 0.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Seat belt reminders

Rating applies to 2024-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Front row
Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration	Long enough (90+ seconds)
Volume
Audio frequency
Second row
Startup status alert (visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 60 seconds
Belt disengaged alert (audible & visual)
Initiation time
Duration at least 30 seconds
Volume
Audio frequency

Technical measurements for this test

About the seat belt reminder evaluation

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2020-25 models

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	GLE 350
Seat type	leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Evaluation criteria	Rating
Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim	GLE 350
Seat type	leather

Rating icon	Rating
G	Good
A	Acceptable
M	Marginal
P	Poor
	Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol	Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol	Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol	Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
	No hardware available

Details by seating position

Position	Rating
1
1	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors
2
2	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	none available
3
3	Tether anchor
	easy-to-find location
	no other hardware could be confused for anchor
	Lower anchors
	not too deep in seat
	not too much force needed to attach
	easy to maneuver around anchors

Technical measurements for this test

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	88
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	83
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

Lower anchor A
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	88
Lower anchor B
Open access rated	Yes
Depth	Visible
Force (lbs)	0
Clearance angle (degrees)	87
Tether anchor
Location	Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present	Yes
Has contrasting label within 3 inches of tether anchor	Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed while seatback is properly positioned for use of LATCH	Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation

Background cabin sound pressure level at 24 km/h	50 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 24 km/h	74 dB
Difference between background and signal	23.0 dB
Background cabin sound pressure level at 40 km/h	53 dB
Audible signal sound pressure level at 40 km/h	71 dB
Difference between background and signal	17.7 dB
Dominant audio frequency	664 Hz