My earliest memory of the Mercedes Benz M-Class — now known as the GLE — goes all the way back to its big-screen debut in The Lost World: Jurassic Park. That fully kitted-out off-roader, battling dinosaurs and rough terrain, although it did get destroyed, instantly redefined what I thought a luxury SUV could be. Even two decades later, that scene still holds up, and the Mercedes ML remains etched in my mind as more than just a premium SUV.
Fast forward to today, and Mercedes has sent us the new GLE 450. Powered by a punchy inline six-cylinder petrol engine, it delivers both refinement and performance in equal measure. But what truly stood out for me during my time with it was the ride quality — supremely comfortable, even over Pune’s monsoon-ravaged, pothole-filled roads. It also handles occasional waterlogging with impressive poise. Spending time behind the wheel, you notice just how much the GLE has grown over the years — in size, presence, and character. A chance encounter with a previous generation model in traffic really drove that point home, with the new GLE towering over it.
One minor gripe I had was the forward collision system needing to be manually turned off every time the car restarted. Thankfully, Mercedes has addressed this in the latest MBUX update, allowing you to disable it permanently if you choose. All in all, the GLE 450 blends nostalgia, power, and comfort — a proper evolution of a once-dinosaur-fleeing icon.
