[Koo-sang Column] Benz GLE becomes softer

Being no doubt, Mercedes-Benz is one of luxury brands centrally with its sedan. Therefore, many of its models are based on sedan and coupe. But, Benz has been working hard on its SUVs, and virtually, it has a lot SUVs.

Usually, carmakers have one or two models for its SUV lineups. Benz, on the contrary. Has 5 different divisions for its SUVs. Based on the car body, Benz’s SUV consists of G, GLS, GLE, GLC, and GLA.

The name was changed in 2014 for easier clarification between sedan and SUVs. Before Benz’ SUVs were called as G, GL, ML or GLK, which had confused a little.

Benz made the name be understood the class easier just like the sedans’ S,E,C,B or A. of course, G class has remained as a symbol of the brand.

Therefore, GLE was ML model before, and it belongs to the mid-size class. GLC, which was called as GLK before, belongs to the lower class than GLE. Virtually, GLC is not small car to see as a lower class than GLE.

Among Benz’s SUV lineup, the highest class dubbed as G class, does not have a huge body, but it is a traditional hard-core SUV with its angular shape. Others are crossover SUVs with their curved shapes.

GLE’s urban design is completed with its curved C-pillar. It was also a characteristic of ML, the past generation model.

Actually, GLE’s radiator grille with Benz’s emblem at the center does not give any differentiated images from other Benz’s SUVs, but round-shaped wheel arches and curved head lamps have emphasized sedan’s appearance, which ultimately makes GLE itself as a crossover SUV.

The newly introduced GLE, the facelift model, is not changed a lot. In its cabin, touch screen and soft shaped vents gives some sedan-like sense.

Head lamps as well as its head lamps are made with xenon and LED. Especially, its tail lamps shows what Benz has recently pursued, the striped pattern LED tail lamps, for giving some unity.

The similar sized GLC gives some strong images, GLE gives soft sense. Maybe, choosing a SUV among Benz’s model, ‘taste’ would be more considered than the ‘performance’.