The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 stands as a testament to luxury and performance in the SUV market. This model year offered a compelling blend of comfort, advanced technology, and robust engineering, making it a sought-after vehicle for discerning drivers. Let’s delve into the details that define the 2017 GLE 350, exploring its standard features, optional packages, and powertrain specifications.
Standard Features of the 2017 GLE 350: Setting the Baseline for Luxury
Mercedes-Benz equipped the base 2017 GLE 350 with a comprehensive suite of standard features designed to enhance both convenience and driving pleasure. Exterior highlights immediately convey its premium nature, including:
- 19-inch alloy wheels: Providing a strong stance and contributing to the vehicle’s sophisticated appearance.
- LED daytime running lights and taillights: Ensuring visibility and adding a modern touch to the lighting signature.
- Front and rear foglights: Enhancing safety in adverse weather conditions.
- Automatic wipers: Offering convenience and improved visibility during rain.
- Sunroof: Bringing natural light into the cabin and enhancing the feeling of spaciousness.
- Roof rack: Adding practicality and versatility for carrying cargo.
- Rear privacy glass: Increasing passenger privacy and reducing glare.
- Power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors: Adding convenience and safety features for daily driving.
- Power liftgate: Simplifying access to the cargo area, a hallmark of modern SUVs.
Stepping inside the 2017 GLE 350 reveals a cabin crafted for comfort and sophistication. Standard interior features include:
- Dual-zone automatic climate control: Ensuring personalized comfort for both driver and front passenger.
- Wood trim: Adding a touch of classic elegance to the interior design.
- Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel: Allowing drivers to find their ideal driving position.
- Heated and power front seats: Providing comfort and adjustability for front occupants.
- Driver memory functions: Storing seat, steering wheel, and mirror settings for multiple drivers.
- MB-Tex premium vinyl upholstery: Offering a durable and luxurious alternative to traditional cloth.
- LED accent lighting: Creating a refined and inviting ambiance within the cabin.
- Mercedes’ COMAND electronics interface: Featuring an 8-inch display for managing vehicle functions and entertainment.
- Backup camera: Enhancing safety and ease of parking maneuvers.
- 4G LTE data connection: Providing connectivity for online services and features.
- Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity: Enabling hands-free communication and wireless audio streaming.
- Eight-speaker audio system: Delivering quality sound with HD radio, a CD player, and a USB port.
Beyond these comfort and convenience features, the 2017 GLE 350 also prioritizes safety with a range of standard safety systems, contributing to Mercedes-Benz’s renowned safety reputation.
Optional Packages: Elevating the 2017 GLE 350 Experience
For those seeking an even more enriched driving experience, Mercedes-Benz offered several optional packages for the 2017 GLE 350. These packages bundled together desirable features, allowing buyers to customize their SUV to their specific preferences:
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Premium 1 package: This popular package included keyless ignition and entry for added convenience, a navigation system to guide your journeys, satellite radio for expanded entertainment options, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration for seamless connectivity, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system for audiophile-quality sound, a rear 115-volt household-style power outlet for powering devices, and blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning systems to enhance safety.
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Premium 2 package: Building upon the Premium 1 package, the Premium 2 package added adaptive LED headlights for improved nighttime visibility, automatic high-beam headlights for added convenience and safety, heated and cooled cupholders for year-round beverage temperature control, and rear sunshades for passenger comfort.
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Premium 3 package: The most comprehensive of the Premium packages, Premium 3 included all features from Premium 1 and 2, and further added adaptive cruise control for effortless highway driving, a collision avoidance system to mitigate potential accidents, lane keeping assist (referred to in the original text as lane departure warning system, likely an overlap or slight naming difference), and an automated parking system for simplified parking in tight spots.
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Exterior Sport package: For a more athletic appearance, the Exterior Sport package offered 20-inch wheels and an AMG body kit, giving the GLE 350 a more aggressive and dynamic look.
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Night package: Expanding on the sporty theme, the Night package included the contents of the Exterior Sport package along with gloss-black exterior trim pieces and wheels, further emphasizing the vehicle’s sporty aesthetic.
Individual options were also available, such as leather upholstery to replace the standard MB-Tex, allowing for further personalization of the GLE 350’s interior.
Powertrain and Performance of the 2017 GLE 350
Under the hood of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 lies a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine. This powerplant delivers 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power for daily driving and confident highway cruising. The engine is paired with a smooth-shifting seven-speed automatic transmission.
While rear-wheel drive was standard for the GLE 350, Mercedes-Benz’s renowned 4Matic all-wheel-drive system was available as an option, providing enhanced traction and stability, particularly in inclement weather conditions. Regardless of drivetrain, the 2017 GLE 350 features fuel-saving automatic engine stop-start technology to improve efficiency.
Fuel economy for the 2017 GLE 350 is EPA-rated at 20 mpg combined (18 city/23 highway) for the rear-wheel-drive model and 19 mpg combined (18 city/22 highway) for the 4Matic all-wheel-drive version. In terms of performance, the GLE 350 4Matic demonstrated a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 6.8 seconds in Edmunds testing, placing it competitively within its segment.
Towing Capacity and Versatility
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 also offered impressive towing capability for an SUV in its class. When properly equipped, the rear-wheel-drive GLE 350 could tow up to 6,600 pounds, while the GLE 350 4Matic and other GLE models could handle up to 7,200 pounds. This capability added to the versatility of the GLE 350, making it suitable for owners who need to haul trailers or other recreational equipment.
Conclusion: The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 – A Blend of Luxury and Capability
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 successfully combined luxurious appointments with practical SUV functionality. Its comprehensive list of standard features, available optional packages, and capable powertrain made it a strong contender in the premium SUV market. Whether prioritizing comfort, technology, or performance, the 2017 GLE 350 offered a compelling package for drivers seeking a refined and versatile vehicle. For those in the market for a pre-owned luxury SUV, the 2017 Mercedes-benz Gle Gle 350 remains a model worthy of serious consideration.
