Twin Test: Mercedes-Benz E 300 de Estate vs GLE 350 d SUV | 2021 Estate vs SUV head to head in 4K

In this twin test we compare two estate cars: the E-Class Estate and the GLE SUV. Yes, the GLE is officially categorized as an estate in the UK. We pitch these two titans of luxurious practicality against each other to see if the familiar estate format still reigns supreme or whether an SUV can now be seen as a true alternative to the traditional family hauler.

This was quite an eye-opening test to carry out! Whilst they may look rather different, appearances can be deceiving and these two models are very closely matched.

Which model would you choose? Which one do you think is more estatey? Let us know! Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss a thing.

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Disclaimer: due to me being forgetful, it turns out that the two door E-Class models do have illuminated turbine vents.

Models featured in this video:

Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 d 4MATIC AMG Line Premium Plus SUV
Mercedes-Benz E 300 de EQ Power plug-in hybrid AMG Line Night Edition Premium Plus Estate

Brochures:

GLE SUV: https://tools.mercedes-benz.co.uk/current/passenger-cars/e-brochures/new-gle-suv.pdf
E-Class Saloon and Estate: https://tools.mercedes-benz.co.uk/current/passenger-cars/e-brochures/e-class-saloon-estate-w213-s213.pdf

Written and presented by Ken Pearson.
Filmed by Ken Pearson and the L&L Automotive Marketing Team.
Edited by Ken Pearson.

Things left on the cutting room floor:

Load space: Generally speaking, estates and SUVs of a similar size will have a very similar boot space even if their shapes are slightly different. The E-Class and GLE are separated by just 10 litres with their second rows of seats raised; the E-Class has more depth to its boot than the GLE but the roof is much higher in the GLE.

Price: Yes, there is quite a difference in price for the two models when new. However, I deliberately chose not to factor this in to the result and focus more on the drive and practicality aspects of both cars. On the used market, year old models come to within a few thousand GBP of each other.

0:00 - Intro
0:34 - Meet the E-Class Estate
1:44 - E-Class interior and boot space
5:05 - E-Class driving
7:57 - Meet the GLE SUV
9:29 - GLE interior, MBUX and boot space
13:48 - GLE driving
17:46 - Comparing and concluding
20:48 - Further watching

E 300 de estate additional information: WLTP combined electric driving range 32 - 34 miles. The indicated values were determined according to the prescribed measurement method – Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Figures shown may include options which are not available in the UK. For Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) figures determined with the battery fully charged, using a combination of both battery power and fuel. These models require mains electricity for charging.

Additional assets used:
Images from Mercedes-Benz UK Press: https://mercedes-benz-media.co.uk/

"Japan Airlines, Boeing 787-9 JA866J NRT" by Masakatsu Ukon - Remixed under Creative Commons Licence. Remixed version freely available upon request. Original image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japan_Airlines,_Boeing_787-9_JA866J_NRT_(39796351724).jpg - Air Ken will be open for bookings soon.

"Blue sky with wisps of cloud on a clear summer morning" by Tom Axford 1 - Remixed under Creative Commons Licence. Remixed version freely available upon request. Original image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_sky_with_wisps_of_cloud_on_a_clear_summer_morning.jpg