How safe is the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class?
Drivers of the 2020–2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class died at a rate of 11 per million registered vehicle years, 68% lower than the average of 37 for all vehicles. That makes it one of the safest vehicles on the road for its driver: it ranks 22nd of 129 vehicles, safer than 84% of them, whether they're small cars, SUVs, pickups or minivans.
Where the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class sits among all 129 vehicles
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class (bar is the 95% range)Every other ranked vehicleDashed line: average of 37
The rate is based on plenty of data, so this ranking is reliable.
2WD vs. 4WD
IIHS rates each drivetrain separately. The score above combines them, weighting the version with more data more heavily.
| Version | Deaths* | 95% range |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 2WD | 0 | 0–25 |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 4WD | 13 | 0–25 |
Vehicles ranked near the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
These are the vehicles just above and below it on the all-class ranking. Notice they aren't all the same type: the ranking compares every vehicle against every other one. Ranks use each rate after adjusting for how much data is behind it, so a rate of 0 from a few vehicles can rank below a slightly higher rate from many. Why.
| Rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Ford Bronco 4WDSUV · Midsize | 10 | 86 |
| 20 | Chevrolet Silverado 3500 crew cab 4WDPickup · Very large | 10 | 85 |
| 21 | Toyota Highlander hybrid 4WDSUV · Midsize | 11 | 84 |
| 22 | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassLuxury SUV · Midsize | 11 | 84 |
| 23 | Honda OdysseyWagon / minivan · Very large | 11 | 83 |
| 24 | Jeep Grand Cherokee L 4WDSUV · Midsize | 11 | 82 |
| 25 | Toyota Sienna hybridWagon / minivan · Very large | 12 | 81 |
How it compares with other luxury SUVs
Among the 24 luxury SUVs ranked, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is 10th. The safest luxury SUVs are below. See all luxury SUVs.
| Luxury SUVs rank | Vehicle | Deaths* | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BMW X7 4WDLuxury SUV · Large | 0 | 99 |
| 2 | Audi Q7 4WDLuxury SUV · Large | 0 | 98 |
| 3 | Porsche Macan 4WDLuxury SUV · Midsize | 4 | 98 |
| 4 | BMW X5Luxury SUV · Midsize | 5 | 97 |
| 5 | Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class 4WDLuxury SUV · Small | 0 | 93 |
| 10 | Mercedes-Benz GLE-ClassLuxury SUV · Midsize | 11 | 84 |
Common questions
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class a safe vehicle?
By real-world driver deaths, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is one of the safest vehicles on the road for its driver. Its driver death rate of 11 per million registered vehicle years is 68% lower than the average, and it ranks 22nd of 129 vehicles across all classes.
How does the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class compare with other luxury SUVs?
It ranks 10th of 24 luxury SUVs. The safest is the BMW X7 4WD, with a rate of 0.
Is the 2WD or 4WD Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class safer?
The 2WD version had the lower driver death rate (2WD: 0, 4WD: 13). Their ranges overlap, so the difference may be down to chance.
Why is this different from the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class's crash-test rating?
Crash-test stars only compare vehicles of similar size and weight, so a 5-star small car and a 5-star SUV aren't equally safe. This ranking uses real-world driver death rates, which can be compared across every class.
* Driver deaths per million registered vehicle years. A registered vehicle year is one vehicle registered for one year.