Best Mercedes-Benz GLE Model Years (Ranked) in 2027
By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 6 min read
Direct answer
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167 facelift) is the best GLE model year: NHTSA lists 31 complaints and 2 recall campaigns, and KBB Fair Purchase Prices run from $56,700 to $81,300. The V167 generation is the best overall, with the 2025 and 2023 in the top two spots; the 2019 (W166) is the best under $20,000 at 34 complaints and $19,200.
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $10,950 for the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC (originally $53,135) up to $18,500 for the ML 63 AMG 4MATIC (originally $100,115)
Buyers who want the last ML-Class, with up to 25 combined mpg
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,900 for the GLE 300d 4MATIC (originally $65,095) up to $16,500 for the GLE 550e plug-in hybrid (originally $67,295)
Buyers who want a W166 GLE from $14,900, including the diesel
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167 facelift)
Best V167 for less
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167)
Best under $20,000
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE (W166)
Cheapest
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (W166)
The ranking
1
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167 facelift)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe newest and least-complained-about.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $56,700 for the GLE 350 (originally $63,000) up to $81,300 for the GLE 580 4MATIC (originally $90,350)NHTSA recalls: 2 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2025 GLE (unique campaign numbers across its GLE 350, GLE 400, GLE 450, GLE 580 and related model names)NHTSA complaints: 31 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2025 GLE (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 3.9 out of 5 for reliability on its 2020-2025 GLE pages, from 52 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 255-510 hp and 17-23 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2025 GLE is a facelifted V167 and the one owners complain about least: NHTSA lists 31 complaints and 2 recall campaigns. KBB gives 255-510 hp and 17-23 combined mpg, and Fair Purchase Prices run from $56,700 for the GLE 350 to $81,300 for the GLE 580 4MATIC. A low complaint count partly reflects less time on the road.
Go ifBuyers who want the newest GLE here and the fewest NHTSA complaints
Skip ifYou want to spend under $50,000
Why #1 over #2: It lists 31 complaints versus 33 for the 2023 and 2 recalls versus 4, though it costs from $56,700 against $35,600.
2
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe V167 with the best price-to-complaints balance.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $35,600 for the GLE 350 (originally $58,750) up to $58,900 for the GLE 580 4MATIC (originally $84,900)NHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2023 GLE (unique campaign numbers across its GLE 350, GLE 400, GLE 450, GLE 580 and related model names)NHTSA complaints: 33 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2023 GLE (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 3.9 out of 5 for reliability on its 2020-2025 GLE pages, from 52 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 255-483 hp and 18-22 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2023 GLE is a V167 and the best balance of price and complaints: NHTSA lists 33 complaints and 4 recall campaigns, and KBB Fair Purchase Prices run from $35,600 for the GLE 350 to $58,900 for the GLE 580 4MATIC, with 255-483 hp and 18-22 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a V167 GLE for well under $40,000
Skip ifYou want a facelifted 2024-or-later front end
Why #2 over #3: It lists 33 complaints versus 34 for the 2019, though the 2019 starts lower, at $19,200 versus $35,600.
3
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE (W166)
Photo: Navigator84 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best used GLE under $20,000.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $19,200 for the GLE 400 4MATIC (originally $64,115), the only trim KBB listsNHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2019 GLE (unique campaign numbers across its GLE 350, GLE 400, GLE 450, GLE 580 and related model names)NHTSA complaints: 34 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 GLE (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its 2016-2019 GLE pages, from 32 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 329 hp and 20 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2019 GLE is the last W166 and the best under $20,000: KBB lists one trim, the GLE 400 4MATIC, at $19,200 against an original $64,115. NHTSA lists 34 complaints and 4 recall campaigns, and KBB gives 329 hp and 20 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the last W166 GLE under $20,000
Skip ifYou want the newer V167 screens and interior
Why #3 over #4: It lists 34 complaints versus 53 for the 2024, at $19,200 versus $45,100.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $45,100 for the GLE 350 4MATIC (originally $63,700) up to $63,100 for the GLE 580 4MATIC (originally $87,750)NHTSA recalls: 5 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2024 GLE (unique campaign numbers across its GLE 350, GLE 400, GLE 450, GLE 580 and related model names)NHTSA complaints: 53 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2024 GLE (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 3.9 out of 5 for reliability on its 2020-2025 GLE pages, from 52 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 248-510 hp and 17-23 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2024 GLE is the first facelifted V167, from $45,100 for the GLE 350 4MATIC to $63,100 for the GLE 580 4MATIC, with the GLE 450e plug-in at $47,100. NHTSA lists 53 complaints and 5 recall campaigns, and KBB gives 248-510 hp and 17-23 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first facelifted V167, with a 450e plug-in at $47,100
Skip ifYou want fewer than 53 complaints
Why #4 over #5: It lists 53 complaints versus 56 for the 2018 and 5 recalls versus 7.
5
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE (W166)
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe W166 with a plug-in hybrid.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $15,150 for the GLE 350 (originally $62,645) up to $18,650 for the GLE 550e plug-in hybrid (originally $67,695)NHTSA recalls: 7 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2018 GLE (unique campaign numbers across its GLE 350, GLE 400, GLE 450, GLE 580 and related model names)NHTSA complaints: 56 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 GLE (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its 2016-2019 GLE pages, from 32 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 302-436 hp and 20-21 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2018 GLE is a W166 with a plug-in option: KBB prices run from $15,150 for the GLE 350 to $18,650 for the GLE 550e. NHTSA lists 56 complaints and 7 recall campaigns, and KBB gives 302-436 hp and 20-21 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a W166 GLE with a plug-in option from $15,150
Skip ifYou want fewer than 7 recall campaigns
Why #5 over #6: It lists 56 complaints versus 63 for the 2013, though the recall count for the 2013 could not be confirmed.
6
2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (W166)
Photo: order_242 from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheap W166 pick.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,700 for the ML 350 4MATIC (originally $52,835) up to $13,650 for the ML 63 AMG 4MATIC (originally $97,795)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2013 ML-Class, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 63 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 ML-Class (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its M-Class pages, from 68 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 240-518 hp and 15-23 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2013 ML-Class is a W166 from before the GLE rename, from $8,700 for the ML 350 4MATIC to $13,650 for the ML 63 AMG 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 63 complaints, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 240-518 hp and 15-23 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a cheap W166 and will check recalls by VIN
Skip ifYou want the GLE badge and updated styling
Why #6 over #7: It lists 63 complaints versus 66 for the 2012 and costs from $8,700 versus $7,750.
7
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (W166)
Photo: order_242 from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe lowest price on the list.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $7,750 for the ML 350 4MATIC (originally $49,865) up to $15,900 for the ML 63 AMG 4MATIC (originally $95,865)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2012 ML-Class, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 66 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 ML-Class (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its M-Class pages, from 68 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 240-518 hp and 15-22 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2012 ML-Class is the first W166 and the cheapest pick here: KBB prices run from $7,750 for the ML 350 4MATIC to $15,900 for the ML 63 AMG 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 66 complaints, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 240-518 hp and 15-22 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first W166 and the lowest price here, from $7,750
Skip ifYou want better than 22 combined mpg
Why #7 over #8: It lists 66 complaints, the same as the 2015, and starts at $7,750 versus $10,950.
8
2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (W166)
Photo: EurovisionNim / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe last ML, with a diesel.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $10,950 for the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC (originally $53,135) up to $18,500 for the ML 63 AMG 4MATIC (originally $100,115)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2015 ML-Class, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 66 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 ML-Class (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its M-Class pages, from 68 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 200-518 hp and 15-25 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2015 ML-Class is the last ML before the GLE name, from $10,950 for the ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC to $18,500 for the ML 63 AMG 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 66 complaints, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 200-518 hp and up to 25 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the last ML-Class, with up to 25 combined mpg
Skip ifYou want the 2016-and-later GLE name
Why #8 over #9: It lists 66 complaints versus 70 for the 2022.
9
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167)
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe V167 with the most recalls on this list.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $32,200 for the GLE 350 (originally $56,750) up to $46,500 for the GLE 580 4MATIC (originally $81,950)NHTSA recalls: 11 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2022 GLE (unique campaign numbers across its GLE 350, GLE 400, GLE 450, GLE 580 and related model names)NHTSA complaints: 70 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2022 GLE (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 3.9 out of 5 for reliability on its 2020-2025 GLE pages, from 52 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 255-483 hp and 18-23 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2022 GLE is a V167 from $32,200 for the GLE 350 to $46,500 for the GLE 580 4MATIC. NHTSA lists 70 complaints and 11 recall campaigns, the most recalls on the list, and KBB gives 255-483 hp and 18-23 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a V167 GLE from $32,200
Skip ifYou want fewer than 11 recall campaigns
Why #9 over #10: It lists 70 complaints versus 75 for the 2017, though the 2017 starts lower, at $14,900 versus $32,200.
10
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE (W166)
Photo: Charles from Port Chester, New York / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe W166 with the most complaints.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,900 for the GLE 300d 4MATIC (originally $65,095) up to $16,500 for the GLE 550e plug-in hybrid (originally $67,295)NHTSA recalls: 8 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2017 GLE (unique campaign numbers across its GLE 350, GLE 400, GLE 450, GLE 580 and related model names)NHTSA complaints: 75 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 GLE (unique ODI numbers)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its 2016-2019 GLE pages, from 32 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 201-436 hp and 20-24 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2017 GLE is a W166, from $14,900 for the GLE 300d 4MATIC to $16,500 for the GLE 550e plug-in hybrid. NHTSA lists 75 complaints, the most on the list, and 8 recall campaigns; KBB gives 201-436 hp and 20-24 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a W166 GLE from $14,900, including the diesel
Skip ifYou want few NHTSA complaints
How we ranked these
We ranked ten model years of the Mercedes-Benz mid-size SUV sold in the US: NHTSA owner complaint counts first, then recall campaigns, then Kelley Blue Book owner reliability ratings, with used prices from KBB. the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2012, 2013 and 2015 ML-Class, so those recall counts could not be confirmed; we ordered those years by complaints only and gave them no credit for an unknown recall count. The GLE is the renamed M-Class: the W163 first generation was body-on-frame and built until 2004, the W164 moved to a unibody platform, and the W166 third generation was facelifted and renamed GLE in 2015, so the 2016-2019 GLE is a W166 and the 2012-2015 ML-Class is the same generation under its old name. KBB calls the all-new 2020 GLE (V167) the 4th generation, and the 2024 model is its facelift. The V167 ranks best overall here, taking the top two spots with the 2025 and 2023; the W166 is the cheaper choice, and KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its W166 pages against 3.9 for the V167 (these KBB scores are shared across the model years on each KBB page). Complaint counts are unique ODI numbers and recall counts are unique campaign numbers across the model names NHTSA uses (ML-CLASS, GLE-CLASS, GLE 350, GLE 450 and related), read from the NHTSA API; we left out the other model years in the range. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so mileage matters as much as year. Prices change weekly, and the photos for the 2022 and 2023 picks show the same V167 generation before its facelift. For other models see our BMW X5 model years at /cars/best-bmw-x5-model-years-2027/ and our Top 10 Luxury SUVs at /cars/best-luxury-suvs-2027/. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What are the GLE generations?
The GLE is the renamed M-Class: the W163 first generation was body-on-frame and built until 2004, the W164 moved to a unibody platform, and the W166 third generation was facelifted and renamed GLE in 2015, so the 2016 GLE is a W166. KBB calls the all-new 2020 GLE (V167) the 4th generation.
Which GLE generation is best overall?
The V167 (2020 onward) ranks best overall here: the 2025 and 2023 take the top two spots with 31 and 33 NHTSA complaints. The W166 is the better value, with the 2019 at 34 complaints and from $19,200, and KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its W166 pages against 3.9 for the V167.
What is the best Mercedes-Benz GLE model year to buy used?
By NHTSA data, the 2025 GLE: 31 complaints and 2 recall campaigns, with KBB Fair Purchase Prices from $56,700 to $81,300. The 2019 is the best under $20,000, with 34 complaints, 4 recalls and a $19,200 price.
Which model year has the most recall campaigns?
The 2022 GLE, with 11 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA. The 2012, 2013 and 2015 ML-Class recall counts could not be confirmed, because the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for those years; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Lowest used price on the cited KBB page (USD) at a glance
2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (W166)$7,750
2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (W166)$8,700
2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class (W166)$10,950
2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE (W166)$14,900
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE (W166)$15,150
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE (W166)$19,200
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167)$32,200
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167)$35,600
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167 facelift)$45,100
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE (V167 facelift)$56,700
Lowest used price on the cited KBB page (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
