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Luxury is not strictly defined by velvet ropes, white gloves and serving trays made from precious metals. Having options, access to open space, and time to enjoy both is luxury at its core. Its why freedom is considered a luxury, whether it's a true democracy to having a day off to indulge in the art of nothing with no guilt or shame.

What makes the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic the complete package of a luxury SUV is its space, options, and performance-backed freedom to go -- or not go – anywhere, anytime.

This 2024 model year wears a mid-cycle facelift with new exterior colors such as the non-metallic Alpine Grey model tested. The SUV's exterior is further enhanced by the available AMG Line Exterior Night package, adding gloss black accents, a sports exhaust system and a 20-inch set of AMG twin five-spoke wheels wrapped in all-season Michelin rubber.

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In today's growing surplus of SUVs, it's a challenge to design something that stands out in a crowded parking lot. The GLE 450's deep set profile, chiseled wheel arches, and slicked-back roofline give it a dapper look that steadily wins you over the more you look at it.

Engine: 3.0-liter Turbocharged Straight Six

Transmission: 9-speed

0 to 60: 5.5 seconds

Starting Price: $66,450

Price as Shown: $79,555

In addition to good looks, the GLE 450 carries a host of new interior features such as touch-sensitive steering wheel controls and two 12.3-inch digital screens integrated into the dashboard instead of merely tacked on like a checkout iPad on a food truck. I like that the GLE4 50 allows you to use the touchpad on the center console, the touch controls on the wheel, voice commands, or the digital dash like a touchscreen to navigate the MBUX system controls. They kept the climate controls as easy-access toggle switches.

This digital screen layout may seem daunting at first, but once you get a basic understanding of navigating the various settings, you'll find it no more complex than getting used to the new software update on your smartphone.

The interior of the GLE 450 shown came dressed in Espresso Brown/Black leather interior with old-school-cool natural grain brown walnut wood trim. Power seats in the second-row fold forward at the touch of a button to make room for third row access. The optional third row does take up a significant amount of trunk space, but the seats will fold flat to mitigate the situation.

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Under the hood, the GLE 450 4matic features a 3.0 liter turbocharged straight-six engine producing 362 horsepower and 396 pound-feet of torque through a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The entire GLE lineup is now electrified for 2024, meaning that each engine variant comes standard with a 48-volt mild hybrid system to help improve fuel economy and performance in addition to the 450's standard 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

The result of all this mechanical jargon is a luxurious SUV capable of hauling up to seven passengers from zero to 60 in less than 6 seconds while averaging over 20 MPG.

On the road, the GLE 450 delivers what its marketing promises. An exceedingly quiet cabin with an engine that meows like a cheetah and sprints like one too. Its all-wheel drive adds a layer of confidence during less-than-ideal weather. The adjustable interior ambient lighting also provokes a tranquil driving environment at night. One feature I enjoyed is the Ultra-Wide high beam LEDs which illuminate like a fan of light instead of simply flicking on and off. That attention to detail and presentation makes a Mercedes-Benz a trademark for luxury.

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