The Mercedes-Benz GLE class of mid-size SUVs is considered by some to be an entry-level M-B or an entry-luxury SUV. But there’s nothing entry level about it, from its attributes to its price. All-new for 2020, the GLE-Class is in its second generation as a GLE, but it is starting its 4th-Gen as a vehicle, when including its life in the M-Class, that was its predecessor in the Mercedes-Benz Line-up. The GLE-Class designation has been used since 2015, when the M-Class was face-lifted and renamed.

For 2020, the GLE, with set-ups as a 350 or 450, depending on engine size, has been fully redesigned, and in 350, can be purchased in rear-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive. The 450 4MATICS are all-wheel drive. This new generation of the Mercedes-Benz GLE has been tweaked with high-tech innovations including an intelligent suspension that makes the SUV more comfortable on the road while improving handling, an intuitive connectivity system with crystal-clear graphics, and an extensive list of advanced safety features

Available with a string of options that escalate the vehicle price quickly, the basic Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4MATIC I tested was luxuriously loaded like no entry level vehicle. Key standard features include such exterior enhancements as a power liftgate, hands-free access, SmartKey with Keyless-Start, Remote Start via “Mercedes me” Mobile App, Keyless-Go and LED headlamps and taillamps. Standard interior accouterments include power front seats with driver-seat memory, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, power tilt/sliding sunroof, double sun visors, steering-wheel Touch Control buttons, power tilt/telescoping steering column, power-folding side mirrors, retractable luggage cover, touchpad controller, 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display, MB Navigation, Voice Control with Natural Language Understanding, hands-free Bluetooth interface, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, rearview camera and such safety items as nine air bags and Active Parking Assist.

The GLE350 takes on a new look in 2020 with a 3.2-inch longer wheelbase with shorter overhangs at the front and rear. Aerodynamically designed, GLE shows off a bold stance, front hood character lines, distinctive grille, sculpted sides and rear, and curves all around. On a wheelbase of 117.9 inches, the GLE 350 is 194.3 inches long, 76.7 inches wide and 70.7 inches high, with a curbweight of 4696 lbs.

The GLE 350 cabin is an environment of pampering, intuitiveness, tech and comfort. The panoramic sunroof has been made 50-percent larger, sightlines are good, and during all of my tests, the driver-passenger’s home was quiet. Tech abounds and fit and finish are certainly above entry-luxury status. Leather seats are padded well, and in an “Alexa” or “Siri” environment, if you say, “Hey, Mercedes,” the system will respond to you and ask how she can help.

Inside, you get small SUV accommodations of 40.5 inches of front row headroom with 39.6 inches in row two; legroom is 40.3 inches up front and 40.9 in the second row; and shoulder room goes a widebody 59.3 in the first row and 58.3 for the rear seats.

The GLE 350 offerings employ a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo that puts out 255hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and the powerful 450 4MATIC uses a 3.0-liter inline-6 turbo with EQ Boost to provide 362hp and 369 lb-ft. The EQ Boost can add up to 21hp to the 450 4MATIC. The smaller engine in 4MATIC is EPA rated at 19 / 26 / 22, and my week of testing came in at an average of 20.6mpg.

On the road and at the track, the 2.0-liter performed well, with enough power to pass at speed. I would have like to have tried the 3.0-liter turbo, but my 2-liter accelerated with energy. Mercedes claims a 7.1-second zero-to-60mph sprint, but my test vehicle beat that with a 6.9-second dash, en route to a 15.4-second quarter-mile.

Performing in quick turns and gentle glides, GLE 350’s speed-dependent, electro-mechanical rack-and-pinion steering is vague at times, but is predictable enough for the niche. The all-new E-Active Body Control intelligent electric suspension has a double wishbone front suspension with coil springs, single tube gas-pressure and tubular torsion bar that works well with the independent, multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, double-tube gas-pressure and tubular torsion bar to level out most road irregularities and provide a smooth, but not luxury ride, and the GLE stays stable and flat while cornering. M-B’s Active Body Control virtually eliminates body roll, stabilizing the chassis in a way that exceeds conventional suspension systems.

Mercedes-Benz pays attention to safety with a long list of safety features including stop-and-go assist, steering assist, blind spot warnings, active braking assist and lane change assist, as well as a full complement of airbags, braking and lane-keeping technology.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 starts at $54,250; the 350 4MATIC bases at $56,750 and the GLE450 4MATIC starts at $61,750. My test 350 4MATIC upgraded with Brilliant Blue Metallic exterior paint for $720; a Panorama roof added $1000; a roof spoiler was $600; a rear load sill guard was $150. Inside, a heated steering wheel added $250; 4-zone climate control was $760; MBUX Augmented Video for Navigation added $300 and front passenger seat memory added $350. That put the sticker at $60,730.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

When 100 years of automotive production mixes with a passionate group of would be buyers, the results translate to a super successful auction for Carlisle Auctions.  Presenting its first event of the 2020 season, Carlisle Auctions called Lakeland, Florida and Winter AutoFest home for two days, moving 400+ consignments in front of a packed hanger on the spacious SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus.

Frequently, an auction is highlighted by a car or cars with a great supporting cast helping draw bidders.  For this auction, there were more than a few that helped draw an impressive bidder turnout for the Winter AutoFest auction.  Those cars, a 2005 Ford GT, a 1978 Corvette, 80s’ era trucks, some daily drivers and a bunch more current and future classics teamed with more than 40 Corvettes to draw nearly $4 million in total sales.

The best-ever Winter AutoFest auction saw a 2005 Ford GT come in as the top seller.  This gem garnered $256,800, while a ’67 Corvette, ’73 Pantera DeTomaso, ’57 Chevy Belair and ’33 Ford Woody Wagon rounded out the top five.  The Corvette sold for $175,000, the Pantera went for $105,000, the Bel Air sold for $77,575 and the Woody moved for $68,250.  In total, the top five tallied $682,625.  All dollars mentioned include applicable fees. 

In addition to the aforementioned heavy hitters, there were 19 Corvettes that went home with new owners.  This made the all-Corvette hour an all-around hit with bidders and consignors alike, while also complimenting the Corvette Fun Field that sat just yards away as part of Winter AutoFest.  Between the 40+ auction Corvettes and the more than 250 on display, Corvette lovers had something to talk about all day, every day.

“We’ve been coming to Lakeland and hosting an auction here since 2015,” noted Director of Auction Operations Tony Cline.  “By far, this was our best-ever Lakeland auction.  From the quality and variety of consignments to the energetic bidder turnout, we are very pleased with how this auction turned out,” continued Cline.  “Not only are we looking forward to returning to Lakeland in 2021, but we’re excited to return to Sarasota, Florida on November 13-14 for our Sunset-Carlisle collector car auctionz.”

Complete results for the 2020 Winter AutoFest auction are available online now as are select “still for sale” consignments that did not sell in Lakeland.  Further, www.CarlisleAuctions.com also hosts details about the four remaining auctions on the Carlisle Auctions schedule.  The next auction is scheduled for April 23-24 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania as part of Spring Carlisle.  Call 717-960-6400 or visit Carlisle Auctions on the web today to learn more.

In 2005, Kia’s Irvine, California-based design team designed a 5-seat hatchback aimed at hip urban youths. They came up with a vehicle that was considered an economy runabout sport wagon, when it was launched, four years later. Since entering the “hip hatchback” marketplace in 2009, the Kia Soul has resonated with consumers and has earned a solid following in the compact multi-purpose vehicle segment, and along the way it has grown in size, power, sophistication and functionality, while retaining its hipness.

The third-generation 2020 Kia Soul is fully redesigned, with a revamped exterior, a more powerful powertrain and an upgraded cabin. While retaining some of Soul’s heritage boxiness and confident stance, the exterior is punctuated with innovative line sculpture, precise details and technical lighting elements to appeal to its main youthful and trend-setting audience. New exterior design highlights include high-tech front headlight configuration with connecting trim piece; slim-design daytime running lights and turn signal indicators; a larger front grille with unique two-tone treatment; three-dimensional wraparound boomerang-shaped taillights; C-pillars designed to resemble airplane wings and distinctive C-pillar garnish that features a new “Soul” graphic.

Cabin improvements include available sound mood lighting that emits soft light from the center door panels, and an exclusive 3D pattern surface on the upper door panels, with the ability to synchronize to the beat of the music playing through the Soul’s audio system. Sound mood lighting features a rainbow of customizable colors.

And Soul power has been upgraded for 2020 to include a 201-hp 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged I-4 GDI engine.

My test 2020 Soul in GT-Line Turbo trim came loaded with such exterior enhancements as 18-inch alloy wheels, 235/45 R18 tires, Chrome-tipped center exhaust, GT-Line exterior appearance, high gloss black outside power-adjustable mirrors, LED front fog lights and headlights, LED rear tail lights and center high mounted stop light, mirror-mounted LED turn-signal indicators, and a power sunroof with manual sunshade. Also packed inside, the Soul GT-Line cabin included a Harman Kardon® Audio System with center speaker, subwoofer and external amplifier; Head-Up Display; heated D-shaped leather steering wheel; LED interior lighting; Satin Chrome interior door handles; power windows with driver one-touch auto-Up/Down; smart cruise control and speaker lights with multiple ambience themes. Standard safety upgrades in the GT-Line trim included Forward Collision Avoidance-Assist with Pedestrian Detection and High Line Tire-Pressure Monitoring System.

The redesign has grown Soul to a 102.4-inch wheelbase, a gain of 1.2 inches. Its length is now 165.2 inches long, up 2.2 inches, whiles its width and height remain the same as the previous generation, at 70.9 inches wide and 63.0 inches high. Ground clearance is up 0.8 inches at 6.7 inches, and curbweight is now over 3000 lbs., a significant gain of more than 200 pounds since I last drove a Soul -- model year 2014.

Inside, while I found Soul’s cabin noisy at high speed from wind and tire clatter, the compartment is still hip, intuitive and high-tech, though the all-new Soul has lost some headroom, at 39.4 inches up front – a loss of 0.2 inches – with the same second row headroom – 39.5 inches – as last year. Legroom gains 0.2 inches in row one, at 41.1 inches, while row two loses 0.3 inches of legroom to 38.8 inches. Shoulder room remains unchanged at 55.5 inches in front and 54.7 inches in the rear. Cargo capacity gains 5 cubic feet, to 23.8 cu.ft.

Powerwise, Soul offers two engine choices– one naturally-aspirated and one turbo. The 2.0-liter Nu four-cylinder engine mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission or Intelligent Variable Transmission delivers 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque … a gain of 9 horses over the last Soul I-4 I drove in 2013. But the more fun drive comes with the 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged I-4 GDI engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, This system puts out 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Economically, the 2.0 automatic is rated at 27mpg/city, 33mpg/highway and 30mpg/combined; and the 1.6 turbo is rated at 27/city, 32/highway and 29/overall. My week-long test garnered a 28.8mpg average.

Fun to drive, Soul’s turbo engages and is gentle on cruises, and while the independent front suspension with MacPherson strut and Retainer-type sandwich valves working with a coupled torsion beam axle rear doesn’t provide a luxury ride, it does maneuver deftly and predictably. Fun at the track as well, Soul exhibited good passing speed and finished off a zero-to-60mph run in 6.5 seconds during at 14.9-second (hand-timed) quarter-mile.

Kia Soul is packaged and priced for many tastes and economic ranges, starting with the Base LX trim at $17,490. Its other trims start at $20,290 for the S; $20,290 for the GT-Line; $21,490 for the X-Line; $22,690 for the EX-Line and $27,490 for my test GT-Line Turbo that was dressed in Inferno Red exterior paint matched to a Black Leatherette and cloth interior. The standard Soul GT-Line Turbo trim is loaded, so we only added a special Turbo bumper appliqué for $75; sport pedals for $100; GT-Line mud guards for $115; and carpet floor mats for $135. After adding $1120 for destination charges, my 2020 Kia Soul GT-Line Turbo stickered at $29,035.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Death, taxes and car show excitement at Carlisle...three things that are a given in life.  There’s a fourth, more so for car lovers, and that’s the opportunity to finally shake off the cabin fever from the long (and so far wet) winter and enjoy Spring Carlisle.  With your tax refund in hand, you can spend, spend, spend as part of the massive Spring event running April 22-26 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  Spanning five days, Spring Carlisle welcomes over 100,000 automotive enthusiasts converging on the facility, all looking to buy, sell and trade all things automotive.  Well…maybe not all, because some legitimately come to Carlisle to simply enjoy the camaraderie of Spring, making new friends and connecting with old ones.  In the end though, you never know what you’ll find at Carlisle.  Hidden gems include items for the shop, the man cave or even the she shed. Expect the unexpected in Carlisle as you browse the 82-acre facility enjoying the thrill of the hunt.

As shopping goes there are plenty of options at Spring Carlisle.  The 8,100 vending spaces are filled with millions of automotive pieces and parts with buyers and sellers alike coming from around the world to shop and sell at Carlisle. By visiting the thousands of vendors who set up at Carlisle, attendees find things that they didn’t even know they needed, all at bargain pricing. In addition to the parts, collectibles and memorabilia, there are cars for sale within the car corral, meaning buyer and seller can work face to face, most times consummating the sale very quickly.  The automotive history available to be had spans nearly one century of production and ranges from must-have classics to unique and daily drivers.

The car corral isn’t the only way to pick up a car at Spring Carlisle as Carlisle Auctions offers a two-day classic and collector car auction on Thursday and Friday of event weekend.  The fun starts at 12 p.m. each day some 250 cars will cross the block per day.  Much like the car corral, auction cars and trucks will span automotive history. Consignments that are 25 years and older are taken via the Carlisle Auctions’ FREE UNLESS SOLD guarantee.  By welcoming cars of this era into the auction, the variety of available lots is nearly limitless.  The best thing about the live auction excitement provided by Carlisle Auctions is that not only is it a great spectator opportunity, but cars are priced to move. Select consignments will sell for low four figures with others touching the six-figure price range.  Online bidding is also an option with Carlisle Auctions.

There truly is something for everyone at Carlisle because cars aren’t the only form of entertainment. Cruise to Spring Carlisle and meet Lou Santiago from TV’s Car Fix. Lou and his wealth of automotive knowledge will be at the event throughout the weekend.  While at Carlisle, he’ll be meeting guests, signing autographs and posing for photos, while also walking the swap meet and enjoying the event just like the rest of the international audience.

Complete details about Spring Carlisle, the auction, guest appearance by Lou Santiago and more can be found online at www.CarlisleEvents.com.  Also, while online be sure to pick up advanced spectator tickets for the show at a discounted price.  Call 717-243-7855 for details or visit www.CarlisleEvents.com or www.CarlisleAuctions.com to learn more.

Toyota’s mid-size SUV, Highlander, has been redesigned from the ground up for 2020, as a fourth-generation sports-ute that brings new, bold styling, augmented safety and comfort, and a continued focus on durability and reliability, while adding a hybrid version to its gas-model line-up. 

Highlander debuted in late 2000 as an innovative mid-size crossover that steered away from the prevailing truck-based SUVs of the time, with a more customer-friendly unibody structure and four-wheel independent suspension. Gaining in size over three generations, and adding a third row, Highlander has sold more vehicles than any other mid-size SUV since 2016, and was the second top-seller in the segment last year.

Among the changes for 2020 are a bigger overall structure and larger dimensions, a bold, sculptured new exterior design and a new vehicle platform called Toyota New Global Architecture, that has been created to enhance driving refinement, comfort and safety. Other new innovations include standard Android Auto, Apple CarPlay®, SiriusXM®, Waze and Amazon Alexa Compatibility and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. The cabin is available with 7- or 8-passenger seating; there is increased cargo room behind the third row, an increased number of optional safety systems, and a choice of a gas-powered V-6 or a new-generation hybrid powertrain.

The 2020 Highlander begins with a powerful stance, chiseled lines and sophisticated detailing with a modern personality. Setting off the new design, the L, LE and XLE grades feature a black front grille with silver trim, while the Limited and Platinum grades are distinguished by a black grille with chrome trim and chrome-plated lower rear fascia, premium projector headlamps and Highlander’s first-ever 20-inch alloy wheels. The new Highlander gains in stature, and now measures 194.9 inches long (a gain of 2.4 inches), 76.0 inches wide (up 0.2 inches) and the same 68.1 inches high on a 2.4-inches longer 112.2-inch wheelbase, to provide 8.0 inches of ground clearance. Highlander weighs as much as 4515 lbs, but my test XLE trim came in at just over 4200 lbs.

The cabin is plush and premium-feeling. Details include softer padded surfaces and a more tailored look with stitching that continues from the door trim to the instrument panel. The 2020 Highlander cabin offers improved functionality throughout, from a center console that offers available Qi wireless charging to plenty of storage spaces and USB charging ports. Sound-damping and soundproofing materials have been optimized throughout the vehicle, for a very quiet ride for the niche. And my test XLE trim added heated front seats, a wireless smartphone-charging pad, and a power sunroof, among other interior amenities.

Somehow, the increased exterior dimensions yielded lost interior space for driver and passengers. The well-crafted and quiet cabin seats seven or eight, depending on configuration and now provides a tight 38.4 inches of front headroom (a loss of 1.1 inches), 39.4 in row two (down 0.2 inches) and 36.1 inches in row three (a gain of 0.2); leg room is 40.4 inches up front (a loss of 3.8 inches), a gain of 2.6 in row two to 41.0 inches, and the same child-worthy 27.7 inches in row three; with shoulder room of 59.0 58.7 and 55.0 (down slightly from last-gen). The lost space seems to translate to increased cargo space behind row three, to 16 cubic-feet, a gain of 2.2 cubic-feet over last year.

Available in 4-cylinder and V-6 powertrain configurations, the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine  is coupled with a 6-speed Electronically Controlled automatic transmission with FWD, and with intelligence (ECT-i), sequential shift mode and snow mode. The system is good for 186hp and 175 lbs.-ft. of torque for an EPA estimate of 20mpg/city, 24mpg/highway and 22/combined.

The 3.5-liter V-6 engine that powered my test vehicle, delivers 295hp and 263 lbs.-ft- of torque, mated with a Direct Shift – 8AT, 8-speed Electronically Controlled automatic transmission with intelligence in either FWD or AWD, for an EPA fuel rating of 21mpg/city, 29mpg/highway and 24mpg/combined for AWD. My week of tests yielded an average of 24.7mpg in mixed-use tests. 

Acceleration and performance were sneaky-fast, or faster than expected, with good response from a stop and in passing. Track tests showed a 7.2-second hand-timed zero-to-60mph sprint and a 15.5-second quarter-mile.

Available in LE, XLE, Limited and Platinum trims, as well as Hybrid trims, the gas-version Highlander starts at $34,600 for the base L and tops out with the Limited Platinum starting at $46,850. The Hybrids add about $3000 per trim. My test XLE based at a $39,600 starting price that included the 3.5-liter engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, FWD, Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.0 package, Qi-Compatible Wireless Charging, Moonroof, Heated Front Seats, Seating for eight, LED headlights and Daytime Running Lights, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible. In Blueprint exterior paint matched to a Black Softex interior, we upgraded to AWD for an additional $1600; and we added Premium Audio (six speaker and 8.1-inch touch-screen) with Dynamic Navigation for $1040. All-weather floor liners were $218; Body side moldings were $209; Door edge guards added $125; Chrome high Performance LED Fog Lights added $139; Rear bumper protector added $135; and delivery, processing and handling fees added $1120 for a sticker-as-tested of $44,186.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>