Test drive: Mercedes looking to plug gap with hybrid SUV

The plug-in hybrid Mercedes GLE 350 combines the size and power of an SUV with fewer emissions

The Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 de is powered by a combination of a 2.0 litre turbodiesel engine and an electric motor

There’s a case to be made that big SUVs have no place in city or town centres, but for now at least it’s good to see that there’s a noticeable shift away from purely diesel power for these vehicles.

More plug-in hybrid versions are being developed and will potentially serve as stepping stones to a fully electric future. It will be some time yet before these are widely available, so what are the options if ...