Check out the new Mercedes-Benz GLE, AMG GLE and GLE Coupe

Mercedes-Benz revealed the trio of midsize SUVs, saying the GLE is picking up around 3,000 new or revised components.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE front and side — *Mercedes-Benz updated the GLE midsize SUV. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz GLE is packing more technology, more power and more refinement.

The automaker revealed the new midsize SUV on March 31, saying the next-gen model is receiving around 3,000 new or revised components. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz also revealed an updated GLE Coupe and the sportiest version of the midsizer, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 and GLE 53 Hybrid.

We’ll explore each of the trio one by one below.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

Let’s start by looking at the standard model, which forms the basis for the others.

The exterior design of the GLE has been revised. It picks up star emblems within the headlamps for a new visual signature.

It also has an illuminated central star and grille contour.

The automaker said the Digital Light technology produces a light field that’s about 40 per cent larger than before, while the lights consume up to 50 per cent less energy.

A panoramic sliding roof measures more than a square metre.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE side and rear — *The updated Mercedes-Benz GLE has a cloud-based air suspension. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Improved ride comfort

Mercedes went to great lengths to improve the ride comfort.

An E-Active Body Control system regulates each wheel to stabilize the body in almost every situation, the automaker said.

This system features five multi-core processors and more than 20 sensors and the control units analyze the driving situation 1,000 times per second to adapt the Airmatic air suspension.

The E-Active Body Control system runs on 48 volts, which can recuperate energy when you drive on uneven roads.

The suspension also utilizes Car-to-X, which collects data from other Mercedes vehicles in front of you to adjust the damping as you approach uneven roads.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE dashboard — *The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE has new colour and material options. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Driver assist features

The next-gen GLE uses a water-cooled processor, which the company said has enough power for future driving assistance functions.

It also uses 10 exterior cameras and up to five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors, which work with the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). AI processes the data to provide assistance.

Available features include MB.Drive Standard, MB.Drive Assist and MB.Drive Assist Plus, which offer different levels of driving assistance.

Launching in China and coming to other markets as regulations allow, the GLE will also have MB.Drive Assist Pro, which allows for point-to-point driving. Just tell the system where you want it to take you, and let the car be your chauffeur.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE rear seats — *The updated Mercedes-Benz GLE is shown here with Nappa yacht blue upholstery. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Interior

Mercedes-Benz fitted the GLE with new trim elements, comfort features, and a variety of upholstery and colour options, such as Beech Brown joining the already available Black, Macchiato Beige, and Bahía Brown colours. Beech Brown is available with Artico and Lugano leather upholstery options. The AMG Line models get a new Nappa/leather option and a new two-tone classic red/black colour.

An MBUX Superscreen takes over the dashboard.

The screen is comprised of three 12.3-inch displays and it runs on the automaker’s MB.OS, which provides occupants with an AI assistant powered by technologies from Microsoft, Google and ChatGPT. Mercedes-Benz said the virtual assistant can take part in complex, multi-part conversations.

The system’s navigation system runs Google Maps, and the MBUX Augmented Reality features offers a graphic overlay providing traffic information onto live images, which is intended to help drivers in situations such as taking complex turning situations. Consider a common irritant, a highway off-ramp with two or three possible “slight rights,” which this system can show you with a live image which slight right to take.

The GLE has a cargo area with 630 litres of space behind the rear seats, which can be increased to 825 litres with the seats moved forward. Fold those seats flat and you open up an area of 2,055 litres.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE cargo area — *The updated Mercedes-Benz GLE has generous cargo space. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Powertrains

Mercedes will offer the GLE with five powertrain options, two gasoline-powered models, two diesel-powered models and a plug-in hybrid.

We likely won’t see the diesel models in Canada, but Canadian market details haven’t been provided yet.

We’re more likely to see the following:

GLE 450 4MATIC – This model is powered by 3-litre inline six-cylinder engine 375 hp and 413 lb.-ft. of torque plus an electric motor with 22 hp and 151 lb.-ft. of torque.
GLE 580 – The top-of-the-line model gets a 4-litre V8 engine with 529 hp and 553 lb.-ft. of torque, plus the same electric motor with 22 hp and 151 lb.-ft. of torque.
GLE 450e – The plug-in hybrid features a 3-litre inline six-cylinder engine with 322 hp and 398 lb.-ft. of torque plus an electric motor with 181 hp and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. Based on the WLTP test cycle observed in Europe, this model has an estimated all-electric driving range of 106 kilometres. When the SUV arrives in Canada, look for this figure to be reported lower as NRCan testing standards are more stringent.

Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe

Mercedes also updated the GLE Coupe, which is based on the GLE but offers a sportier-looking SUV with a sloping roofline.

It picks up many of the same changes as the standard GLE, including new headlights with star emblems, larger grille, MBUX Virtual Assistant, MBUX Superscreen, Digital Light, cloud-based E-Active Body Control with Airmatic air suspension and so on.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe cargo area — *The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe gives up cargo space for a sportier ride. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Appearance

The GLE Coupe is 60 millimetres shorter than the GLE, and has elongated proportions and flush-fitting wheels.

Its rear design, with its sloping roofline, is intended to give the model a more muscular look.

The AMG Line exterior, AMG Line interior and AMG Line seats are now standard features on the vehicle.

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe front seats — *The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe comes standard with AMG Line exterior, AMG Line interior and AMG Line packages. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

More agility

Mercedes-Benz said the GLE Coupe has higher driving agility than its GLE sibling. The steering ratio is more direct and the coupe-like SUV has increased lateral agility.

The E-Active Body Control adjusts spring and damper forces at each wheel to ensure the vehicle remains stable, even when cornering at speed or on uneven roads.

The powertrain choices are the same on the GLE Coupe as on the GLE.

Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

The last of the GLE trio are the SUV’s AMG variants. There are two. There’s the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ and GLE 53 Hybrid 4MATIC+.

Both are powered by six-cylinder engines and both are electrified, though the Hybrid model has more electrical power.

The GLE 53 is powered by a turbocharged 3-litre inline-six with 442 hp mated with a 23-hp electric motor. The system has 442 lb.-ft. of torque, which can increase to 472 lb.-ft. for a duration of 10 seconds thanks to an overboost from the mild hybrid support.

The GLE 53 can reportedly sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

The GLE 53 Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid with the same six-cylinder engine as the model above, plus a 400-volt electric motor with 181 hp and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. All told, the system produces 577 hp.

This model can sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than its predecessor.

The plug-in hybrid model can be driven in electric mode at speed up to 140 km/h. If the driver hits the accelerator, such as to pass traffic, the system will kick in the engine for increased power.

2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 grille — *The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Hybrid packs 577 hp. – Mercedes-Benz photo*

Ride dynamics

Mercedes fitted the AMG models with the AMG Ride Control+ air suspension, which the automaker said offers a balance between exceptional ride comfort and sporty dynamics. The system adapts to the driving situation and the drive mode selected.

There is also an optional AMG Active Ride Control suspension available on the GLE 53. It provides active roll stabilization.

Drivers can select from driving programs including Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Trail and Individual, the last of which allows drivers to customize their driving settings, including powertrain and transmission response, steering characteristics, suspension damping and sound.