Revamped Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS SUVs bring more power, new styling and AI-enhanced features

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Mercedes-Benz has announced a sweep of model year changes for its GLE large premium SUV, headlined by more power, improved standard equipment, and revised styling both inside and out. 

The most prominent change for the big Benz is a range of engine performance upgrades. Entry-level diesels gain internal efficiency tweaks, the six-cylinder GLE 450 petrol gains a 12-percent boost in torque (now outputting 280kW/560Nm), and the range-topping V8-powered GLE 580 now delivers 395kW/750Nm (was 380kW/730Nm).

The plug-in hybrid GLE 450e has also been upgraded, with combined output upped by 55kW to total 340KW/650Nm. It promises 400V electronic architecture and an EV driving range of 106km (WLTP) – European specifications shown.

Both the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 and GLE 53 PHEV also benefit from more power, now with peak combined outputs of 330kW/640Nm (600Nm without ten-second MHEV overboost feature) and 430kW/750Nm respectively. 

The AMG PHEV can charge from 10-80 percent in around 20 minutes, peaking at 60kW DC, to total around 90km of EV driving range (WLTP).

All variants continue to feature ‘4MATIC’ all-wheel drive, while combustion models also gain a 48-volt starter generator mild hybrid system, capable of regenerative braking, spurts of engine-off ‘coasting’ on motorways, and stop-start functionality to improve engine efficiency. 

New interior and exterior styling tweaks will also debut on the MY26 GLE in both SUV and Coupe body shape. A facelifted front end will exhibit a new grille design, tweaked wing mirrors and side air intakes, and reshaped Micro-LED headlights, which now feature internal Mercedes-Benz ‘star’ motifs, and claim to produce a 40-percent larger ‘light field’.

GLE’s rear lights also gain the ‘star’ treatment, with each taillight cluster featuring two three-dimensional star emblems. 

Inside, the standard-equipment front comfort seats have been redesigned, and gain further electronic adjustment functionality. Three 12.3-inch ‘MBUX screens’ now adorn the dashboard as standard — one passenger screen, one central infotainment unit, and one digital driver cluster. 

Mercedes claims its new generation of ‘MBUX’ driver assistance technology will integrate “the best of the latest [AI] technology” from Microsoft, Google and ChatGPT, in an effort to deliver “an even more intelligent and personalised digital companion” for the driver.

Further on the tech front is an optional augmented reality HUD with real time alerts, while the once optional large panoramic sunroof becomes standard across the MY26 range. 

Finally on the prominent change list for the new GLE is new, predictive AIRMATIC air suspension. The new system uses cloud-stored road surface information (collected by fellow Mercedes-Benz drivers) to anticipate the level of suspension damping for upcoming bumps. 

Moving up a size segment, the premium GLS upper-large SUV will also benefit from the majority of the above changes, including increased performance for V8 and diesel engines, large, AI-backed triple infotainment screens, new exterior styling, and cloud data driven air suspension. 

It is not yet clear for either model if Australian pricing will be affected for MY26 vehicles. Local launch timing, powertrain availability and rollout, and localised specifications are yet to be confirmed by Mercedes-Benz Australia.