Mercedes-Benz has announced that the luxurious GLE class, the German automaker’s midsize SUV family, will receive a refresh for 2027.
According to Car and Driver, the GLE traces its heritage back to the original ML class, but according to Mercedes, the 2027 models feature more than 3,000 new or revised components compared to the outgoing version.
Like the GLS class, the GLE family offers a 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine producing 375 horsepower and a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 530 hp with a flat-plane crankshaft. It is worth emphasizing that the focus here is not performance, but compliance with future regulations and emissions standards.
However, the GLE can also be equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 hp or with a plug-in hybrid powertrain now based on a six-cylinder internal combustion engine, delivering 429 horsepower and 681 Nm of torque.
There is also an AMG version of the lineup, the Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Hybrid, which produces 577 horsepower. Both the GLE450 and the GLE53 are also available in the GLE Coupe variant.
Overall, every GLE comes with a large 1 m² panoramic roof, according to Mercedes, and it actually opens, with the front half sliding backward. All GLE models also feature all-wheel drive, with a two-speed transfer case that enables low-range off-road capability.
Only the GLE580, however, is available with the E-Active Body Control suspension, which scans the road 1,000 times per second and can bounce the body to help extract the vehicle from deep sand. Meanwhile, GLE models equipped with Airmatic gain a new predictive adaptation feature for rough roads: cloud-based intelligence provided by other Mercedes vehicles. This means that if you drive your Mercedes over a pothole, it can warn another vehicle 3 km behind to prepare its dampers when it gets there.
They also feature a system called Magic Vision Control, which is essentially a deep-cleaning program for the windshield that keeps the wipers in contact with the glass while spraying washer fluid to remove stubborn dirt. This is the first time the system is available on the GLE.
On the technology side, the GLE also includes Mercedes’ AI-based virtual assistant MBUX. It will be integrated into the MBUX Superscreen, which consists of three 12.3-inch displays behind a single glass panel.
That said, considering this is such a broad family of luxury vehicles, anyone looking to buy a GLE will certainly need to do some research to determine the best option. At the end of the day, there is no wrong choice. Want to learn more about the specifics of each model in the GLE family? You’ll have to wait until June, when Mercedes will release additional details about the vehicles.
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Photos: Mercedes-Benz. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
