Words: Andrew Sluys
Published 1 April 2026
Mercedes-Benz has taken the covers off the updated GLE SUV in both wagon and coupe forms.
Revealed for the 2027 model year, this SUV has undergone a significant update, more than a mid-cycle facelift.
On the design front, there’s new headlights and a new chrome grille with an illuminated star in the centre.
There’s also new taillights, exterior mirrors, and four new 20-inch wheel options, plus two other AMG-specific ones.
Beneath this new exterior, the powertrains have also been updated, with the four-cylinder GLE 300d dropped from the line-up.
This will likely be replaced in New Zealand with the new GLE 350d, which uses the same six-cylinder turbo diesel engine as the GLE 450d.
A new integrated starter generator on these models is set to improve fuel efficiency, and smooth out the start/stop system.
On the inside, the SUV has undergone a pretty significant update, with a new dash featuring a pillar-to-pillar display.
This MBUX Superscreen is standard across the range, and comprises of three separate 12.3-inch displays.
There’s also a new 18-inch MBUX Augmented Reality Head-up Display.
The other big news is in the driver assistance category, with the GLE making use of a new water-cooled processor to drive everything.
The GLE has ten exterior cameras, five radars, and 12 ultrasonic sensors that contribute to these high-end assistance systems.
It also makes use of artificial intelligence to assist the driver in sticky situations.
Mercedes-Benz New Zealand is yet to release any information regarding the arrival of this new GLE, but it will likely be near the end of the year.
