- Mercedes-Benz has updated the GLE with more than 3000 changes for the SUV and Coupe version.
- Petrol and diesel engines are more powerful and efficient and a 48-volt mild hybrid system is standard.
- The large GLS has come in for similar updates, with a focus on rear passenger comfort.
Mercedes-Benz has introduced comprehensive updates to its GLE and GLS SUV ranges, incorporating approximately 3000 new or revised components into the GLE model line alone.
Mercedes-Benz says the revisions focus on a transition to fully electrified powertrains, the introduction of a new proprietary operating system, and refined exterior and interior design elements.
The updated GLE is available in both a standard SUV body style and a Coupe variant, with the latter featuring a wheelbase 60 millimetres shorter and a more direct steering ratio to provide different handling characteristics.
Both models now feature a redesigned front section where the headlamps and radiator grille are visually connected by a black panel, while the lights incorporate a new "signature" consisting of two horizontally arranged star motifs.
Interior updates include the adoption of the MBUX Superscreen, which houses three 12.3-inch displays under a single glass surface spanning the dashboard, as a standard feature, while there is a new steering wheel design that features "rocker-and-roller" controls for tactile feedback.
The engine range for the GLE has been updated to include 48-volt mild-hybrid technology across all petrol and diesel variants. The GLE 580 4matic V8 model now produces 395kW and 750Nm, and now has a flatplane crankshaft instead of the previous crossplane crankshaft, which Mercedes says is "in preparation for future emission standards".
The inline six-cylinder GLE 450 4Matic sees a 12 percent increase in torque to 560Nm, while the diesel inline six 350d and 450d diesel models are now equipped with an electrically heated catalyst to reach operating temperature more efficiently.
The GLE 450e 4Matic plug-in hybrid now gets an extra 55kW of power, and offers a purely electric range of up to 106 kilometres under the WLTP cycle.
Performance-oriented Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 models have also been revised, featuring the 3.0-litre inline-six engine. This series is available with either 48-volt mild-hybrid technology or as a plug-in hybrid, and the GLE 53 Hybrid 4Matic+ produces a combined system output of 430kW and 750Nm, providing a 0 to100 km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds.
All new models utilize MB.OS (Mercedes-Benz Operating System), a central computer architecture that integrates vehicle functions and enables over-the-air updates to keep software current. This system supports an AI-driven MBUX Virtual Assistant capable of complex, multi-part dialogues. For interior air quality, the Energising Air Control system uses a multi-stage filtration process with an electric filter to purify cabin air approximately every 90 seconds.
Suspension technology has been enhanced through cloud-based damper regulation. Using Car-to-X communication, the vehicle receives data regarding road hazards, such as speed bumps, from other Mercedes-Benz vehicles. The car then adjust damping at each wheel shortly before reaching the obstacle to maintain body stability. E-Active Body Control, available as an option, analyses the driving situation 1000 times per second to counteract body roll, pitch, and lift.
The Mercedes-Benz GLS
Positioned as the flagship of the SUV lineup, the new GLS measures 5207mm in length with a 3135mm wheelbase. It is equipped with three rows of electrically adjustable seats as standard, providing space for up to seven passengers; the third row is designed to accommodate individuals up to 1.94 meters tall.
A design element traditionally reserved for the S-Class sedan has now moved across to its SUV equivalnt, and the GLS now features an upright Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet, while the exterior also features a larger radiator grille with a chrome frame and star-patterned headlamps and taillights.
The GLS shares the updated powertrain architecture found in the GLE, including the 395kW V8 in the GLS 580 4Matic and the 48-volt mild-hybrid integration, while the six-cylinder diesel GLS 350d and 450d models also get the GLE's electrically heated catalyst to improve emissions control.
The interior of the GLS focuses on rear-seat utility and luxury. The Rear Comfort Package Plus adds multi-contour seats with massage functions, removable MBUX remote controls for entertainment and climate adjustment, and wireless charging. A new vibration function in the seats enhances massage programs through four motors located in the seat cushion.
Passengers in the rear can also enjoy two 11.6-inch full HD displays for streaming and productivity. In the front, the passenger display can show dynamic content such as video streaming while the vehicle is in motion, using a camera-based system to dim the screen if it detects driver distraction.
