The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV: A Dash of Maybach, a Pinch of EQ and a Ton of Capability
With more power, tech, and styling, we’re excited to explore the new engines and the overall facelift of the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV.
Thirty years ago when Mercedes-Benz built the first-ever luxury SUV, the naysayers were loud with their opinions: It’ll never work, they said. An SUV can’t be luxury. No one wants this.
Fast forward to March, 2026 and the 5,000,000th GLE just rolled off the assembly line at the company’s plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Seems those “experts” were wrong.
And, it’s clear, Mercedes-Benz knows what it’s doing. While the brand’s SUVs have come a long way, the next generation is marked by a retooling of the look with more Maybach details and more electrified function from the brand’s EQ line of EVs, starting with the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I was a guest of Mercedes-Benz for this first look experience.
Posh Details Define the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE
We were on hand as Mercedes-Benz pulled the silk from the 2027 GLE SUV and got a close look at its new details. It starts with a new grille flecked with Tri-Star logo icons that we first saw on the ultra-luxe Maybach. Surrounded by a chrome frame, it also has an optional illuminated central Mercedes-Benz star that anchors the grille; buyers can further set this off with available contour lighting.
Keeping with the star motif, the new headlights—which consume up to 50 percent less energy than their previous model—are a subtle nod to the logo. Mercedes is also offering an optional new digital light technology that is brighter and features a partial high-beam function and road projection so it doesn’t hinder visibility for oncoming drivers. This system is available on the GLE in the U.S. for the first time.
On the exterior, Mercedes offers four new available 20-inch wheel designs and new color options including Manufaktur, the brand’s top-shelf options. The reveal model was painted Patagonia Red Metallic from the Manufaktur line.
Hybrid Power Gives New Engines a Better Drive
The new range of engines offered in three all-wheel drive trims delivers more efficiency and power: 350 4MATIC, GLE 450 4MATIC, and GLE 580 4MATIC. Each is fitted with an integrated starter generator, which, when combined with a turbocharger, creates a more responsive power delivery. A 48-volt mild hybrid electrical system allows for coasting, boost and recuperation to maximize efficiency even while the car is idling.
Here’s how the power shapes up:
- GLE 350 4MATIC: a 4-cylinder engine delivers 255 HP and 295 lb.-ft torque
- GLE 450 4MATIC – a 6-cylinder generates 375 HP and 413 lb.-ft. of torque
- GLE 580 4MATIC – a new V8 engine increases horsepower from 530 and produces 553 lb.-ft of torque
And here’s what the plug-in hybrid on the new GLE 500e 4MATIC’s inline 6-cylinder engine plug-in hybrid delivers:
- Gas engine output: 322 HP, 395 lb.-ft torque
- Electric: 181 HP, 354 lb.-ft torque
- Combined: 429 HP, 502 lb.-ft torque
More Quiet, Comfort and Capability On, and Off, the Road
Mercedes-Benz is known for an agile and quiet ride, delivering more comfort and less noise, vibration and harshness. These high standards extend to driving stability, safety, and performance, and a quick ride in the new GLE proves that out, even on a bumpy, muddy off-road course, thanks to the GLE’s standard all-wheel drive system. The course was designed to test out the dynamic select system, which helps control each wheel to counteract roll and pitch and lift movements. This also gives you the ability to more finely control the power when off-road at low and crawling speeds.
I got to test this on the assembly plant’s test track; the ride was quiet and comfortable. All-wheel drive is standard on the GLE, which is a great thing; it helps with enhanced traction for all driving situations on and off-road. By delivering torque on demand, the system adjusts continuously between the front and rear axles depending on the driving situation.
Mercedes-Benz has become known for its sporty and stable handling, but the GLE SUV now has a firmer, sportier feel than before, with the standard suspension and the option of automatic air suspension. And then, there’s this: a new cloud-based damper control can automatically adjust before encountering a bump, like a pothole or a speed bump. This system can also lower and raise the GLE for easier cargo space access.
But why settle for chassis control when you can have control over each wheel? The GLE 580 will also offer E-Active Body Control. This option allows each wheel to adapt the suspension accordingly based on road conditions and the control units analyze the driver situation 1,000 times per second. How clever is that?
The Interior Remains Posh and Illuminated, But Look Up: There’s More
This makeover gives us new colors, ambient styles, trim finishes and steering wheel controls. Here’s what we can expect to see in the new GLE SUV:
- New steering wheel intuitive control concept has a rocker for digital extra: advanced adaptive cruise control; there’s also a roller dial for volume control
- New interior colors: Beech Brown, combined with black, expands the color palette along the black, macchiato beige and Bahia brown options.
- The new color combo is available in leatherette, leather and AMG line Nappa leather. There is also a new two-tone classic red/black AMG line Nappa leather.
- There are three new trim elements: natural grain dark brown birch wood, natural grain brown walnut wood, and light flowing lines polished aluminum.
A panoramic sunroof is now standard with over 10.8 square feet of glass; it’s among the largest of its kind in a production SUV and it spans the full width and length of the roof, even to the optional third row, so passengers in each seat can enjoy a clear view of the sky. There is also a standard power-adjustable roller blind to provide shade for the full length of the panoramic sunroof.
The flexible interior is spacious with lots of legroom in the second row and options for power adjustable seats. The seats fold down in a 40:20:40 ratio, with a separate switch in the trunk panel as well. If you opt for the third row, there is a power easy-entry function that powers the seats forward to make it easier to climb in.
The GLE SUV offers 22.25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the 3rd row, up to 29 cubic feet with power-adjustable rear seats and 72.6 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. You know, for all of life’s adventures.
Tech Updates Deliver More For Your Drive
For 2026, Mercedes-Benz rolled out an entirely new operating system for its cars and SUVs: the MB.OS. This operates the MBUX, or Mercedes-Benz User Experience, a tech experience we love: voice-activated assistance, navigation, media and more. The MB.OS is basically a supercomputer with AI that is capable of over-the-air updates for the entire vehicle, meaning all systems can be updated with the push of a button at HQ.
MBUX plays out on a Superscreen, a total of 3- 12.3-inch digital displays across the front of the cabin under a seamless glass surface. Now, the passenger can access just about any app like Disney+, TikTok, Youtube and more on their own touchscreen.
MBUX navigation blends Google Maps technology with the MB interface, so now you can have your saved lists of destinations and easily drive from point to point. Using the MBUX virtual assistant now enables complex multi-turn conversations and features expressive avatars for a more personal interaction.
The available new Burmester 3D Surround Sound system with Dolby Atmos brings an immersive experience with 15 speakers, including two new 3D speakers in the roof and a 710-watt amplifier, which increased from the previous system’s 590 watts. Settings can be adjusted in the premium sound tile on the MBUX touchscreen.
The new electric filter with the optional energizing air control purifies the interior air for all occupants every 90 seconds. Although you cannot see it, this is an underrated feature to appreciate as a fellow allergy sufferer. This is exciting while I write this in the springtime.
Mercedes-Benz is also offering a digital key—which means your phone app is your key. You can lock, unlock, start, drive and power down your car using a smartphone.
Driver Assistance Systems with More Features to Improve the Daily Drive
There are more ways to stay safe with the next generation driver assistance. There are ten cameras and up to five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors. MB.Drive Standard detects parking spots on both sides of the vehicle, even spots without white lines. Now, this can assist with leaving a parking space even when the vehicle was previously parked manually.
With additional features like Digital Extra: Distance Assist Distronic, with the rocker on the steering wheel, activates the advanced adaptive cruise control, where you can set the speed and following distance. There are optional digital extras: MB.Drive Assist and MB.Drive Assist Pro for expanded driver assistance functions, with Drive Assist being commuter-focused with enhanced cruise control and blind-spot protection, and the Assist Pro being better for road trippers with active steering assist. At a later date, City Pro enables a seamless driving experience for even dense city traffic.
For drivers who find themselves transitioning from urban commutes to weekend adventures, the GLE’s camera system offers a “Transparent Hood” feature that feels like a superpower. By stitching together views from the external cameras, the center display shows a virtual look at the ground directly beneath the engine. This is a game-changer for navigating tricky garage ramps or spotting obstacles on a dirt trail. Whether you are utilizing the MB.Drive Assist Pro for centered, stress-free lane tracking on the open road or waiting for the upcoming City Pro to handle dense urban intersections, the GLE acts as a sophisticated co-pilot designed to reduce the mental load of driving.
The Makeover that Brings a Seamless User Experience, and Enjoyable Ride with Efficiency and Luxury Performance
The tech and performance with aesthetically pleasing and functional lighting updates will illuminate the need for more ways to interact, update, and drive the GLE SUV. With over-the-air updates, stable handling, and safety, I enjoyed the creature comforts of space, entertainment, and purposeful assistance integrated into this design.
Under the hood, the lineup remains versatile with a choice of mild hybrids or the new, more powerful GLE 500e plug-in hybrid, all featuring standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive. With gas prices currently surging—averaging over $6.00 a gallon in parts of California—the efficiency of the 500e is a timely addition to the luxury segment. While final pricing hasn’t been confirmed, we expect the 2027 models to start north of the current GLE 350’s $64,750 MSRP, with official figures arriving closer to launch.
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