The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class midsize SUV traces its lineage back to 1997, when the premium German automaker introduced its groundbreaking M-Class SUV as a rugged machine with luxury trimmings. For the 2027 model year, the GLE gets significant upgrades to its exterior styling, interior features, and powertrain options.
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
While it’s technically a refresh and not a ground-up redesign, Mercedes-Benz has made changes to just about every part of its midsize GLE SUV and Coupe. A new range of engines for every GLE variant improves performance and responsiveness. Styling has been updated with a new grille and front and rear lighting clusters, and the interior features a standard MBUX Superscreen setup that integrates three digital screens into a single element. Optional MB.Drive Assist Pro technology offers more advanced driver assistance functions than the systems used in older GLE models.
Design
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE manages to look both rugged and sophisticated. A new front grille design features an illuminated three-pointed star badge, optional illuminated chrome trim, and a black panel that visually connects the grille and headlights into a single design element. More star-shaped details appear in the grille, front and rear lighting units, and side air inlets.
Mercedes-Benz also offers its GLE-Class SUV in Coupe form with a dramatic sloping roofline and an overall more aggressive exterior design. While the regular GLE SUV has a horizontal black bar connecting the two taillight clusters, the GLE Coupe keeps the two units visually separated.
Powertrain
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 4Matic features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, equipped with an electric turbocharger compressor for improved response over previous versions. Mercedes quotes a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds for the 2027 GLE 350 4Matic.
Stepping up to the GLE 450 4Matic brings a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 375 hp and 413 lb-ft, which is enough to push the SUV from 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds. The GLE 500e 4Matic uses a similar inline-six engine and adds an electric motor and plug-in battery pack to produce 429 hp and 502 lb-ft, providing sufficient grunt to post a 5.5-second 0-60 mph time and around 50 miles of electric driving range per charge.
At the top of the non-AMG-badged GLE lineup is the Mercedes-Benz GLE 580 4Matic, which features a 4.0-liter V8 engine with 530 hp and 553 lb-ft. Equipped this way, the rugged SUV can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz has also announced one AMG model called the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53e Hybrid. The new model features a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a 3.0-liter inline six boosted by a turbocharger and an electric motor that pushes 577 hp and 553 lb-ft to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It’s capable of hitting 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds and can travel up to 87 mph in electric mode. We wouldn’t be surprised to see more powerful AMG GLE models announced at a later date.
All 2027 GLE SUVs feature Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD) system, which can route up to 100 percent of the powertrain’s torque to either the front or rear axle. Properly equipped, the 2027 GLE can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
Interior
The 2027 GLE’s dashboard is dominated by digital screens, but the overall look is refined rather than techy. The MBUX Superscreen and ambient lighting elements can be adjusted by the driver. Mercedes offers a number of interior colors and finishes in the 2027 GLE, including Black, Macchiato Beige, Bahia Brown, and a new-for-2027 Beech Brown shade that’s offered in MB-Tex (a tough-wearing faux leather upholstery), leather, or fancy AMG Line Nappa leather. Two-tone Classic Red/Black AMG Line Nappa leather is also available. Trim options include Natural Grain Dark Brown Birch Wood, Natural Grain Brown Walnut Wood, and Light Flowing Lines Polished Aluminum.
The 2027 GLE-Class SUV offers an optional third row of seats, and available power-sliding second-row chairs can move 3.9 inches forward or back to offer maximum passenger roominess or cargo space.
Technology
Three 12.3-inch screens make up the MBUX Superscreen, which is standard on the 2027 GLE SUV, and a seamless glass panel covers the displays, forming them into a single unit. The display in front of the front passenger can show streaming content, including videos from Disney+ or YouTube. A 3D instrument cluster is optional and adds visual depth to the digital gauges. The new MBUX Augmented Reality Head-up Display projects a color image on the dashboard with information relevant to the driver, including route guidance.
Mercedes-Benz’s Airmatic air suspension technology is available on the GLE SUV and provides intelligent damper control that adjusts damping before large obstacles, such as speed bumps. The manufacturer's Car-to-X communication system enables the 2027 GLE to send and receive information to and from and other compatible Mercedes vehicles to warn drivers about potential hazards ahead of time.
Optional E-Active Body Control for the GLE 580 4Matic model can keep the SUV level even when it’s loaded with cargo and raise or lower the suspension for additional ground clearance or easier entry or exit. Free-wheel mode can be used to help escape from low-traction surfaces such as sand, and individual wheel control can raise or lower each wheel independently to improve off-road capabilities.
