2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupé gain a second facelift

The third-generation Mercedes-Benz GLE arrived in 2019 and received a “facelift” in 2023. After seven years, an all-new generation might have been expected, but that is not the case. Instead, the German manufacturer has given the GLE and GLE Coupé a second facelift, one that is more extensive than the update introduced three years ago.

Starting with the 2026 GLE exterior, it gains… plenty of stars, following a theme seen on the brand’s latest launches. They appear in the new front and rear light signatures, while also forming the decorative pattern of the larger front grille. The bumpers have been restyled, and new 20-inch wheels are available.

At the rear, much like the “mask” spanning the tailgate of the new all-electric Mercedes-Benz GLC, the updated GLE models feature a black strip connecting both rear lights. These incorporate three-dimensional star-shaped elements and the brand logo in the middle.

A cabin dominated by screens

Inside the 2026 GLE, the changes are more substantial: the interior is essentially new.

The main addition is the standard-fit MBUX Supercreen, comprising three displays positioned beneath a single glass surface that stretches across almost the full width of the cabin. A panoramic roof now comes as standard on every version as well.

For this second update, the steering wheels have also been redesigned. Their controls are no longer exclusively haptic, with two physical rotary controllers now included.

Revised and more powerful engines

Under the bonnet of the 2026 GLE and GLE Coupé, diesel, petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains remain available. However, the line-up now consists solely of inline six-cylinder and V8 engines, with four-cylinder units removed.

For diesel versions, both the GLE 350 d 4MATIC and GLE 450 d 4MATIC use the same 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine. Their outputs differ, however: 286 hp and 650 Nm of torque versus 367 hp and 750 Nm, respectively.

The petrol engines bring the greatest changes. Both the 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder and 4.0-litre V8 are significantly revised versions of their predecessors, even gaining the Evo suffix in their names: M 256 and M 177, respectively.

The six-cylinder engine powers the GLE 450 4MATIC. Output remains at 381 hp, although torque rises by 12%, from 500 Nm to 560 Nm, due to a new cylinder head, larger air intake and redesigned exhausts.

At the top of the range sits the GLE 580 4MATIC, “powered” by the V8 first introduced in the 2026 S-Class. It stands out for its flat-plane crankshaft - as used in Ferrari engines. The result is 537 hp and 750 Nm of torque, along with a 0–100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds, matching the more powerful Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Hybrid.

Those seeking the best of both worlds can choose the GLE 450 e 4MATIC plug-in hybrid. It drops the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in favour of precisely the same inline six-cylinder used by the GLE 450.

Its combined system output is therefore higher. It gains 74 hp, increasing from 381 hp to 455 hp. The battery, meanwhile, retains its 25.3 kWh usable capacity, with up to 106 km of electric range claimed on the combined WLTP cycle.

When will it arrive?

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupé do not yet have a market launch date, although every indication suggests they will arrive later this year. Prices for the domestic market have not yet been confirmed either.

Even so, they are expected to be close to those of the current models, which are available from €100,800 and €108,050, respectively.