Refreshed 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE & GLE Coupe Debuts, New PHEV Variant Added

The mighty three-point star marque has taken the wraps off its newly revised GLE and GLE Coupe crossover SUVs earlier today. Besides tweaks across the board to make both more capable off-road, Mercedes also added an advanced new MBUX system in the mix, with the range also welcoming a new GLE 400e 4Matic plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.

With the exterior, tweaks can be seen in the bumpers, grille, and headlights. The taillights have also been refreshed and updated to feature two horizontal blocks, while the ambient lighting on board now comes with the option to project the Mercedes-Benz pattern.

The rear lights also get a new look in the GLE Coupe, which gets the AMG Line exterior package as standard fitment. This adds a deeper bumper, diamond grille pattern, as well as  extended wheel arches.

On board, Mercedes’ latest steering wheel design makes an appearance, featuring touch controls that allow easier access to central screen functions without having to reach across. There’s also more chrome on the air vent surrounds plus new trim colour combinations.

As mentioned, the refresh sees both the GLE and GLE Coupe gaining the latest MBUX infotainment suite. It now boasts more of the controls inside the remit of the twin 12.3-inch screens on top of four display staples, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as the ability to receive over-the-air software updates.

Under the hood, the latest plug-in hybrid GLE 400e pairs a 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo mill with an electric motor plus a 23.3 kWh battery pack. Altogether, this package delivers 381 HP and 649 NM. Though Mercedes hasn’t stated any claimed full-electric range for this, the firm did confirm that an optional 60kW DC charger will be offered, thus promising quicker charges.

In Europe, the GLE 400e develops 248 HP instead whilst the GLE 350 de 4MATIC, which gets a 2.0-litre diesel instead, provides 194 HP. All of the GLE’s powertrains gain some level of electrification via the automaker’s 48-volt mild hybrid system, which in Europe will be added to the 2.0-liter and a 3.0-litre diesel engines.

Furthermore, Mercedes added an Off-Road Engineering Package for the range-topping GLE 580 variant. It adds an underride guard, and an extra 1.2 inches of ground clearance, as well as an off-road mode that can display gradients, roll angles, and steering angles while also showing a view of the front wheels on the centre display.

Beyond these key changes, customers get to opt for either Twilight Blue and Alpine Grey paint for their GLE to match the new 19- and 20-inch wheels it rolls on. Sales, on the other hand, will commence later this year in North America, with the rest of the world to follow suit.