Facelifted Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Arrives with New PHEV Powertrain

Newly-updated Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 arrives with new PHEV powertrain setup

Following the debut of the facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLE Coupe earlier this year, the souped-up Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 has finally received the much-needed mid-life upgrade. Arriving to both the standard and Coupe models, this update sees the GLE 53 getting a new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain setup, alongside some minor design tweaks.

Starting off with its brand-new powertrain, both the new GLE 53 and GLE 53 Coupe are now powered by a PHEV powertrain consisting of a 3.0-litre inline-6 mill that is capable of producing 443 HP by itself. Mated to a single electric motor rated at 134 HP (100 kW), this powertrain setup boasts a total system output of 536 HP and 749 NM – good enough to despatch this midsize SUV crossover from nought to 100 KM/H in just 4.7 seconds.

For comparison, the pre-facelift GLE 53 model only boasts a total system output of 429 HP and 559 NM, courtesy of the same 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbocharged mill with the help of a 48-volt mild hybrid (MHEV) setup.

Back to the GLE 53 PHEV, said electric motor is juiced by a 31.2-kWh battery pack for a maximum EV range of up to 87 KM (WLTP). Unlike many other PHEVs out there, the GLE 53 is offered with a DC fast charging upgrade at up to 60 kW rate, enabling the pack to be charged from 10% to 80% within 20 minutes. Should you not opt for this add-on, this souped-up PHEV SUV also supports on-board AC 11 kW charging method.

Facelifted Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 PHEV SUV (left) and Coupe (right)

Similar to its non-AMG siblings, both the GLE 53 SUV and GLE 53 Coupe gain a pretty minor design tweak. For starters, both models now come with a slightly revised front face featuring repositioned air vents and intakes that helped to improve the vehicle’s airflow. Aside from that, both AMG-badged models also get new hybrid badging, while the rest of the car looks pretty much the same as we saw on the updated non-AMG GLE models.

More importantly, the AMG GLE 53 also gains several new mechanical upgrades, aside from its new powertrain. This includes a revamped AMG Ride Control+ air suspension system, new rear damper hardware and stabilisers, while the chassis, steering rack and the 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive (AWD) system are all being tweaked to provide better performance, without compromising too much on ride comfort.

Speaking of settings, the new PHEV powertrain also grants the GLE 53 with two new hybrid-specific driving modes – Electric and Battery Hold. While the former mode is self-explanatory, the Battery Hold mode limits the usage of the battery, allowing drivers to preserve the battery charge for longer periods.

On board, the GLE 53 gets the similar update as its non-AMG counterparts. Key highlights include the new MBUX infotainment system comprises of two 12.3-inch displays with full mobile connectivity support (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) and over-the-air (OTA) software update, carbon fibre trims on the dash and door cards, Alcantara-wrapped AMG steering wheel, AMG semi-bucket seats, and many more.

The newly-updated Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 will arrive later in 2025 for selected international markets

The newly-updated Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV and Coupe are poised to make its debut in selected international markets including Europe and the US later in 2025. As for now, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) offers the pre-updated Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ only in the Coupe version, with the fully-imported (CBU) model tagged handsomely at RM868,888 on-the-road price tag.