2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE facelift revealed, in Australia this year

The facelifted 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE large luxury SUV range has been revealed, ahead of first Australia showroom arrivals due in August 2023.

Four and a half years into their life cycles, the GLE 'wagon' and GLE Coupe siblings have received subtle exterior changes, improved interior technology, upgraded driver-assistance systems, and wider availability of mild-hybrid technology overseas.

Among the exterior changes made to the updated Mercedes-Benz model is a revised front bumper, altered LED headlight graphics, new wheel designs, and freshened tail-lamp graphics.

The AMG Line styling package picks up subtle changes to the front bumper, a diamond-themed grille insert, body-coloured wheel-arch cladding, and new side sills.

Inside, there’s a new multi-function steering wheel from the S-Class limousine, with touch-sensitive buttons in the horizontal spokes. There are also new colour and trim combinations.

The central 12.3-inch MBUX infotainment touchscreen has been updated with new software, bringing new functions including expanded camera views, and restyled information graphics for examples specified with the optional Off-Road package.    

New among the driver-assistance systems is a more advanced adaptive cruise control system, and a new Parking Package with revised 360-degree camera views.

Mercedes-Benz has added new functionality to the optional Trailer Assistant, which automatically controls the steering angle while reversing with a trailer, and is now able to manoeuvre into perpendicular parking spaces via controls in the central touch display. The maximum towing capacity remains 3500kg.

Also new is a Smart Home function, with connects with home devices to allow occupants to check if anyone is at home, and control lights, blinds, heaters and other appliances remotely.

Available in Europe will be three mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines, as well as petrol-electric and diesel-electric plug-in hybrid options, and two mild-hybrid AMG GLE53 six-cylinder and GLE63 twin-turbo V8 models.

The Australian model range is yet to be confirmed, however it is expected to continue with GLE300d and GLE400d (now GLE450d) diesel, GLE450 petrol, and both AMG models.

The 48-volt mild-hybrid system standard on all diesel and petrol engines overseas can add up to 15kW and 200Nm under hard acceleration, or shut off the engine after extended periods of low accelerator pedal load to save fuel.

In European markets, the GLE300d 4Matic's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine is 18kW/50Nm more powerful than the current model sold in Australia – now producing 198kW/550Nm – while the GLE450 4Matic gains 10kW for outputs of 280kW and 500Nm.

The GLE400d 4Matic has made way for a new GLE450d 4Matic model, which upgrades its turbocharged 2.9-litre inline six-cylinder diesel engine with mild-hybrid tech and an additional 50Nm, for outputs of 243kW/750Nm.

The petrol and diesel plug-in hybrid models sold in Europe – but not in Australia – have been upgraded with more power, faster charging and up to 105km of electric driving range.

Opening the AMG range continues to be the GLE53, which runs a more powerful version of the GLE450’s 3.0-litre turbo inline-six with 320kW and 560Nm – up 40Nm on the old GLE53 – lowering the claimed 0-100km/h time by 0.3 seconds, to 5.0 seconds.

Meanwhile, the flagship GLE63 S retains a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine with carry-over outputs of 450kW and 850Nm, good for a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds and an electronically-limited 280km/h top speed.

Both AMG models feature 48-volt mild-hybrid technology – new for the GLE63, but already fitted to the GLE53 – with a gearbox-mounted electric motor providing an additional 15kW and 200Nm in the GLE53, and 16kW and 250Nm in the GLE63, under hard acceleration.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE is expected to arrive in Australia showrooms this August.