Mercedes did not seek to reinvent the wheel. The restyled GLE retains its main lines (literally and figuratively) and is content with a reasoned evolution of its style. The grille gains in relief, the headlights feature a new light signature intended to emphasize the width of the vehicle, and the rear lights are decorated with graphics inspired by the star pattern found on the brand’s latest productions.
The dimensions have not changed a single centimeter: 4.92 meters long, 2.01 meters wide. The GLE remains what it has always been: a massive SUV, designed to swallow the miles with the family without asking too many questions. The Coupé version is still on the program for those who are a little put off by pragmatism, with its sloping roofline which costs a few liters of trunk space but gains in style.
A high-tech interior, provided you like screens
On board, Mercedes continues to focus on technological density. Three 12.3-inch panels occupy the dashboard, controlled by the new in-house MB.OS operating system. Google Maps is natively integrated, and ChatGPT appears for managing voice commands. You can also make video conferences from the passenger seat, when stationary. Useful, probably, for a certain clientele.
The rear space remains one of the solid arguments of the model: 3 adults can fit there without complaint, and the trunk displays between 630 and 825 liters depending on the position of the bench, which slides 10 cm. The finishes remain in the Mercedes tradition: Nappa leather, wood, metal or carbon trim… The customization catalog is long, and the final bill can rise quickly.
The range is restructured, PHEV diesels disappear
This is perhaps where the problem hurts the most. If Mercedes maintains its diesel engines in the range (which remains logical in a European market which has not turned its back on diesel) the diesel plug-in hybrid versions are abandoned. However, we could see them as a sensible compromise for heavy riders who wanted to combine autonomy and sobriety.
On the PHEV petrol side, the GLE 450e promises 106 km of electric range, which is a correct value, provided, as always, not to rely too much on the approved figures. At the top of the range, the AMG versions play in another league. The GLE 53 develops 449 hp, while the 53 plug-in hybrid peaks at 585 hp, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds.
Prices have not yet been made official, but Mercedes suggests that the entry-level diesel will gravitate around €85,000, like today. This GLE therefore remains a purchase reserved for customers who do not have (too much) to count, which is nothing new.
Brands and models:MERCEDES-BENZGLE (2015)
Mercedes GLE (2026): what changes (and what disappears) with the restyling
The Mercedes GLE is getting a serious facelift for 2026: three screens, integrated ChatGPT, a 585 hp AMG version… and the discreet abandonment of plug-in diesel hybrids. We take stock of this big restyling, which is more important than it seems.
