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Mercedes-Benz's largest 'soft-roader' SUVs have been overhauled with bolder styling, an interior redesign, and updated engines.
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The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS luxury SUVs have been facelifted with new styling and technology, ahead of Australian arrivals due sometime next year.
The latest overhauls represent the second major update in the current GLE and GLS SUVs' lifespans – following less significant 2023 facelifts – and brings the into line with newer models in the Mercedes-Benz range.
Australian showroom arrivals are due to commence in 2027, with precise timing and prices to be confirmed closer to launch.
Visual changes focus on the addition of Mercedes-Benz stars to the new front grille, enlarged LED headlights, and restyled LED tail-lights, the latter connected across the tailgate by prominent black trim akin to the GLC electric SUV.
Illumination is optional for the front grille surround, while buyers can specify new-generation Digital Light headlights with a 40 per cent greater light field and a high-beam range up to 600 metres, yet 50 per cent lower energy consumption.
The upright Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet of non-AMG Line GLS variants is available with illumination that operates while stationary in China, and while driving in the US.
Restyled door mirror caps, revised lower bumpers and new Dark Petrol and Patagonia Red paint colours have been added, plus fresh 20-inch wheels for the GLE, or 21- and 22-inch alloys for the GLS.
Inside, three 12.3-inch screens now feature across the dashboard, placed under a single pane of glass, as a less extreme version of the MBUX Superscreen seen in the latest E-Class sedan.
The displays run updated MBUX software powered by the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, a central computing unit claimed to boost multimedia performance and enable an AI assistant via ChatGPT, Microsoft and Google.
The 'Zero Layer' places commonly-used apps and computer-recommended functions along the bottom of the central display, the satellite navigation now runs on Google Maps, and owners can choose between three 'avatars' for the in-car voice assistant.
Standard in many markets is a front passenger display to stream video, which only activates when an occupant is detected in the front passenger seat, and uses a "camera-based system" to disable the screen if it detects the driver is looking at it.
Optional is a 3D effect for the instrument cluster, and an augmented-reality head-up display, while the GLS exclusively offers dual 11.6-inch second-row screens.
A digital key function has been added, as well as in-car payments for the app store on the touchscreen, and video conferencing functions through Microsoft Teams.
Other interior design changes include elliptical outer air vents replacing square units, the return of physical switches to the steering wheel, reshaped front 'comfort' seats, and new Beech Brown leather and, on the GLE AMG Line, black/red nappa leather/suede combination upholstery.
Available in the GLE as an option is a power-adjustable second row of seats with a 60:40 split sliding base and 40:20:40 split folding backrest, as well as a third row of seating.
The GLS fits seven seats as standard, with power adjustment across all three rows, with optional massaging, heating and ventilation 'captain's chairs' in the second row, as well as heating for the rear-most positions.
Mercedes-Benz claims a new electric cabin air filter in both cars helps "completely" renew interior air every 90 seconds, and a newly-available Magic Vision Control system can even clear "stubborn dirt" from the windscreen.
An upgraded 15-speaker Burmester sound system, now rated at 710 watts (up from 590W) and equipped with Dolby Atmos, has been added to the options list.
Powering the GLE and GLS in global markets is a range of six-cylinder and V8 engines with varying levels of hybrid assistance, all matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
A 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder diesel is available in 210kW/650Nm 350d and 270kW/750Nm 450d variants of each model, aided by 48-volt 'mild hybrid' tech claimed to provide a 17kW/250Nm boost under acceleration, or switch off the engine while coasting.
They gain an electric heating catalyst for quicker warm-up once started, and new 'Nanoslide' cylinder liners derived from Formula One to improve efficiency.
The 3.0-litre turbo inline-six petrol GLE450 and GLS450 retain their 280kW power outputs, but have seen torque rise from 500Nm to 560Nm, thanks to revised internal components.
The GLE450e plug-in hybrid has switched from four cylinders to six for a 55kW power boost, now about 340kW, though its predecessor was never sold in Australia.
Powering the updated PHEV is a detuned 240kW/540Nm version of the GLE450's petrol six-cylinder aided by a 135kW/480Nm electric motor, replacing a 185kW/400Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine and 100kW/440Nm electric assist.
Mercedes-Benz claims an electric-only driving range of 106km in WLTP testing.
There is no mention of AMG 63 variants, leaving the GLE580 and GLS580 as the only V8s, adding a flat-plane crank design to the 4.0-litre twin-turbo eight-cylinder for outputs of 395kW/750Nm, up from 380kW/730Nm.
The only AMGs announced thus far are two versions of the AMG GLE53, powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-six producing 330kW/600Nm in standard mild-hybrid form, or 430kW/750Nm as a plug-in hybrid.
The PHEV claims the same 4.5-second zero to 100km/h acceleration time as the GLE580, but with the benefit of a 31.2kWh battery pack for up to 93km of claimed electric-only driving range.
Changes to the adaptive air suspension are claimed to use data from other Mercedes-Benz vehicles to store the location of speed bumps and adjust its firmness proactively.
Meanwhile, updated electrically-controlled anti-roll bars are said to counteract "not only roll but also pitch and lift movements" for "a body that no longer dips when braking and accelerating," according to Mercedes-Benz.
Other updates include revised automatic parking technology with faster responses and support for diagonal spaces.
The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS are due in Australian showrooms next year.
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Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
