2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Spotted: Second Facelift

Mercedes-Benz appears to be preparing a second update to its GLE-Class midsize SUV that is more substantial than the last update.

A prototype of the GLE-Class with a new front-end design hidden under camouflage was spotted testing, confirming that work on an updated version is underway.

Parts of the interior are also hidden, suggesting a new steering wheel design and a larger infotainment screen.

The current GLE-Class was introduced as a 2020 model and received its first update for the 2024 model year. This second update is expected to debut around 2026 and will likely appear in the 2027 model year.

Mercedes does not typically update its vehicles more than once in a product cycle, but the second update will help keep the GLE-Class fresh longer, as it has been suggested that Mercedes will continue to sell some of its current gasoline vehicles longer than originally planned. The current S-Class is another vehicle that is expected to have an extended product cycle.

The reason for this is that demand for electric vehicles has been slower than expected. Mercedes had planned to go the fully electric route by 2030, but announced in February that it would continue to sell gas-powered vehicles beyond that date.

It is not clear what Mercedes plans to do regarding mechanical components, but it has already been confirmed that AMG's GLE 53 will get a new plug-in hybrid powertrain for the 2026 model year, rather than the current mild hybrid. The new powertrain will combine a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder with an electric motor, producing a total of 536 hp.

The V-8 may also be discontinued. The updated 2025 G-Class replaced the V-8 with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6, but the AMG G 63 variant retains the V-8 for now.

Several new technologies will likely be added. One of these would be the off-road cockpit revealed in the 2025 G-Class. This would provide an overview of key information for off-road driving, both in the instrument cluster and on the infotainment screen. This would include information such as vehicle position, compass, altitude, steering angle, tire pressure, and temperature displays. The system also includes a transparent hood feature that allows the driver to see under the engine compartment using the surround view camera system, which is useful not only when driving off-road, but also when navigating tricky curbs.

Stay tuned for updates as development progresses.