Has a tech upgrade made the Mercedes-Benz GLE a more appealing premium SUV?

Mercedes-Benz has updated its GLE large SUV to now include mild hybrid tech throughout the range, as well as freshly upgraded plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants not yet seen in Australia.

The brand's Australian division confirmed the updates to the GLE were due to land locally by August 2023.

Mild-hybrid boosted models see variants currently available in Australia get a slight power bump, as well as connected services for the multimedia suite with over-the-air update capability.

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The design is also slightly tweaked, with a new front apron, daytime running lights and rear lamp profile, new wheel choices, and improved software for roll stabilisation.

The GLE range also scores a boost to standard equipment in its German home market, although local specs are yet to be locked in.

Not yet available in Australia, the two plug-in hybrid variants, the GLE 400e and 350de, also score an upgraded electric motor with additional power, and a new 11kW inverter allowing for a faster charge time from AC sockets (roughly three hours), while a 60kW DC charger can now also be optioned, reducing charge time to roughly half an hour. Range for PHEV models is boosted to 109km according to the WLTP cycle.

Unfortunately for local buyers seeking this option, Mercedes also confirmed the Australian division would not be taking plug-in hybrids, instead sticking with its new strategy of focusing on fully electric vehicles over plug-ins for Australia.

The GLE's multimedia system scores an over-the-air update capability.

Power is up on the available-in-Australia base GLE 300d to 198kW/550Nm from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, the mid-grade 450d with 270kW/750Nm from a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel, or the 450, which now produces 280kW/500Nm from its 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine. All grades now score an additional 15kW under electrified boost.

Meanwhile, in the performance-oriented AMG camp, the GLE 53 produces 320kW/560Nm from its 3.0-litre inline-six turbo with an additional 15kW/200Nm under electrified boost, while the GLE 63 S is up to 450kW/850Nm from its 4.0-litre turbocharged V8, with an additional 16kW/250Nm under electrified boost.

The GLE has new wheel choices.

Currently the GLE starts from $120,500 for the base 300d and stretches to $256,800 for the GLE63.

For the year ending 2022, the Mercedes-Benz GLE was the most popular vehicle in the luxury large SUV segment, outselling the BMW X5, Audi Q7, Lexus RX, and Volvo XC90.

Stay tuned closer to the GLE update’s arrival in August of this year for more accurate pricing and local specification.