2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Ever since its predecessor, dubbed the M-Class, came out in the 1990s, the Alabama-built Mercedes-Benz GLE has been the German luxury brand’s take on a practical midsize SUV with American tastes in mind. This formula is unchanged in 2026, with the GLE offering equal measures of luxury and sensibility. It does everything you could ask a premium midsize SUV to do, and it does it while coddling its occupants in the comfort we expect from the three-pointed star on the grille. For drivers with extra room in the budget and extra appetite for performance, the AMG models add stunning performance to the formula with the style to match.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury midsize SUVs, including the Mercedes-Benz GLE.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE adds fancy (and expensive) Manufaktur paint options this year. Also, the AMG Line appearance package now comes standard on all 6-cylinder GLE 450 models. Notably, the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE receives a major mid-cycle refresh, including updated styling, a standard Superscreen spanning the whole dash, and retuned engines.

The pricing of the Mercedes-Benz GLE is typical for a German luxury SUV in this class; about the same as the Audi Q7 and a little cheaper than the BMW X5. More affordable rivals in midsize luxury SUVs include the Lexus RX, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

Before buying a GLE, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Mercedes-Benz resale value is above average for the segment, bested only by rivals from Lexus and Acura. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The driving experience of the Mercedes-Benz GLE varies quite a bit depending on what’s under the hood. This is true of both engine performance and the finer points of driving dynamics, such as ride quality, handling, braking, and steering.

We’ll mainly focus on the 4-cylinder GLE 350 and the 6-cylinder GLE 450 since those make up the bulk of the GLE’s sales volume. The GLE 350 is the value choice, insofar as the word “value” can be applied to a Mercedes. Making an adequate 255 horsepower and returning 23 combined mpg, the 4-cylinder is best suited for the daily commute. However, the enthusiast in us prefers the gutsier GLE 450, which brings much more spunk with only a small fuel economy penalty. The AMG GLE 53 adds even more pizzazz to the daily commute while retaining this SUV’s practicality.

V8-powered GLE models include the brawny GLE 580 and the bonkers AMG GLE 63 S, both of which deliver big power but have an equally big thirst for gas. Conversely, there’s the GLE 450e plug-in hybrid, which has an impressive 50-mile all-electric range and, by far, the lowest fuel costs in the GLE lineup.

Notably, every 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE model requires premium gas, even the hybrid.

Powertrain

The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz GLE is appropriately luxurious. Seat comfort is top-notch in the first and second rows, but the optional third row, with only 29.1 inches of legroom, is only suitable for kids. Consider the bigger and roomier GLS if you’ll use the third row regularly. That said, in 2-row guise, the GLE is a spacious and accommodating midsize SUV. Fair warning: The sleeker Coupe body style of the GLE compromises cargo space and eliminates the option for a third row.

Infotainment duties are handled by the MBUX system with a 12.3-inch central display and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Our editors are a bit mixed on a love-it-or-hate-it spectrum with this Mercedes infotainment system. The lovers like the flexibility of the touchscreen with a redundant laptop-style touchpad, while the haters think the menus could be better organized and easier to navigate. Like with any other computer system, it’ll become second nature once you get used to it. Luckily, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are onboard so you can make the screen as easy to use as your phone.

Variety
The Mercedes-Benz GLE model range has something for everyone in the market for a midsize luxury SUV. It can be an opulent chariot with cloud-like ride quality, a rip-roaring performance car, or anything in between. In addition to tons of powertrain options, it has two body styles and an available third row of seats.

Burmester audio
The Burmester audio systems available in Mercedes-Benz models are consistently some of our favorites in the business. They deliver your music and podcasts as they’re meant to be heard, and the elegant speaker grilles are among the prettiest you’ll find anywhere.

Hey Mercedes
The onboard digital assistant, prompted by the phrase “Hey Mercedes,” can take commands for navigation, entertainment, climate control, and even control the massaging seats. It’s one of the more natural voice assistants of its kind we’ve tested.