The facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLE has been spied again.
The current, fourth-generation GLE was revealed at the 2018 Paris motor show, so it’s time for a mid-life update to bring it in line with the rest of the Mercedes range.
This particular GLE prototype is wearing only some light camouflage.
Up front there appears to be a redesigned front bumper, new grille, as well as slimmer headlights with a new daytime running light signature.
Down back, it appears the only update will be to the tail lights.
We expect a range of new wheel designs, potentially including the featured dual-five-spoke design.
Inside, it’s unlikely the GLE will adopt the new, portrait-oriented infotainment screen seen in the new S-Class and C-Class, but tweaks to its MBUX system are likely along with changes like a new steering wheel.
The GLE is already offered with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and a range of 48V mild-hybrid (MHEV) powertrains, but a longer electric range for the PHEV and more power from the MHEV options are possibilities.
The entry-level GLE300d 4Matic for the 2022 model year is receiving a 48V mild-hybrid system that boosts outputs by an additional 15kW and 200Nm for short periods.
Although it’s confirmed for Europe, it’s not coming to Australia for now with a Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson saying “there are no changes to announce regarding our local GLE line-up at this stage”.
Up until the end of October 2021, Mercedes-Benz has sold 2912 GLE wagons and 900 GLE coupes.
Even just taking the wagon sales figure into account, the GLE is the top-seller in its large luxury SUV segment, outselling its BMW X5 (2648), Lexus RX (1615) and Audi Q7 (1380) rivals.
