A Familiar Silhouette with Major Internal Upgrades

Christoph Starzynski, Mercedes' Vice President of product strategy, pushes back against calling the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class a mere "second face-lift." Instead, he describes it as an entirely new vehicle wearing familiar sheet metal. While the exterior design remains largely consistent with the 2024 update, the 2027 model hides substantial mechanical and technological advancements aimed at fundamentally shifting the driving experience of this midsize luxury SUV.


The 2027 iteration retains the familiar SUV and fastback "coupe" body styles. While the exterior fascia has been updated—notably featuring a grille design heavily incorporating Mercedes' three-pointed star logo—the core structure remains unchanged. The real innovation lies beneath the surface, sharing hardware and software architecture with the prestigious S-Class and GLS.


Technological Leap: The Superscreen and MB.OS

The most striking cabin update is the new Superscreen dashboard. By integrating three 12.3-inch panels behind a single glass expanse, the design aims for a high-tech aesthetic. However, the implementation is somewhat polarizing, as large blank bezels remain visible when the displays are active, falling short of the seamless, pillar-to-pillar screen experience found in some competitors.


Functionality is supported by the new MB.OS platform, which enables over-the-air updates. Features include:

  • An augmented reality head-up display that projects navigation arrows directly onto the road.
  • A passenger screen capable of playing media, utilizing privacy tech to remain invisible to the driver.
  • Voice command improvements via "Hey Mercedes," though the system's consistency in handling various requests remains a mixed bag.

Refined Powertrains and Hybrid Performance

The 2027 GLE lineup benefits from significant powertrain enhancements. We spent considerable time in the GLE500e, a plug-in hybrid that has swapped its former four-cylinder engine for a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. This upgrade provides 429 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. More impressively, the electric-only driving range is expected to reach 60 miles, a notable improvement over its predecessor.


The refinement of these new engines is remarkable. Both the PHEV and the mild-hybrid inline-six in the GLE450 exhibit minimal vibration and near-silent operation. As noted in our experience: «The straight-six is about as close to undetectable as an engine can get.»


Suspension and Driving Dynamics

The 2027 GLE features a retuned air-sprung suspension that prioritizes extreme comfort, offering a remarkably soft, isolating ride. While this creates a serene cabin environment, it can result in excessive body motion over uneven surfaces. Switching to Sport mode helps mitigate this by firming up the suspension, providing a more composed feel through corners.


Regarding automated driving, the MB.Drive system continues to evolve. Currently, the lane-centering technology requires constant driver interaction, and automated lane-change functions showed inconsistent performance during our testing. Mercedes promises that more advanced "Level 2++" automation features will arrive via future software updates.


Verdict: Is it Enough?

Whether the 2027 GLE is technically "all-new" or a heavily refreshed model may be secondary to the fact that it delivers tangible improvements where it counts. By integrating sophisticated engine technology and advanced software from its flagship models, Mercedes has ensured the GLE remains a formidable, tech-forward, and exceptionally comfortable contender in the luxury SUV segment, even if its exterior styling remains conservative.