2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Shines In Realistic Digital Illustrations

Did you think the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S needs a refresh? Probably not, as the latest iteration hasn’t been on sale for a long period of time. However, the three-pointed star brand’s performance division would beg to differ, so it is now preparing a facelift for the BMW X5 M rival.
 

A trio of AMG-infused SUVs were recently spotted testing together in the open. The ad-hoc lineup included the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63, the GLE 53, and the GLE 63, and it was the latter that has fallen into the hands of the rendering crowd, with the peeps at Kolesa peeling off the camouflage to reveal some very obvious visual modifications.
 
You can tell what is new, can’t you? Well, the novelties start with those star-studded headlights, which look great on any modern Mercedes. For what it’s worth, it’s strange that it took the company a long time to come up with this styling trait. The front bumper is also new. It has a reshaped gaping central air intake and smaller side vents. Further up, we can see that the Panamericana grille with vertical slats has also undergone the refresh, as it has a new shape and pattern.
 
The visual updates continue at the car’s rear end, which is where the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S features a new pair of taillights. Just like the main clusters up front, these also have star-studded influences, and it’s great to see that the automaker hasn’t fallen for the full-width LED strip, which is becoming kitschy, alongside the similar feature at the front and the backlit grilles. The bumper is also new, and the diffuser beneath it has been modified.
 

Since this is a facelift and not a new generation, the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S has an identical profile. Still, it is possible that the company will at least give it some new wheel options, and we wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the color palette has been expanded. The AMG and GLE 63 S logos still decorate the tailgate, albeit with a dark finish, and the super SUV doesn’t have that many shiny accents on the outside in these digital illustrations.
 
It is likely that the facelifted GLE 63 S won’t switch to the controversial electrified four-banger found on the C 63 S E Performance, and it should soldier on with a V8. The 4.0-liter bi-turbo unit with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance develops 603 hp (612 ps/450 kW) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque in the outgoing iteration, enabling 0-60 mph (0 to 97 kph) in 3.7 seconds. The 2025 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic+ SUV has an MSRP of $130,800, and its successor, which should be due later this year and launch as a 2026 model, is likely to become a bit pricier.
 
So, do you like the refreshed design of the 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S? We think it looks much better than its predecessor, and it will certainly up the ante for the BMW X5 M, which is one of its biggest rivals in the segment and one of the prettiest, too. The latest X5 M Competition also uses a V8 with dual turbos, albeit a 4.4-liter unit. It enjoys 617 hp (626 ps/460 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque, is equally fast to the AMG from 0-60 mph, and has an MSRP of $127,200 for the 2025MY.