2026 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Hybrid Makes 577 HP

Mercedes-Benz GLE has received a much-needed revamp. Despite the automaker giving the SUV a mid-cycle refresh for 2024, it is already looking dated. That will change soon when the new GLE goes on sale, which arrives with a fresh design, a tweaked interior, and updated powertrains.
 

At the top of the range will be the 2027 GLE 580 4Matic, which features a revamped twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter mild-hybrid V8 engine. It now makes 530 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, up from 510 hp and 538 lb-ft, respectively.
 
The engine now features a flat-plane crankshaft, while engineers “optimized” several components, including the injection system, intake camshaft, and cylinder head ports. Mercedes claims the SUV will accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds.
 
Powering the GLE 450 4Matic is a revised 3.0-liter mild-hybrid inline-six engine. It produces the same 375 hp as before, but torque is up from 369 lb-ft to 413 lb-ft, thanks to a more powerful electric auxiliary compressor, a modified intake camshaft, and revised cylinder head ports. It can hit 60 mph in 5.0 seconds.
 
The GLE Coupe is only offered in the 450 4Matic trim with the new inline-six engine, but there is an AMG variant. It has the same output as the regular GLE, but takes 5.2 seconds to reach 60 mph.
 
At the bottom of the lineup will be the GLE 350 4Matic. This model will feature an improved 2.0-liter mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine with an electric compressor. The output for this variant is 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, unchanged from the current crossover, but it is 0.1 seconds quicker to 60, needing 6.8 seconds.
 
Mercedes will also offer a plug-in hybrid version called the GLE 500e, which appears to replace the 450e. The 500e uses the new 3.0-liter inline-six to produce a combined 429 hp and 502 lb-ft and can sprint to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds.
 

Mercedes limits the top speed in all the standard GLEs to 130 mph, and the SUV can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
 
The automaker’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, which can deliver 100 percent of the torque to either axle, is standard on every trim. The GLE also has a new transfer case with a low-range reduction gear.
 
3,000 New Or Revised Components
Mercedes says the GLE has about 3,000 new or revised components. Outside of the revised powertrains, the GLE receives new styling with updated fascias, a new front bumper, and updated lights, which better align with the automaker’s current design language.
 
Inside, the GLE comes standard with the automaker’s Superscreen—three 12.3-inch displays spanning the dashboard beneath a single piece of glass running the brand’s latest operating system. The displays sit above revised vents, but most of the interior appears unchanged, like the center console.
 
The GLE will have two new exterior colors—Dark Petrol and Manufaktur Patagonia Red Metallic—and four new 20-inch wheel designs.
 

The AMG Variant
The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Hybrid is significantly more powerful than the outgoing model. It uses the automaker’s new 3.0-liter inline-six engine, which also features a larger intake system.
 
Mercedes pairs the engine with a 181-hp electric motor. The 53’s combined output is 577 hp and 553 lb-ft.
 
The previous 53 produced 429 hp and 413 lb-ft. According to the automaker, the new GLE 53 is 0.5 seconds quicker to 60 mph than its predecessor, reaching it in just 4.4 seconds.
 
The GLE 53 will stand out from the rest of the lineup with an AMG-specific grille, quad exhaust tips, and an AMG steering wheel. New colors include the Manufaktur Patagonia Red Metallic and Manufaktur Cirrus Silver Magno.
 
Mercedes doesn’t say exactly when the new GLE will go on sale, but it is a 2027 model, so it should arrive at dealers sometime this year. We expect the automaker to announce pricing closer to its on-sale date. The 2026 GLE 350 starts at $63,600, while the AMG GLE 53 starts at $91,350 (destination included).
 
The GLE needed a revamp, and this update brings the SUV in line with the rest of the Mercedes lineup. The new styling makes the 2027 GLE feel much more modern than its predecessor, and the enhanced powertrain lineup is a nice addition.