Rather than coming out with a brand-new GLE in 2026 for the 2027 model year, the 167 series will be revised yet again. The second facelift has been spied numerous times already, but more recently, the carparazzi spotted a German-plated vehicle with star-shaped taillights à la the 2024 model year E-Class.
Similar to the 214 series, the second revision of the 167 appears to feature two three-pointed stars per taillight cluster. A redesigned bumper also needs to be mentioned, along with a slightly different liftgate. New headlights and a new front bumper – complete with a new radiator grille – also need to be mentioned.
Given the aforementioned changes, it should come as no surprise that Mercedes used camo wrap for the front and rear ends exclusively. Interior changes will not be as huge, for the current generation of the GLE is adequately plush and big on tech. Still, there is room for improvement, beginning with the 5G modem and MBUX Superscreen of the 214 series.
We also expect new upholstery and trim choices, a different steering wheel, and – obviously enough – a tweaked console for good measure. Under the skin, hearsay suggests that Mercedes will drop the M176-series V8 of the GLE 580 for an electrified sixer. The AMG-ified GLE 53 is primed to become plug-in hybrid, whereas the 63 is certain to feature a hand-built V8 motor.
In other words, the only V8 available for 2027 would be the M177, which is punchier than its machine-built sibling. With the G 550 swapping its V8 for the M256 turbo inline-six lump for the 2025 model year, the facelifted GLE 580 could very well follow said recipe for improved fuel efficiency and emissions.
Reports from the German media reveal that Mercedes-Benz AG is reconsidering its coupe-SUV lineup. Both the GLE Coupe and the lesser GLC Coupe will either be discontinued or consolidated into a single model to streamline the automaker's lineup. With BMW killing the X4, it's not clear what the future holds for the three-pointed star's coupe utility vehicles.
On the other hand, Mercedes could easily pull off a CLE Coupe with said models, for the CLE Coupe replaced both the C-Class Coupe and E-Class Coupe. Back in 2023, the GLE and its coupe-ish brother accounted for 57,696 deliveries in the United States market, with MBUSA moving a total of 351,746 passenger vehicles last year. From January 2024 through September 2024, the GLE twins racked up 46,150 deliveries, improving 7 percent from the first three quarters of the previous year.
While said number may be healthy, bear in mind that BMW sold 46,025 units of the X5 and 5,694 of the X6 from January 2024 through September 2024. The Munich-based automaker is also due to launch a new X5 in 2026 for the 2027 model year, explaining the need for a second facelift for the GLE.
Now available to configure for model year 2025, the Mercedes-Benz GLE starts at $61,850 for the four-cylinder GLE 350 SUV. The six-pot Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ SUV and V8-powered 63 retail at 89,200 and 130,800 dollars, respectively.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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