Here’s the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE, fresh from the factory. The family SUV from the 3-pointed star has been given an update for 2023. Here’s what’s new.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE is Stuttgart’s offering to the luxury SUV segment. High-end customers are spoilt for choice here, with superb offerings like the BMW X5, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg and so on. Interestingly, most models in this segment are due for a facelift, but its the GLE which sees the light of day first.

So, what’s new? Well at first glance, it doesn’t look like a radical visual overhaul, but upon closer inspection, you’ll spot the new-look grille that has a segmented look, there are new headlights and daytime running lights and there are revisions to the rear bumper.

Inside, it is much the same as before, but there is a brand-new steering wheel that has the touch sensors on the spokes, which allow customers to control infotainment and dashboard settings. Mercedes-Benz says customers can add in chrome and piano black trim, which was previously reserved for the Maybach products. The second generation of MBUX makes its debut in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE.

What’s actually changed then? The bigger and more significant changes can be found under the skin, with hybridisation across the range, and the 53 AMG derivatives get a small increase in torque. There’s also a brand-new plug-in hybrid model.

New plug-in hybrid model

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e 4Matic introduces an electric motor to a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine, and together there’s 284 kW and 650 Nm. A 0-100 sprint time of just 5.8 seconds is claimed, but of far more interest is large battery size of 23.3 kWh. Mercedes-Benz says its new GLE 400e can run on electric power alone, but an official range was not quoted.

Every model in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE features a 48-volt mild-hybrid system as standard. For the performance fanatics, the GLE 53 and 63 S feature the same subtle visual upgrades, but under the skin there’s a larger turbocharger and revised ECU, which sees a jump in the torque figure.

Outputs of 320 kW and 560 Nm are on tap and the GLE 53 will sprint to 100 kph in a claimed 5 seconds dead, which is 3 tenths quicker than before. The GLE 63 S retains its 4.0litre biturbo V8 with 450 kW and 850 Nm. All AMG derivatives receive more standard equipment and features than before.

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2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coming to South Africa

We understand the 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE has been confirmed for South Africa and will be launched either in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of this year.