Mercedes has a strong presence at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, and one of its main offerings is the GLE-Class SUV. The SUV’s unveiling took place at the Hotel Molitor as part of the German automaker’s “Meet Mercedes” event. More than 400 guests were on-hand to witness the GLE’s world première, becoming the first group of people to see Mercedes’ new luxury SUV in the flesh. As a new model, the GLE is bringing a lot to the SUV table, including a new operating concept, a new engine lineup, and a suite of innovative driver assistance systems. The SUV will hit dealerships in the U.S. and Europe sometime in early 2019. Pricing details will be revealed closer to its launch date.

There was a lot of hype surrounding the Mercedes GLE-Class, and a lot of it was well-deserved. Merck’s mid-sized luxury SUV isn’t a typical new SUV; it’s an important one that’s entering an incredibly competitive segment that’s populated by models like the Audi Q7 and the BMW X5, two of the most established mid-size luxury SUVs in the world. Mercedes knows that there are no cutting corners when it comes to the GLE.

Fortunately, that mindset served the German automaker well. The new GLE-Class is bigger than its predecessor, which is to say that there’s likely more room in the new model compared to its predecessor. Mercedes didn’t dive into the actual numbers, but if new SUV’s interior is more spacious than the current model, we can assume that the new SUV will have more cargo room compared to the existing model. That’d be great news for fans of the GLE because the current model already has more than 38 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. That’s one of the highest numbers in its segment. The new GLE-Class is also more aerodynamic, a characteristic that Mercedes isn’t shy about advertising. The GLE, for example, has best-in-class drag coefficient numbers — 0.29 — compared to its rival SUVs.

The SUV’s front section has an organic look to it, highlighted, in part, by its massive front grille. It also benefits from a stance that exudes purpose and confidence. The GLE-Class knows what it is, and it’s not going to apologize for being what it’s not.

Take a peak inside the SUV’s cabin, and you’ll see a world of pure sophistication. Mercedes’ new MUBX infotainment system is available on the GLE.

In terms of power, the new GLE-Class will have a number of engine options to choose from. At the moment, though, the GLE 4Matic takes center stage. This version of the mid-size luxury SUV is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine and a mild hybrid powertrain that combine to produce a stout 383 horsepower and over 500 pound-feet of torque. Other versions of the GLE, inducing a plug-in hybrid and a turbodiesel, are also available, even though they haven’t been released yet.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE.