Just a few years have passed since the GLE first hit the scene, but Merc isn’t waiting around to usher in a new generation for the 2019 model year. Bringing revamped, off-roader-inspired styling, a new interior design, a vast array of tech-heavy features, an updated engine line, and a new 48-volt mild hybrid system, the latest GLE is locked and loaded to take on the mid-size luxury SUV segment, with rivals like the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 set squarely in the brand’s crosshairs.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE

Specifications
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Pros
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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Exterior Styling

- New styling looks more “SUV-like” - Chrome trim bits everywhere - Intelligent LED lighting system - Wheels sized between 19 and 22 inches - Three inches added to the wheelbase - More aerodynamic for enhanced mpg

Granted, the latest model doesn’t present a huge break from its predecessor, but there are a few updates worth pointing out.

With this fresh generation, Mercedes seeks to give the GLE additional “SUV-ness,” or rather a more robust and rugged look overall. It all starts in front, where the GLE’s grille is updated with a new upright shape for the central intake, with additional bends creating an octagonal shape. Chrome plating is prominent throughout, including lower in the fascia where the faux underguard section is outlined by the shiny stuff. Chrome can also be found closer to the hood and elsewhere on the body as well.

The headlight housings were also reshaped for 2020, and now use a shape that’s more horizontal than before, rather than the previous model’s drawn-back housings.

Moving around to the sides of the machine, the latest GLE brings fewer design updates, but they’re still there if you look more closely. For example, you still get short overhangs, large wheels, and a particularly wide C-pillar, but the side character lines are almost entirely gone, while the lower black cladding is far more prominent, stretching from the nose to the rear and up and over the fenders. The large wheel designs range between 19 and 22 inches in diameter.

Up top is a standard set of shiny roof rails, below which are chrome window surrounds. Further towards the ground, buyers have the option to get Illuminated Running Boards. Meanwhile, the sideview also reveals the GLE’s extended wheelbase, which adds more than 3 inches to the previous model’s measurements, enhancing the SUV’s interior room considerably.

Viewed from the rear, the first thing to jump out are the new taillights, which get a slimmer shape that stretches between the rear fenders and into the hatch. The graphical elements are new as well, while the rear reflectors are lower on the body than before. The overall effect is a greater emphasis on the car’s visual width and stance, all of which is complemented by additional chrome elements for the faux underguard, which helps to bookend the vehicle as well.

While it’s important to make each successive generation stand apart from the last in terms of visual impact, Mercedes says the GLE’s new design also “sets a new standard for aerodynamics in the SUV segment.”

Indeed, Mercedes says it spent some time making the GLE more aerodynamic, no doubt in a bid to increase average fuel economy numbers.

To accomplish this, Mercedes employed techniques like computer aided design and other digital tools to refine and hone the GLE’s shape. Interestingly, Mercedes also put the GLE inside a wind tunnel. It’s not often a brand is willing to spend the time and money testing an SUV in a wind tunnel, but considering just how important average fuel economy is these days, we’re not all that surprised.

Aero-optimized elements include updates to the air control system mounted behind the radiator grille, plus a new set of wheel spoilers, new aero-efficient wheel designs, optimized tires, new side spoilers, a new D-pillar seal on the tailgate, spoiler lips on the taillights, updated underbody cladding and paneling, and a new rear diffuser.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Interior Design

- Updated interior design as well - Horizontal elements enhance visual width - Fewer hard buttons, more digital screen space - Standard sport steering wheel - Lots of extra rear passenger room - Optional third-row seating - Latest semi-autonomous assists - 12.3-inch displays - Customizability for all passengers - Gesture control

In addition to the new exterior stuff, the 2020 GLE also brings a totally revamped interior design, taking cues from both Mercedes’ SUV line and its sedan line to create something that’s simultaneously sporty, practical, and luxurious.

The dashboard design in particular gets a variety of new elements and features.

The center console is minimized to a single polished strip, while most of the hard buttons take a back seat to digital screen control. Running along the spine is a wide center console, with grab handles added up front, a feature which Mercedes describes as “typical” for an off-roader type of vehicle.

To help you operate the various features, the GLE offers haptic feedback for the controls, plus audio feedback as well. The hard buttons that do remain are mostly high-end metal switchgear. Driver’s will enjoy the new sport steering wheel as well, which gets a flat bottom, three spokes, and extra thumb-length controls to boot.

More important is the overall passenger space, which now gets a considerable boost thanks to the GLE’s longer wheelbase. Rear headroom is also up, with the standard fixed rear seats offering as much as 40.4 inches, a 1.3-inch increase compared to the previous model. The A-pillars are also more “up right” than before, which helps with entry comfort and first-row spaciousness as well.

Passengers camped out on the second row will enjoy the full electric adjustability, with as many as six different adjustments offered to maximize comfort. For example, the right-hand and left-hand seats can move forward and backward by about 4 inches, while the backrests are foldable and can be angled as desired. The head restraint height is adjustable too.

Passengers can make adjustments by using a panel switch located on the door. Alternatively, if you’re in back trying to load in some gear, there’s also a switch in the luggage compartment that’ll move it around as needed. What’s more, you can lower the rear hatch by 1.6 inches at the touch of a button, which also helps to ease loading and unloading gear. The 40:20:40 rear bench seat split offers some flexibility as well.

Interestingly, Mercedes is offering third-row seating “on request.” Go for this option, and you’ll get another two seats to the rear, bringing the total up to five (two up front, three in the second row).

On the tech front, the GLE’s various driver assists are all the latest and greatest that the brand can muster.

Most notably, the GLE comes with Active Stop-and-Go Assist, which can recognize traffic jams thanks to its onboard sensors and realtime monitoring of traffic info. If a jam is detected, the onboard systems will take appropriate action, slowing down the cruise control and preparing to stop as needed.

There’s also Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Assist. “If there is a risk of collision when turning across the path of oncoming vehicles, the vehicle will be braked when traveling at low speeds,” Mercedes explains.

Extras include Active Distance Assist Distronic with integrated lane-keeping assist, Active Steering Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Exit Warning Assist. What’s more, Mercedes explains that each of these systems isn’t operated isolation, but communicate amongst one another to offer a more wholistic approach to safety and convenience for the driver.

When it comes to comfort, there’s active seat kinetics for front-seated passengers, with features like electric adjustment and a memory function, as well as “minute movements of the seat cushion and backrest” for extra backside support when its needed most. There’s also automatic driver’s seat adjustment based on your body size.

You can even connect the Energizing Comfort system with a Garmin wearable device to let it identify things like stress levels and quality of sleep, and thus more accurately determine the right comfort profile to cater to your needs.

The artificial intelligence functions don’t stop there - indeed, the onboard systems have plenty to learn about you to more perfectly serve your needs. “For instance,” Merc explains, “anyone who often phones their mother on Tuesdays during their commute home will receive her contact as a suggestion in the display on this day of the week on their way home.”

Augmented reality also comes into play for the nav system, with stuff like directional arrows and house numbers laid out onto the multimedia display image. Advanced Voice Control is on hand (so to speak) to keep your attention on the road, with activation achieved by uttering the phrase “Hey Mercedes.”

Running it all is Mercedes’ latest infotainment gear, which now includes a new menu control design scheme as well.

The screens provide a good deal of flexibility, defaulting as an Instrument Cluster Display and multimedia display. There are four unique display styles in total, and include Classic, Sport turbine, Progressive, and Understated.

Complementing the horizontal screens is a full-color heads-up display, which offers resolution set at 720 by 240 pixels. Offered as an available option, the heads-up display projects relevant information onto the windscreen just outside the driver’s field of view. The physical display area is measured at 17.8 inches by 5.9 inches, which is a good deal larger than it was before. In addition to looking pretty cool, the heads-up display is useful for navigation purposes, audio info, phone call info, and more, including off-roader info such as vehicle inclination, torque distribution, acceleration forces, and the like.

Mercedes also tossed in the latest MBUX Interior assistant, which comes with as many as 40 new MBUX functions. For example, there’s a new off-road driving mode offering both free-driving and individual wheel actuation, plus a full-screen map display that extends into the instruments.

Taking a page from the book of BMW, Mercedes saw fit to develop the GLE with its latest gesture control system, which uses an overhead camera to monitor passengers (both those seated in front and in back) for specific hand and arm motions. For example, you can activate the reading lamp by extending your hand towards the rearview mirror. The system is smart, and can even identify which passenger is seated where, adjusting the preferences and specs accordingly.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Drivetrain And Performance

- Two turbocharged engines: 2.0-liter ‘four, 3.0-liter ‘six - Between 255 and 362 horsepower - 48-volt mild hybrid system - 4Matic AWD - Nine-speed automatic transmission - Adaptive suspension bits

While updating the aesthetics and tech are definitely both important factors of the new GLE, Merc also gave it some fresh engine offerings.

Maximum output from this lump comes to 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque,

Up next is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder, which is offered in the GLE 450 4Matic. Standout features include Mercedes’ EQ Boost mild hybrid 48-volt technology, with peak output rated at 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

This engine also comes with an Integrated-Starter Generator, which takes up functions for the EQ Boost system with energy recuperation, pumping up the fuel savings as a result. The Integrated-Starter Generator means the engine doesn’t need a belt drive to juice the ancillary components, which helps make the engine more compact and reduces overall engine wear too. Components like the the A/C compressor and water pump all benefit from the 48-volt system.

Indeed, Mercedes contends that with 4Matic, the GLE can conquer the great outdoors, then comfortably transport you and yours to the mall without a second thought.

This latest iteration of the 4Matic system includes a fully variable torque split, which is a first for the GLE. Look for this feature on six-cylinder models, which also come equipped with an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch that’ll vary the torque split front to back from 0 to 100 percent.

Meanwhile, four-cylinder GLE’s use a traditional transfer case, which gives a 50:50 torque split front to back, plus a braking mechanism that steps in to reduce wheel spin.

All GLE model variants come with a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission.

New for the 2020 model year is the inclusion of Merc’s latest E-Active Body Control system.

Essentially, this is a 48-volt support system for the active suspension bits, something Merc is touting as a “world first.” Only offered on models which come equipped with the mild-hybrid the 48-volt system, E-Active Body Control uses self-adjusting hydropneumatic dampers, also known as Airmatic air suspension in the Mercedes world. The system offers individual control over spring and damping rates at each of the four wheels, and works to minimize body roll, squat, and pitch, making for a more comfortable, controllable ride. For example, the GLE will “lean” into a corner and respond to undulations in the road prior to driving over them.

There are steel suspension bits as well, and Mercedes is offering a new Adaptive Damping System Plus system as well.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Prices

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE will make its grand public showing this coming October at the 2018 Paris Motor Show.

U.S.-bound models will be produced in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, then sold to the U.S. market in 2019.

Official pricing is expected closer to the GLE’s on-sale date, but we expect it to slot in at roughly the same spot as the preceding model, which currently starts $52,200.

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Competition

BMW X5

When it comes to rivals, the Mercedes-Benz GLE’s primary competition comes from Germany, starting with the BMW X5. Recently redesigned for the 2019 model year, the X5 is offered in four trim levels, all of which come standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment display, heads-up display, and a whole lot more on the tech front. Motivation is provided by either a six-cylinder or eight-cylinder powerplant, with as much as 462 horsepower and 479 pound-feet created in the 50i trim. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends the power through a standard xDrive AWD system. Pricing starts at $60,700.

Read our full review on the 2019 BMW X5.

Audi Q7

Audi provides another solid choice in this segment thanks to its popular Q7. The latest Q7 is much less of a pavement pounder than the preceding model, dropping as much as 716 pounds thanks to the inclusion of copious lightweight materials. Inside is an updated cabin, which includes a horizontal layout with strips of trim reaching from door to door. Tons of high-end materials are on hand in here, including Alcantara, aluminum, and wood. Under the hood, the Q7 comes equipped with a variety of four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, with the top-spec going to a 3.0-liter ‘six making 333 horses and 325 pound-feet of torque. If you’re looking for even more power (and happen to live overseas), Audi is also offering a plug-in hybrid model, which combines a 3.0-liter diesel engine with a 94-kWh electric motor to make as much as 373 horsepower and a stout 516 pound-feet of torque.

Read our full review on the 2017 - 2018 Audi Q7.

Final Thoughts

The mid-size luxury SUV segment is as hot as ever, achieving record high sales numbers with astonishing regularity. However, despite the huge demand and popularity, manufacturers must still bring their A-game, as the number of choices in this space is ballooning almost as quickly.

Some of it is a bit gimmicky (for example, the jury is still out on how much the 48-volt mild-hybrid system really helps the GLE’s efficiency), but buyers will no doubt find it attractive all the same. All told, this one is looking like another hit for Mercedes-Benz.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the current 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.

Spy Shots

7-12-2018 - Mercedes-GLE Caught in Parking Lot With Almost No Camo

The pictures you see above were shared on Bimmer Post by user advantage20 and depict the GLE in production-ready form, including the official front bumper with large corner intakes and an almost uncamouflaged rear end. With this in mind, expect the revised GLE to show its face in the very new future.

March 14, 2017 - Mercedes GLE caught testing with new front fascia

September 6, 2016 - Mercedes GLE caught testing once again

July 5, 2016 - First testing session

Exterior Update: 3/14/2017

This time around, the GLE is sporting what could be the production front fascia with a long rectangular vent below the grille and a new air dam down below. The corner air inlets look like they may have been moved farther outside than before, and this mule looks to be sporting a near-production grille minus the big Mercedes emblem in the middle. The emblem will likely be the same size as that of the current model, but the dual slats in the grille may end up being a little bit larger. The other big news up front come in the form of new headlight units. They are partially covered, but we can make out dual LED DRL strips. One runs along the top edge of the headlight lens while the second runs from the upper, outer corner and curves downward in between the two headlight bulbs. It’s a truly unique layout. Padding was also dropped from the hood, which allows us to see the silhouette of a single line on each side of the hood. There are no other changes to the exterior that we can make out, but we do get a look at the interior, so keep scrolling down to learn more about that.

Interior Update: 3/14/2017

We’re getting a first look at the interior of the GLE, and it looks like there’s a lot of change in store compared to the current model. The dash is mostly covered, but it looks like it will sit a little taller than before. The floating infotainment display looks to be replaced by an in-dash unit that will be recessed into the center stack. The vents that were on either side of the infotainment display will be a thing of the past and are replaced by four rectangular units between the infotainment display and the HVAC controls down below. IF the display ahead of the steering wheel is official, then the GLE should be getting or be available with an all-digital instrument cluster. The rim of the steering wheel is a bit thicker, but still has the perforated areas at 3 and 9 o’clock. The hub of the wheel is a bit larger, and the spokes have been redesigned.

More big news comes into play down below with a completely redesigned center console. It not slots up underneath the dash and is no longer connected, giving the dash more of a floating appearance. It will still have that weird, mouse-like controller for the infotainment display, but the center console now gets a set of handles right in the middle. It’s an interesting look, but it almost seems counterintuitive as it could make accessing the controls on the center console a little uncomfortable. The armrest/ storage cubby door now sits almost level with the rest of the center console, which indicates that the seats may now sit a little higher – an adequate change if the dash is, indeed, a bit taller. It’s not much to go on for now, but it’s the first glimpse we’ve seen, and it does tell us that big changes are coming when the revised GLE does finally break cover in late 2017 or early 2018.