Mercedes-Benz has taken wraps off the GLE and GLS facelifts

Mercedes-Benz has taken wraps off of the GLS facelift and the GLE facelift. Both cars get revised styling on the outside and inside, along with updated powertrains. It takes styling cues from the newly launched Mercedes-Benz S-Class with the star motifs and larger illuminated grilles. The Mercedes-Benz GLE rivals the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, BMW X5 and the Audi Q8 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS rivals the Audi Q7, BMW X7 and the Land Rover Range Rover.

Mercedes-Benz GLS and GLE design

On the front the Mercedes-Benz GLS now gets a larger grille which is surrounded by contour lighting and an illuminated star. The new headlights feature four star motif DRLs, two in each light along with Mercedes-Benz’s latest digital light generation fitted as standard on all models. The new lights produce a 40 per cent larger field of light while driving. The update also includes a redesigned front bumper. Moving to the rear, there are new tail-lights which have six star motif lamps which make it instantly recognisable. There is also a black panel that stretches across the tailgate and connects the tail-lamps. There are two new 21-inch alloy wheel design options that come with the update.

With the GLS, the GLE has also been facelifted and it too gets new headlights with the star motifs horizontally stacked. The headlights which get the latest digital light generation come with refined blue ambient light which appear beneath the star motifs when activated. The headlights now seem connected because of a larger grille with the Mercedes-Benz star pattern that gets contour lighting and an illuminated central logo. On the rear there are new light housings that feature a pair of two three-dimensional star motifs making them recognisable from afar. There are new 20-inch alloy wheels that compliment the design cues from the side.

Mercedes-Benz GLS and GLE interior

Both the Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS now get the Superscreen as standard on all models. The Superscreen has three 12.3-inch displays, including one for the passenger which stretches from one end to the other of the dashboard. The AC vent design has also been changed – side vents are now circular and central vents are in an oval shape. The cars now get the latest version of the MB.UX software with connected car technology, with more than 40 apps covering audio, video and gaming services. There is also a panoramic roof which comes as standard on both the cars. The standard comfort seats come with 3D design graphics and after customer feedback the lumbar support is now electric and standard across all variants of both the cars. There is a new ‘Beech Brown’ interior colour which is combined with black trims expanding the choice of customisation for its customers.

Mercedes-Benz also offers an optional 15-speaker 710-watt Burmester 3D surround sound system with Dolby Atmos which has two 3D speakers integrated in the roof. The Mercedes-Benz GLS comes with two 11.6-inch rear-entertainment HD screens which can stream audio and video for the rear passengers. The front two seats get the massage functions and there is an optional Rear Comfort Package Plus which adds rear multi‑contour seats with the Pro massage function, removable MBUX remote controls, automatic climate control, and electric sun blinds in both doors.

Mercedes-Benz GLS and GLE engine and ride

Both the Mercedes-Benz GLS and GLE get updated and revised powertrains with integrated starter generators. The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC with the six-cylinder petrol engine now gets 560Nm which is a bump from the 500Nm in the previous models. All the models including the 350d 4MATIC and 450d 4MATIC diesel engines now come with a 48-volt electric system that allows for coasting, boost along with increased efficiency.

The inline-six petrol engine in the GLE 450 4MATIC now gains 60Nm in torque output that makes the total output to 560Nm from 500Nm in the previous models. For the first time all the models including the GLE 350d and 450d get an integrated starter generator which has a 48-volt electric system which helps in better fuel efficiency and smoother power delivery.

Both the cars get Mercedes-Benz’s new ‘Cloud base’ damper control for better driving and plusher ride along with E-Active Body Control that scans the road ahead with the help of cameras and radars 1000 times per second to adapt to the driving situation.

Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS rivals

The current Mercedes-Benz GLS is priced between ₹1.27 crore to ₹1.39 crore (ex-showroom) and the Mercedes-Benz GLE is priced between ₹98 lakhs to ₹1.14 crore (ex-showroom).

The Mercedes-Benz GLS competes with the likes of BMW X7 starting at ₹1.28 crore, Land Rover Range Rover starting at ₹ 2.34 crore and the Audi Q7 starting at ₹86.29 lakh. The Mercedes-Benz GLE competes with the BMW X5 starting at ₹95.40 lakhs, Land Rover Range Rover Sport starting at ₹1.39 crore and the Audi Q8 starting at ₹1.13 crore. All prices mentioned above are ex-showroom.