A 320kW inline-six PHEV, up to 91km of electric range and a 3.5-tonne tow rating, all for less than the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid.
Mercedes-Benz Australia has put its first plug-in hybrid large SUV on sale. The GLE 450e 4Matic is available now in both SUV and Coupe body styles, joining the smaller GLA and GLC as the brand’s PHEV options in the local SUV range.
Key Takeaways
- Pricing starts at $156,900 for the SUV and $160,900 for the Coupe, before on-road costs.
- Combined output is 320kW and 680Nm, good for 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds.
- Claimed electric range is 87km (SUV) and 91km (Coupe), with a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity when optioned.
Price and Positioning –
The GLE 450e sits above the turbo-diesel GLE 350d, which starts from $142,300 before on-road costs. Like the PHEV, the diesel is imported from the United States. Mercedes says the 450e undercuts the equivalent AMG-tuned GLE 53 by about $31,000 (SUV) and $27,000 (Coupe). Petrol AMG versions of the SUV and Coupe are due early next year.
Against its rivals, the 450e costs slightly more than the outgoing BMW X5 xDrive50e M Sport, which listed at $153,600 plus on-road costs. Pricing for the new-generation X5 PHEV, due in November, has not been announced. The Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid is dearer, from $164,800 as an SUV and $171,400 as a Coupe.
Powertrain and Range –
A 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six (240kW) works with a 135kW electric motor. Combined, they send 320kW and 680Nm to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic. Mercedes claims 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds for both bodies, which is 0.7 seconds slower than the GLE 53 and 0.6 seconds quicker than the diesel.
The 25.7kWh usable battery gives a WLTP electric range of 87km in the SUV and 91km in the Coupe, with electric-only driving possible up to 140km/h. AC charging peaks at 11kW (0-100 per cent in about two hours 45 minutes). A 60kW DC charger is a $1100 option and, unusually for a PHEV, allows a 10-80 per cent charge in about 29 minutes.
Local fuel figures have not been supplied. The US and UK versions claim a combined 3.2L/100km.
Equipment and Options –
Both versions get the AMG Line exterior package and the Night Package as standard. The SUV rides on 20-inch wheels and the Coupe on 21-inch wheels. Inside, you get artificial leather, heated front seats, a head-up display, Burmester surround sound, a 360-degree camera and the MBUX Superscreen, which combines three 12.3-inch displays under one sheet of glass. The Coupe adds AMG Line sports seats with microfibre inserts.
Options:
- Interior Comfort Package: $5600
- Exterior Comfort Package: $2300
- Airmatic air suspension: $3800
- Towbar Package: $3000 (requires Airmatic; unlocks 3500kg braked towing)
- Digital Light: $2800
- 60kW DC charger: $1100
- Aluminium-look running boards: $1300
Sales Context
The GLE took 1325 sales from January to September 2026, or 8.4 per cent of Mercedes-Benz Cars’ 15,832 sales. The BMW X5 sold 2498 in the same period, ahead of the Cayenne (1623) and Lexus RX (1609). The Land Rover Defender led the segment with 3098. PHEV sales across the market are up 124.2 per cent so far this year to September, now 9.3 per cent of new vehicle sales.
How Much and When?
On sale now at Australian dealerships.
The Basics
- Body: large SUV and Coupe, five seats
- Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline six plus electric motor
- Output: 320kW / 680Nm combined
- 0-100km/h: 5.6 seconds
- Battery: 25.7kWh; 87km (SUV) / 91km (Coupe) WLTP
- Charging: 11kW AC; 60kW DC optional
- Braked towing: 3500kg (with Airmatic and towbar)
- Price: from $156,900 (SUV), $160,900 (Coupe), before on-road costs
- Rivals: BMW X5 xDrive50e, Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, Lexus RX
