The updated Mercedes GLE features many, many stars

The current generation GLE arrived way back in 2018 and was first facelifted in early 2023, but Mercedes has now seen fit to update it again with many stars and massive screens. Bringing it in line with the rest of the range, then.

As you can see from the images above, there are new bumpers, LEDs and grilles for the myriad different versions and trim levels, and Merc says that those starry headlights feature something called ‘dynamic high beam ULTRA RANGE’ that can light up six football pitches end-to-end. Useful if you accidentally stray onto Hackney Marshes at night.

The BMW X6-rivalling GLE Coupe also lives to fight another day, and on the inside of all GLEs we’re told to expect new trim elements, an AI-powered operating system and a standard MBUX Superscreen setup with a passenger display. For the uninitiated, that means three separate 12.3in displays sit below a single glass panel across the dash. And if that’s not enough, there’s also the option of an augmented reality head-up display for the first time. A massive panoramic roof is also standard fit, and a new steering wheel brings back some physical switches. Hurrah!

The updates aren’t just surface level either, because the GLE is also getting a new flat-plane crank V8. Wait, what?

We’re not joking. And it’s not even in the AMG version. The GLE 580 4MATIC (which we almost definitely won’t get in the UK, by the way) is powered by a revised 4.0-litre V8 that has been prepared for ‘future emission standards’ and makes 530bhp.

Sadly, there’s no longer any mention of a 63 in AMG’s own GLE release, so it looks like the sporty versions will now be the 53 4MATIC+ and the 53 HYBRID 4MATIC+. Both use an updated version of Merc’s 3.0-litre turbo straight-six, but the former is a mild hybrid and makes 466bhp, while the latter is a plug-in hybrid setup with a total output of 624bhp. That’s up almost 100bhp on the previous 53 PHEV, by the way.

The more sensible powertrains are all six-cylinders in Europe, with the range kicking off with the 350d and 450d diesels. Both are mild hybrids, and you’re looking at 282bhp/479lb ft or 362bhp/553lb ft.

The petrol-powered 450 now gets 12 per cent more torque to go with its 376bhp, and you can also have it as a plug-in hybrid 450e with 66 miles of all-electric range. All GLEs are all-wheel drive, and we’re told there’s extra insulation for better refinement. There’s also the option of a standard suspension setup, air suspension or Merc’s fancy ‘E-Active Body Control’ that anticipates bumps in the road and adjusts the damping before impact.

In total, Merc reckons there are 3,000 new or revised components for this second facelift, but is it enough to keep the GLE competitive?