Mercedes brings GLE 450 e PHEV SUV and Coupe to Australia

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed the GLE 450 e 4Matic plug-in hybrid will join the local line-up in SUV and Coupe forms, marking the GLE range's first PHEV addition in the market. The announcement was published 15 Oct 2026 and reported by Aurel Niculescu.

The GLE 450 e pairs a 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine with a 135 kW (181 hp) PSM electric motor, producing a combined 320 kW and 680 Nm, which the company lists as 429 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. Drive is routed through standard all-wheel drive and the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.

Under the floor sits a 25.7 kWh usable high-voltage battery. Mercedes quotes WLTP-tested electric ranges of 87 km for the SUV and 91 km for the Coupe, equivalent to about 54 and 57 miles respectively. The car can travel on electric power at speeds up to 140 kph or 87 mph, allowing many shorter trips and some freeway stretches to be completed without activating the petrol engine.

The GLE 450 e benefits from the model family's recent mid-cycle refresh and arrives with specification tailored to the local market. The SUV wears standard 20-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels while the Coupe gets 21-inch AMG five-twin-spoke rims. AMG Line exterior styling and the Night Package are included as standard equipment on both body styles.

Inside, the PHEV receives heated front seats trimmed in Artico man-made leather, and an AMG Line Sport Seats Package upholstered in Artico with Microcut microfiber inserts in black. The cabin features the MBUX Superscreen, a single glass surface housing three 12.3-inch displays, and the Mercedes-Benz Operating System MB.OS with over-the-air updates.

Mercedes-Benz Australia lists manufacturer recommended local prices at AU$156,900 (MRLP) for the GLE 450 e SUV and AU$160,900 (MRLP) for the Coupe.