2027 Mercedes‑AMG GLE53 PHEV Gets a Plug‑in Powertrain and a New Badge

Mercedes refreshed its midsize GLE SUV for the 2027 model year, adding a plug‑in hybrid badge to the AMG‑tuned GLE53. The new powertrain keeps the 3.0‑liter inline‑6 but adds a 181‑horsepower electric motor and a 25.3‑kWh nickel‑manganese‑cobalt battery, giving a combined 577‑horsepower output. Prices start at $98,400 for the SUV and $99,450 for the coupe, both including destination.

Adding 148 more horsepower and 140 more lb‑ft of torque over the previous GLE53 lifts its total to 577 hp and 553 lb‑ft. The 0‑to‑60 time drops to 4.1 seconds, 0.8 seconds faster than last year, even though the plug‑in weighs 6,107 pounds. The coupe version is 44 pounds lighter at 6,063 pounds, helping keep its agile feel.

EPA estimates give the GLE53 a usable all‑electric range of about 45 miles, and the test car achieved roughly 50 miles before the battery dipped. It can sustain 87 mph in electric mode and charges from 10 % to 80 % in about 20 minutes with a 60‑kW DC fast charger, using the CCS port. A spirited drive in Colorado averaged 30 mpg, a marked improvement over the previous model’s 18 city and 23 highway figures. In Comfort mode the AMG Ride Control+ air suspension delivers a plush ride, while Sport or Sport+ firm the chassis for sharper handling. Inside, the cabin noise of the turbo‑charged six mimics a deep V8, though it carries subtle pops and burbles. The optional Multicontour seats lack enough lateral support, and launch control—triggered by Sport+—offers a brief electric burst but loses power quickly at higher speeds.