2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE/GLS Improved in Every WayMark VaughnMercedes-Benz invented the automobile 140 years ago and hasn't let us forget it since. But more importantly to today's market demands, it was just 30 years ago that Mercedes introduced the M-Class, a vehicle that was exactly what the American luxury market wanted then, and what the American luxury market still wants today.Without getting too Old Testament on you, that 1997 M-Class begat today's GLE-Class, while the larger GL-Class, introduced in 2006, begat the very GLS that you see parked above on a windswept overlook in Colorado. Cue the screeching eagles.Now in showrooms as you read this, Mercedes has just launched the newest and best versions of its iconic mid- and full-sized SUVs, and we in America will no doubt continue to eat them up. Or at least buy as many as Tuscaloosa can crank out. Last year that was over 63,000 GLEs at retail prices from $70,000 to just under $100,000; while the top-of-the-line GLS luxury cruiser sold just over 22,000 SUVs in the same year for between $94,000 and about $122,000.If you consider the Lexus RX a competitor to the GLE, then the GLE was second in its class in terms of sales. But if you throw out the RX, then Mercedes ruled the roost in 2025.2027 GLE gets a new front end and a grille that lights up.Mercedes-Benz AG – Communications & MarketingThe GLS, meanwhile, trailed the BMW X7 and Cadillac Escalade with just 22,035 sales in 2025, which was still highly profitable.So they're both solid, moneymaking performers in their classes. For 2027, Benz took that and improved each model in just about every department when it came time for a freshening. Both are solidly all-improved.The 2027 model years for both GLE and GLS amount to the second facelift for each. They both ride on the same architecture and that hasn't changed, but Mercedes says both models are 40 percent new. The GLE, for one, is supposed to have 3,000 new parts on it for '27.Will you notice? Chances are you will, especially in reduced noise, increased engine output, and general all-around smoothness.Both GLE and GLS get new head- and taillights with the Mercedes star logo on them, and both get so many of those little star logos front and rear that no one at Mercedes was able to say just how many there were. One source said 140. The big Mercedes three-pointed star logo in the middle of the grille also lights up, but that's an optional feature, well worth it to make an entrance at the club.GLE 450 interior.Mercedes-Benz AG – Communications & MarketingMost body panels are unchanged since 2020. The basic shape of the GLE-Class is either two-box SUV or slightly sleeker Coupe fastback. The GLS-Class comes in just one big SUV shape.Inside, the new dash offers "a range of ambient styles (that) transform the MBUX Superscreen into a living canvas of light, color and emotion." If you're not feeling emotional, you can turn it off. Interior surfaces include your choice of MB-Tex, leather, and AMG Line Nappa leather. The steering wheel now has a rocker switch for the Distronic active cruise control and a roller switch for volume control. So, rock and roll.The latest MBUX Virtual Assistant now integrates artificial intelligence (AI) from Microsoft, Google, and ChatGPT. (It still thinks you're saying, "Hey, Mercedes" far more times than you actually are, though.) It's part of Mercedes' newest Superscreen display, standard on both GLE and GLS, which incorporates three separate 12.3-inch screens across an A-pillar-to-A-pillar megascreen. Compare this to the little cell phone-sized screen in the Jag Type 01 or the Slate pickup truck and decide which you prefer. We may have attained "peak screen."2027 Mercedes GLS 450 straight-six.Mercedes-Benz AG – Communications & MarketingUnder the hoods is a good range of powertrain choices, starting with the reliable 2.0 turbo four-cylinder in the GLE 350, which gets a new electric compressor to eliminate any lag while the turbo spools up. That makes 255 hp and 295 lb-ft. Unfortunately, I didn't ge to drive that one. And gone is the old rear-drive-only GLE 350, sadly.Step up to the GLE 450 4Matic and you get 375 hp and 413 lb-ft from a 3.0-liter straight-six. The GLE 500e plug-in hybrid adds an electric motor to that straight-six to peak at 429 hp and 502 lb-ft. That's a 74-hp increase over the previous model. The 500e's plug-in hybrid component utilizes a 25.3-kWh battery, but how far you can go on that was not listed as of press time. I got to drive a 500e around the mountains of Colorado, and this might be the engine of choice in the vehicle of choice. There was no hesitation, no lag, and the peak power moved the 500e to 60 in just 5.3 seconds, according to Mercedes. You might go quicker.Mercedes GLS and GLE are hard to tell apartMercedes-Benz AG – Communications & MarketingBut to get the ultimate output, sound, and maybe even torque curve, you'll want the new 4.0-liter twin-turbo M177 Evo V8 powering both the GLE 580 and GLS 580. Mercedes thoroughly reworked this engine, going so far as to switch it from a cross-plane to a flat-plane crank. Such a firing order typically allows an engine to rev much faster and reach a higher redline. But Mercedes didn't want its powerplant to sound and feel like a race car, so it toned it down with counterweighted balance shafts and unique new timing on the exhaust camshafts. This meant improved efficiency and reduced emissions, with the reduced emissions likely being the whole point, as other countries require ever-cleaner exhausts.The engine also gives the highest output in the GLE/GLS lineup, at 530 hp and 553 lb-ft. But that's still only 20 more hp and 15 more lb-ft, so it looks increasingly like the changes were made for emissions. Regardless of the impetus to make the changes, the resulting engine is quite smooth from behind the wheel in most driving situations, until it comes alive at full throttle, which I tried numerous times, scaring the bejeezuz out of cattle across the Centennial State.2027 Mercedes GLS interior with wide MBUX Superscreen.Mercedes-Benz AG – Communications & MarketingAll GLE and GLS powertrains incorporate Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel drive. That's interesting because they also have large wheels and low-profile tires of the kind you wouldn't want to take off-road, ever. In fact, when asked if they even offered a smaller wheel and A/T tire combination, Benz execs said they didn't know. Which I gotta think means, "No." So while you'll get to work on a snowy day, you can't do much more than flat dirt roads when it comes to off-roading, even with mandatory 4Matic.Both GLE and GLS have your choice of three suspension setups. The GLE starts on steel springs and adaptive dampers, and you can move up to air spring and thence active air suspension when choosing your SUV. I drove a couple setups with Mercedes E-Active Body Control active suspension system and found they worked best on straight highways and maybe on longer curves. Approach anything where the curves tighten up such as a really nice mountain road, and it feels less at home.Prices start at $69,850 for the GLE 350 4Matic and go up from there. The GLE 450 SUV is $76,250 for the SUV body style and $82,750 for the Coupe. The GLE 500e PHEV is $82,450, GLE 580 SUV starts at $97,750. Move up to the GLS and prices range from $95,500 for the GLS 450 and $122,500 for the GLS 580.They're on-sale now.