Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e plug-in hybrid lands in Australia from $156,900 with up to 91km of electric range
Mercedes-Benz Australia has launched the GLE 450e 4MATIC, the first plug-in hybrid version of its large luxury SUV sold locally. It went on sale on 15 October 2026 in both SUV and Coupé body styles, priced from $156,900 before on-road costs.
The new variant joins the updated Mercedes-Benz GLE range alongside the GLE 350 d diesel and the AMG models, and it brings the GLE in line with the smaller GLA and GLC, which already offer plug-in hybrid power.
GLE 450e price in Australia
| Variant | Electric range (WLTP) | Claimed fuel use | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLE 450e 4MATIC SUV | 87km | 3.9L/100km | $156,900 |
| GLE 450e 4MATIC Coupé | 91km | 3.7L/100km | $160,900 |
For context, the GLE 350 d starts at $142,300 and the AMG GLE 53 at $187,900, both before on-road costs. That places the plug-in hybrid roughly $31,000 below the AMG SUV while offering similar outputs.
Powertrain and charging
The GLE 450e pairs a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine with a 135kW electric motor, for combined outputs of 320kW and 680Nm. Drive goes to all four wheels through the 4MATIC system.
A 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery allows electric-only driving at up to 140km/h. The SUV is rated at 87km of WLTP electric range on 20-inch wheels, while the Coupé reaches 91km despite its larger 21-inch wheels. That is enough to cover a typical daily commute without using petrol.
AC charging at up to 11kW is standard. Optional 60kW DC charging costs $1100 and allows a 10 to 80 per cent charge in about 29 minutes.
How it compares
The GLE 450e lines up against other large luxury plug-in hybrid SUVs such as the BMW X5 xDrive50e and the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid. Buyers wanting a smaller and cheaper plug-in Mercedes can look at the Mercedes-Benz GLC.
When can you get one
The GLE 450e SUV and Coupé are available to order now at Mercedes-Benz dealers, with local deliveries expected to start soon. Prices exclude on-road costs, which vary by state.
Our take
The GLE 450e fills an obvious gap in the range. Most owners could run it on electricity during the week and still have six-cylinder flexibility for long weekends, at a price well below the AMG versions.
