2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 PHEV: 45 Miles of Electric Range and 577 HP
The GLE53 PHEV pairs 577 hp with an estimated 45-mile electric range, blending quick acceleration and a plush ride with substantial weight.
The 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE53 PHEV makes a stronger case for plug-in performance than some of AMG’s smaller hybrids. It adds electric power to the characterful turbocharged inline-six, reaching 577 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque while retaining an estimated 45 miles of electric range. The trade-offs are substantial mass, a price near six figures and a cabin with familiar GLE shortcomings.
Mercedes refreshed the GLE for 2027, and the updates to the broader model line also apply here. The GLE53 plug-in hybrid comes as an SUV or a sloping-roof Coupe. Prices, including destination, start at $98,400 for the SUV and $99,450 for the Coupe. Both use an AMG-enhanced M256M Evo 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, paired with a 181-hp electric motor and a 25.3-kWh nickel manganese cobalt battery.
Electric range meets AMG output
The plug-in system adds 148 horsepower and 140 lb-ft over the previous GLE53, according to the review, bringing combined output to 577 hp and 553 lb-ft. That leaves it close to the V8-powered GLE63 S’s 603 hp. Mercedes quotes a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.1 seconds, 0.8 second quicker than last year’s figure despite the added battery mass.
That mass is hard to ignore: the SUV weighs 6,107 pounds, an increase of 827 pounds, while the Coupe comes in at 6,063 pounds. The EPA has rated the GLE53’s electric range at 45 miles. During the Colorado drive, the nearly charged test car displayed 50 miles of electric range, which the reviewer found broadly accurate. Electric driving is available at speeds up to 87 mph.
Charging uses a CCS port. Mercedes offers 60-kW DC fast charging, with a claimed 10-to-80% charge time of around 20 minutes. The article reports no verified EPA fuel economy figures yet. On a spirited mountain-road drive, the reviewer averaged 30 mpg, suggesting the official figures may improve on the outgoing GLE53’s 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway ratings. That’s a useful early impression, though it isn’t a substitute for the final ratings or a longer ownership picture.
A more engaging hybrid than the GLE500e
The GLE53’s powertrain gives the plug-in system a livelier character than the one in the GLE500e. In the reviewer’s assessment, electric assistance adds punch without masking the six-cylinder engine’s appeal. Hybrid operation felt consistent, and the transition between electric and combustion power wasn’t conspicuous from behind the wheel.
Comfort mode keeps the AMG Ride Control+ air suspension notably plush, even on the test car’s 22-inch wheels. The ride felt close to that of a standard GLE in the same setting. Sport and Sport+ firm the suspension and bring out a sharper, more energetic response from the inline-six. Inside, simulated engine sound lends the six a deeper, V8-like note; outside, the engine has the smoother sound of a straight-six, with subtle pops and burbles.
Drive settings include Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Trail and Individual, plus Electric and Battery Hold functions. The car starts in Electric mode by default, a choice the reviewer found inconvenient, but the steering-wheel drive-mode dial makes it easy to select a hybrid-friendly setting. That combination of a quiet electric commute and a more responsive road mode is central to the GLE53’s appeal.
Quick, but the extra weight shows
On winding Colorado roads, the GLE53 felt eager and capable, with well-weighted steering and useful feedback. Yet the battery’s weight was noticeable in tighter corners. The optional Multicontour seats also drew criticism: they didn’t sit low enough or provide enough lateral support, even at their highest bolster setting. Those details matter in a vehicle marketed with AMG’s performance credentials.
The GLE53 is the first GLE offered with launch control. To activate it, select Sport+, hold the brake and press the accelerator; the seatbelts tighten to signal that the car is ready. The initial acceleration is forceful, with the electric motor likely contributing, but the burst fades as speed builds. The reviewer enjoyed the launch, while finding that it promised a more dramatic sustained surge than the car delivered.
For comparison, the V8-powered GLE580 felt more composed to the reviewer and was estimated to be only 0.1 second slower to 60 mph. It also weighed 584 pounds less than the GLE53 Coupe. The GLE53 brings a more aggressive character, but the standard model’s pace and balance make the plug-in AMG’s added weight and cost harder to justify on driving ability alone.
Performance gains, familiar GLE compromises
The refreshed cabin’s Superscreen places three compact displays behind broad black-glass surrounds. The reviewer also found vinyl sun visors, plastic lower door panels and limited convenient storage up front. Those concerns carry over from other GLE versions and temper the sense of occasion inside a vehicle that starts close to $100,000.
The GLE53 PHEV makes the most sense for buyers who want a more assertive GLE, substantial electric-only range and performance close to the GLE63 S, while stopping short of that model’s V8. Its 577 hp and 4.1-second acceleration claim are compelling, and the suspension can deliver a genuinely comfortable ride. The 6,000-pound-plus curb weight and less convincing cornering support are part of the package, though. For drivers who value a more understated feel and sharp road manners, the GLE580 remains a strong alternative; the GLE53’s advantage is its blend of plug-in running and AMG attitude.
