2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Goes on a Diet

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV Updates

The GLE badge may only be one year old, but the essence of the SUV stretches back to the M-Class and beyond. This is why it is of no surprise that it will be getting some updates as soon as 2018. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV updates are subtle, but after only two years of production, this is still an impressive undertaking.

New Grille

The most obvious change from the 2016-2017 model to the 2018 is the front end. The prototype shown in the video below shows a smaller grille, shaped more like two squares instead of the elongated oval-like shape of the current GLE. Because it is still under camouflage tape, it may not be final or much of it could still be hidden, but from the pictures we have seen so far, it looks more like a BMW than anything else.

Weight Reduction

With the infestation of electric cars slowly taking over the world, cars like the 2018 GLE are still fighting in the trenches in defense of the combustion engine. To help improve fuel economy, it is rumored that Mercedes-Benz will be lowering the curb weight of the 2018 GLE. Currently it weighs a minimum of 4,652 pounds, which is a little on the heavy side for a CUV of this size. This extra weight, however, is compensated with performance. By making the GLE lighter, it will have two advantages instead of one!

The official 2018 GLE will not likely be unveiled to the public until the end of 2017. It is still a new design after all and there are likely many more updates to be made before it hits the showroom floor. Why do you think Mercedes-Benz is changing the look of the GLE so soon? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Have you seen the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE yet? Check it out here!