2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE53 Edition R announced for Australia

The Mercedes-Benz GLE53 Edition R large performance SUV has been confirmed as the latest Edition R variant from the German brand, joining similar versions of the mid-size C43 sedan and GLC 43 SUV in Australian showrooms.

The warmed-up version of the seven-seat GLE – sitting below only the flagship GLE 63 AMG – is priced from $184,000 before on-road costs, while the five-seat GLE Coupe Edition R is priced at $188,100 plus on-roads.

That compares $179,900 and $190,900 before on-road costs for the standard SUV and Coupe versions respectively, both launched in Australia in 2020 as rivals to the BMW X5/X6, Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 large SUVs. 

Both GLE53 R Editions come from the same US factory as regular models and use the same 320kW/560Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine and nine-speed automatic with all-wheel drive.

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The powertrain gives the GLE 53 SUV a 9.3L/100km fuel economy claim – using a mild-hybrid 48-volt electric generator – and a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.3 seconds. 

The Edition R builds on the GLE53’s standard equipment with the AMG Plus Package, which includes AMG Active Ride Control, an AMG high performance braking system and an AMG Performance steering wheel trimmed in nappa leather and microfiber. 

The R Edition also adds inch-bigger AMG 22-inch alloy forged wheels finished in matt black with a ‘high sheen’ rim, the composite performance brakes running red six-piston calipers squeezing 400mm front discs, plus single-piston 320mm rears. 

The interior brings brushed aluminium trim and red seat belts to go with the aforementioned AMG Performance steering wheel. 

The GLE53 Edition R SUV has synthetic leather upholstery with red stitching, while the Coupe has nappa leather.

The GLE SUV is the German brand’s third-most popular SUV in Australian showrooms, behind the GLC and GLA-Class, with sales up 27.5 per cent year-to-date. 

The GLE Coupe is up year-on-year, too – with a 12.1 per cent boost – but is outsold by the SUV in Australia by a factor of almost 10.

Mercedes-Benz revealed its new-gen electric GLC – which sits below the GLE in terms of size – at the Munich motor show earlier this month, previewing a new design direction for its future SUV lineup. 

German rival BMW also pulled the covers off its new generation of vehicles in Munich, with the new iX3 shown as the first of its ‘Neue Klasse’ models.

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