Mercedes-Benz GLE 300d Night Edition gets a cushier ride and a darker look

Mercedes-Benz has given its second-best selling vehicle in Australia a special edition, which brings with it a meaner look and a more comfortable ride.

The Mercedes-Benz GLE received a mid-life update for 2024, bringing with it a small power boost from 48V mild-hybrid technology and fresh looks… but with a $25,000 increase to its base price.

The new GLE 300d Night Edition brings the base price down, at least a bit, to $139,900 before on-road costs.

It costs $5000 less than the standard GLE 300d, but is still $40,000 dearer than when the current-generation model arrived in 2020.

Mercedes-Benz says only a limited number of Night Editions will come here.

Despite costing less than the standard GLE 300d, the Night Edition gets the GLE 300d’s optional ‘Airmatic’ air suspension as standard, which allows for adjustable damping for rebound and compression to improve ride quality.

There are also black 22-inch AMG alloy wheels, but a black finish for parts like the exterior mirror housings and window trim.

As with the standard GLE 300d 4Matic, power in the Night Edition comes from a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 198kW of power and 550Nm of torque.

It’s mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive as standard, and has a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.9 seconds and combined cycle fuel economy of 6.6L/100km.

Like the regular GLE 300d it has LED headlights with adaptive high-beam, power-folding side mirrors, power tailgate, and Mercedes-Benz puddle lights.

The AMG Line exterior package is also included, which brings aluminium-look illuminated running boards with rubber studs.

Inside, the Night Edition comes standard with the following equipment:

• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• MBUX augmented reality
• 13-speaker 590W Burmester sound system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite navigation
• Wireless phone charger
• Head-up display
• Auto-dimming rear view mirror
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory
• Heated front seats with four-way lumbar support
• Rear USB-C charging ports
• Ambient lighting
• Dual-zone climate control
• Heat-insulating rear window tint
• Black synthetic leather upholstery
• Wood trim elements
• Keyless entry and start

Standard safety equipment includes:

• 360-degree camera
• Semi-autonomous parking assist
• Transparent bonnet function
• Active distance assist with stop/go function
• Traffic sign recognition
• Active traffic assist
• Exit warning assist
• Cross-traffic assist
• Lane-change assist

MORE: Buy a Mercedes-Benz GLE MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLE