Mercedes-Benz GLE gets a $12,000 price cut, loses some equipment

The Mercedes-Benz GLE SUV is now $12,000 less expensive in its base guise following a price cut, with some previously standard features now made optional.

Mercedes-Benz will now price the turbo-diesel GLE 300d 4Matic from $134,900 before on-road costs, a $12,000 reduction on its most recent $146,900 figure.

However, there have been adjustments made to its list of standard equipment, which Mercedes-Benz Australia says were based on customer feedback “to provide greater flexibility and options when configuring vehicles”.

Despite the price decrease, the entry-level GLE is still $35,000 dearer than when the current-generation model arrived in local showrooms in 2020 – albeit without the 48-volt mild-hybrid technology which joined the lineup this year.

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Changes include the move to Artico synthetic leather upholstery in place of true leather, which is available to order in black for $2900, and $3300 for macchiato beige/black or bahia brown/black.

The GLE 300d’s 21-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke wheels have also become a $2300 option, with a black set of 20-inch alloys in their place. Buyers can still upgrade to a set of 22-inch wheels for an extra $3900.

Finally the illuminated aluminium-look running boards have been moved to the options list, now priced from $1300.

With the previously standard options fitted, the GLE 300d’s price is still $6500 less than prior to the latest equipment adjustment.

The GLE 300d is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, producing 198kW of power and 550Nm of torque.

Drive is sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. It consumes 6.6L/100km, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system providing assistance.

The traditional SUV-shaped GLE is one of Mercedes-Benz’s best-sellers in Australia, behind only the smaller GLC and GLA, as well as the A-Class and C-Class.

However, sales of the GLE SUV are down 45.7 per cent between January and September, while Mercedes-Benz deliveries on the whole are down by 19 per cent.

MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLE