Mercedes GLE 450e PHEV Price in Australia: From $156,900

The 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE 450e has landed in Australia, and it changes the maths for anyone shopping a large luxury SUV. This is the first plug-in hybrid GLE offered locally, and it is on sale now in both SUV and Coupe body styles.

The GLE 450e 4MATIC SUV is priced from $156,900 before on-road costs. The Coupe asks $160,900 before on-roads.

That puts the plug-in hybrid $14,600 above the GLE 350d diesel, which sits at $142,300 before on-roads. The real question for buyers is whether that premium pays you back, or whether it is simply the cost of owning the newest powertrain in the range.

The GLE 450e costs more than the diesel, here is what you get

Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine making 240kW, paired with a 135kW electric motor. Combined, Mercedes-Benz quotes 320kW and 680Nm, sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic.

Both body styles claim 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds. That is quicker than the diesel, but very few buyers spend $157,000 on a family SUV for the launch control.

The part that matters is the battery. A 25.7kWh lithium-ion pack gives a claimed WLTP electric-only range of 87km for the SUV and 91km for the Coupe, and the car can run on electric power alone at up to 140km/h.

For a household that commutes a modest distance each day and charges at home, that means much of the week could be done without burning petrol. The six-cylinder is there for the long weekend away.

Charging is where the hidden costs sit

AC charging at 11kW is standard, with a full charge from flat taking about two hours and 45 minutes. That suits an overnight top-up on a home wallbox.

DC fast charging is not standard. It is a $1100 option that allows a 10-80 per cent charge in about 29 minutes at up to 60kW.

Our advice is simple. Decide on DC charging at order time and get the dealer to confirm in writing whether it can be added later. If you regularly tow or do long trips, the $1100 is cheap insurance against being stuck at a charger for hours.

Also budget for a home wallbox and installation if you do not already have one. Without it, the plug-in hybrid case gets much weaker.

Options can push a $157k SUV well past $165k

Mercedes-Benz fits AMG Line exterior styling and the Night Package as standard. The SUV rides on 20-inch wheels and the Coupe on 21-inch wheels.

Inside you get the MBUX Superscreen, with three 12.3-inch displays under one glass panel, plus a head-up display, Burmester surround sound, heated front seats and a 360-degree camera.

The options list is where a dealer will make the car feel complete. An Interior Comfort Package costs $5600, and an exterior Comfort Package with power-closing doors is $2300.

If you tow, read this part carefully. The 3500kg braked towing figure needs both the $3000 towing package and $3800 air suspension. That is $6800 before you hitch up a caravan or horse float.

Tick the comfort and towing boxes and the SUV climbs to $171,600 before on-road costs, ahead of the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid's starting price.

How it stacks up against the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne

The obvious rival is the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid. The outgoing X5 xDrive50e M Sport was priced at $153,600 before on-roads, so the GLE 450e sits only slightly above it.

The catch is that a new-generation X5 is on its way, and BMW has not yet confirmed local pricing for its plug-in version. Our 2027 BMW X5 price, powertrains and timing guide covers what we know so far.

If the BMW X5 is on your shortlist, Carseekers can help with the purchase price on that side of the comparison.

At the other end, the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid starts from $164,800 before on-roads. On base price, the Mercedes undercuts it by $7900.

For buyers who need seven seats more than a badge, our look at the best large plug-in hybrid family SUVs in Australia shows what the wider market offers for far less money.

The tax reality for business and novated lease buyers

Here is the trap many buyers still walk into. From 1 April 2025, plug-in hybrids are no longer eligible for the electric car fringe benefits tax exemption.

That means the GLE 450e does not carry the FBT advantage that made cheaper plug-ins so popular on novated leases. If your employer or a salary packaging provider pitches it as a tax win, ask them to show the numbers in full.

At this price the GLE also sits well above the luxury car tax threshold. That tax is already baked into the list price, and it is a reason the drive-away figure will climb a long way past $156,900 once on-roads are added.

What dealers will do with early GLE 450e stock

New variants at launch rarely come with a discount. Early cars tend to arrive with options already fitted, and buyers who want a specific spec are often told to take what is in the yard or wait.

Ask for a full itemised drive-away quote showing the base price, every option, dealer delivery and on-road costs. Compare it against Mercedes-Benz's own drive-away calculator before you sign.

Be wary of pre-delivery add-ons such as paint protection, tinting and extended warranty bundles. They are high-margin items and rarely needed on a car of this standard.

Your trade-in deserves its own conversation. Negotiate the new car price first, then the trade, so a generous trade value is not quietly clawed back elsewhere in the deal.

Is the plug-in GLE worth the extra over the diesel?

It comes down to how you drive. If most of your trips are short and you can charge at home, the 450e could spend much of its time running on electricity, with the petrol six reserved for longer drives.

If you regularly cover long highway distances or tow heavy loads, the diesel remains the simpler choice. It is $14,600 cheaper to buy, and it matches the plug-in's 3500kg braked towing figure when fitted with the same towing and air suspension packages.

If the idea of plug-in driving appeals but a $157,000 price tag does not, compare Carseekers' range of used hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars in Victoria to see what electrified SUV and passenger car ownership costs a few years in.

Financing a six-figure plug-in hybrid

Few GLE 450e buyers will pay cash. At this price, a small difference in interest rate or a balloon payment can move the total cost by thousands over the life of a loan.

Dealer finance offers are often packaged around a headline repayment rather than the total cost.

Before you accept the in-house offer on a GLE 450e, Loanseekers can help you compare car-finance options, so you can weigh the dealer's offer against alternatives. Any approval depends on the vehicle, your circumstances and each lender's requirements.

Ask any lender for the comparison rate, every fee and the balloon amount in writing. Then decide whether the plug-in premium over the GLE 350d still makes sense once financing is in the picture.