A mid-life freshen for Mercedes’ popular sports utility sharpens Coupe and wagon editions.

ELECTRIC-assist drivetrains achieve higher presence in an update for a Kiwi-popular Mercedes sports utility, but the AMG editions remain old-school.

Four years into their production life, the GLE in its wagon and coupe formats has been treated to technical and styling updates. When the refresh hits New Zealand is not yet clear, but availability in Europe begins in July.

The drivetrain revisions include updates to the 48-volt mild-hybrid setup and the plug-in hybrid powertrains. The latter achieve slightly improved electric range, now up to 109 kilometres, while total power outputs are now up to 280kW  and 750Nm of torque.

The PHEVs get 11kW AC charging, but that can be upgraded to 60kW CCS rapid charging as an option.

There are also new versions of the GLE 300d, 450d, and 450 petrol, all with upgraded 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, to reduce CO2 emissions. The lowest output is 177 grams per kilometre. Power outputs are also up, from 200kW for the 300d to 284kW for the GLE 400. All versions get a torque boost of up to 200Nm from the mild-hybrid system.

GLE's safety package implements active cruise control as standard fare, along with Active Steering Assist and Traffic Sign Assist. The all-round camera system for off-roading now has a Land Rover-style 'transparent bonnet' function, allowing driver’s to see what's under the nose of the car. The Trailer Manoeuvring Assist now works with the sat-nav to help a driver pick the most trailer-friendly driving route.

Off-Road Engineering Package provisions  more underbody protection and vehicles with Airmatic air suspension achieve an extra 30mm of ground clearance.

No facelift is complete without … well, exactly that. New bumpers, new grilles, and some detail updates for the headlights and brake lights come to both body styles. The Coupes now get the AMG-Line bodykit as standard, and there are two new colours - 'Sodalite' blue and a matte-style 'Manufaktur' Alpine grey. Alloy wheels sizes run from 19 to 21 inches, optionally.

The cabin is also freshened. In come new steering wheels with touch-sensitive controls and the MBUX infotainment system, which spans two 12.3-inch screens (one for instruments, one for entertainment and info), has been updated to include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also allows greater connectivity for things such as your smart home devices.

'Energising Air Control,’ which monitors air quality using air quality and fine particle sensors, also features. The vehicle intelligently switches between fresh air and air-recirculation modes depending on the measurement value. Air vents have chrome surrounds and vent slats are galvanised in real metal. Ooh aah, right?

AMG models continue using the 53 straight-six or 63 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engines. They also get new bodykit styling, new 22-inch wheels, and extra standard equipment such as active high beam LED headlights. The engine control software for both models has also been upgraded, and there have been some tweaks to the suspension and the active roll control system.