Mercedes-Benz GLE (M-Class) History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Introduced in 1998 as the M-Class (ML, W163), built in Alabama, it helped launch the luxury-SUV boom; the W164 and W166 followed.
In 2015 the W166 was renamed GLE under Mercedes' revised nomenclature, and a GLE Coupe joined the range; the GLE continues as a core model with the AMG GLE 63.
Generations
ML (W163) · W163
The original M-Class, US-built; helped launch the luxury-SUV era.
1998 Photo: “1998 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 in Brilliant Emerald Metallic, Front Right, 05-27-2023” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2000 Photo: “2000 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 (W 163 MY00) wagon (2010-09-23) 02” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
2004 Photo: “2004 Mercedes-Benz ML350 in Brilliant Silver Metallic, Front Left, 09-04-2022” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
ML (W164) · W164
Second-generation M-Class on a unibody platform.
2006 Photo: “2006-2008 Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG (W 164) wagon (2018-09-03) 02” by EurovisionNim / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
2007 Photo: “2007 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 CDI (W 164 MY08) Luxury wagon (2011-11-18) 01” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
2009 Photo: “2009 Mercedes-Benz ML 280 CDI (W 164 MY09) wagon (2011-06-15)” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
2010 Photo: “2010 Mercedes-Benz ML 320 CDI (W 164 MY10) 4MATIC wagon (2018-10-19) 02” by EurovisionNim / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
ML / GLE (W166) · W166
Renamed GLE in 2015; a GLE Coupe (C292) joined.
GLE (W167) · W167
Current GLE; available third row and the AMG GLE 63.
2026 Photo: “2026 Mercedes-Benz W167 IMG 6655” by Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- 4-door SUV
- 4-door SUV (coupe roofline)
Notable special editions & performance variants
AMG GLE 63 (ML63 AMG)
The high-performance V8 GLE/M-Class — naturally aspirated 6.2L V8, later twin-turbo V8.
Related models
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