Verdict
At RM498,888, the Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift is RM66,000 cheaper than the RM564,888 Mercedes-Benz GLE W166, yet it is quicker to 100 km/h at 6.1 seconds versus 7.6 and gets a 31.0 kWh plug-in hybrid battery with 114 km EV range. It is also longer, has a longer wheelbase, and gets AEB. The older W166 still has the bigger boot, 690 litres against 490, a higher 235 km/h top speed, 9 airbags and a 93-litre tank. For Malaysia, road tax alone swings hard: RM440 versus RM2,437.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 if you want the 690-litre boot, 93-litre fuel tank, 9 airbags and 235 km/h top speed, and can live with RM2,437 road tax.
Pick the Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift if you want quicker 6.1-second acceleration, 114 km EV range, AEB, four-year warranty and much lower RM440 road tax.
Key differences
- Powertrain: Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 has a 3,498 cc petrol engine; Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift has a 1,999 cc petrol plug-in hybrid with a 31.0 kWh battery
- Output: Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 makes 306 hp and 370 Nm; Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift makes 248 hp and 400 Nm
- Performance: Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 does 0-100 km/h in 7.6 s and 235 km/h; Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift does 6.1 s and 210 km/h
- Size: Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 is 4,804 mm long with a 2,915 mm wheelbase; Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift is 4,924 mm long with a 2,995 mm wheelbase
- Practicality: Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 has 690 L boot space and a 93 L tank; Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift has 490 L boot space and an 85 L tank
- Safety and cover: Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 has 9 airbags, no AEB and 2-year warranty; Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift has 7 airbags, AEB and 4-year warranty
W166
- 690-litre boot is much larger
- 306 hp and 235 km/h top speed
- 9 airbags and 93-litre fuel tank
- No AEB listed
- RM2,437 annual road tax
- 2-year warranty
V167 Facelift
- Quicker 6.1-second 0-100 km/h time
- 31.0 kWh battery with 114 km EV range
- RM440 road tax and 4-year warranty
- 490-litre boot is smaller
- 7 airbags versus 9 in the W166
- 210 km/h top speed is lower
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM564,888 | RM498,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Executive | Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM2,437 | RM440✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC with direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC with Direct Fuel Injection, Turbocharger, Variable Valve Timing with PHEV Assistance |
| Capacity | 3,498 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 306 hp✓ | 248 hp |
| Torque | 370 Nm | 400 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Plug-in Hybrid |
| Bore | 92.9 mm | — |
| Compression Ratio | 12 | — |
| Number of Motors | — | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 154 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | — | 440 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | — | 31 kWh |
| EV Range | — | 114 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | — | 11 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7G-TRONIC | 9G-Tronic |
| Gears | 7 | 9 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz (Daimler AG) | — |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.6 seconds | 6.1 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | 8.5 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 235 km/h✓ | 210 km/h |
| Co2 | 199 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,804 mm | 4,924 mm |
| Width | 1,926 mm | 1,947 mm |
| Height | 1,796 mm | 1,772 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,915 mm | 2,995 mm |
| Weight | 2,130 kg | 2,685 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 93 litres | 85 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 690 litres✓ | 490 litres |
| Front Tyre | 265/40R21 | 275/45R21 |
| Rear Tyre | 265/40R21 | 315/40R21 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | — | Pirelli P Zero |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Germany (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | Double Wishbones with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link with Air Suspension | Multi-link with Air Suspension |
| Front Wheels | 21" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 21" Alloy | 21" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Airmatic | Airmatic with Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | 5 stars | — |
| ANCAP | 5 stars | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Driver's Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Rear Side | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | — | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | — | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Bi-Xenon Directional Projector | LED Reflectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function | Powered Front Seats with Massage and Ventilation Functions |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Fold | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Sunroof | Front, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic Sliding Roof |
| Power Sockets | 2 Front, 1 Rear, 1 Boot | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade & Rear Window Shades |
| Audio | 7.0-inch COMAND Online with DVD Changer | 12.3" MBUX Multimedia with Burmester Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Surround View Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | — | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | — | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | Unlimited | — |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 4 years✓ |
| Warranty Extended | 2 years | — |
| Warranty Notes | — | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used cars for sale
W166 vs V167 Facelift FAQ
Is the Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 or Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift better?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift is better for most Malaysian buyers: it is cheaper, quicker to 100 km/h, has 114 km EV range, AEB, longer warranty and far lower road tax. The W166 counters with more boot space, more airbags and higher top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift is RM66,000 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLE W166. That gap comes with lower road tax too: RM440 a year versus RM2,437.
Which one has more boot space?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE W166 has the bigger boot at 690 litres. The Mercedes-Benz GLE V167 Facelift has 490 litres, so the older car is the stronger pick if luggage space is the main priority.
