Volkswagen previewed the upcoming ID.2 GTI with a concept at the 2023 Munich Motor Show, and a new report suggests it could be followed by a hardcore ID.2 R. If things pan out, it could be even more powerful than the 2025 Golf R.

According to a report from Autocar, the German carmaker is considering an ID.2 R as part of a wider effort to “explore the potency and torque-vectoring potential of hub motors.” While the model hasn’t been approved at this point, it could have a high-tech powertrain that mixes ‘old’ with new.

More: VW ID. GTI Concept Is A Hot ID.2 With Fake Gearshifts That’s Coming In 2026

In particular, the car could use the front-mounted motor from the ID.2 GTI. It could be joined by two rear in-wheel motors, giving the hot hatch a tri-motor all-wheel drive system. The report suggests we can expect an output of around 400 hp (298 kW / 406 PS), which would eclipse the 328 hp (245 kW / 333 PS) Golf R.

Besides packing plenty of power, the tri-motor powertrain would allow for impressive handling. This would reportedly be aided by “predictive torque distribution, brake-based yaw control, and dynamic drive modes.”

Little else is known about the car at this point, but it would likely feature the usual R upgrades. As a result, we can expect unique interior and exterior styling as well as a sportier driving experience.

ID.2 Continues Testing

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Spy photographers recently snapped an ID.2 prototype disguised as a Polo and now they’ve caught another car in the Alps. Dressed in traditional black and white camouflage, the model follows in the footsteps of the ID.2all concept but features a heavily revised front end.

The changes immediately stand out as the road-going model has a taller hood and more traditional headlights with top-mounted DRLs. We can also see a revamped bumper with a wide intake and vertical air curtains.

The profile is virtually identical to the concept, although the lower door treatment is a tad more conservative. Elsewhere, there are larger side mirrors and an evolutionary rear end.

When the ID.2all concept was introduced, Volkswagen was planning to introduce the production model in 2025 with a base price of less than €25,000 ($28,747). While the car is now expected to arrive in 2026, Volkswagen billed it “as spacious as a Golf” and “as affordable as a Polo.”

It’s slated to ride on the new MEB Entry platform and the concept had 223 hp (166 kW / 226 PS) as well as up to 280 miles (450 km) of range. However, the production model will presumably be offered in multiple configurations.

Renault is giving the Megane E-Tech a much-needed refresh in 2026, five years after it first hit the streets. This mid-lifecycle update is set to bring the electric crossover, which is really more of a hatchback, up to date with sleeker styling and updated battery packs, so it can stay competitive with newer rivals on the market.

More: One Of Europe’s Top Auto Bosses Suddenly Quit Just As Things Start Looking Up

The French brand has already made a few incremental updates to the Megane E-Tech, including adding one-pedal driving, Vehicle-to-Grid functions, and introducing an Esprit Alpine trim. However, these minor changes were just a warm-up for the upcoming actual facelift.

Small Changes, Big Upgrades

Our spy photographers caught a camouflaged prototype during testing, revealing some of the key changes. The front end will receive a major overhaul, adopting the latest styling from Renault’s other models, including the Scenic E-Tech and the ICE-powered Clio and Captur. Expect slimmer LED headlights, a new grille, and a more minimalist bumper design.

The profile will be largely left untouched, but Renault designers could add new alloy wheels and more options in the color palette. The rear will also see modest updates, with refreshed LED taillight graphics and a tweaked bumper.

Inside, the Megane E-Tech will probably stay the same. After all, it was the first model to feature Renault’s new digital cockpit and the Google-powered OpenR infotainment system, which has since been rolled out to other models in the lineup.

New Batteries Made In France

Setting aside the cosmetic changes, the new Megane E-Tech will bring important upgrades under the skin. Renault is expected to replace the current 40kW and 60kW LG battery packs that are being imported with new ones from AESC. These will be produced in Douai, France, and could extend the driving range of the EV over the 470 km (290 miles) offered by the current version.

More: Affordable Car Crisis Has EU’s Auto Giants Calling For A Radical New Category

Judging from the new generation of the Nissan Leaf that also rides on the same CMF-EV architecture, the facelifted Renault Megane E-Tech could gain 150 kW DC fast charging capabilities.

At the moment, it is not clear whether Renault will upgrade the electric powertrain of the Megane E-Tech. The outgoing model is available with single electric motors producing either 129 hp (96 kW / 131 PS) or 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS). What we know for sure is that the Renault won’t get the tri-motor powertrain of the more upmarket Alpine A390 that generates up to 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS).

The facelifted Megane E-Tech is expected to be unveiled toward the end of 2025, with a market launch in 2026. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Renault is already working on a completely new generation of the model, which could arrive around 2029.

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Mazda’s best-selling SUV is getting a major overhaul, and it’s not trying to keep it a secret. The third-generation CX-5 brings updated styling, new tech, and — for the first time — a hybrid option. A leaked photo may have jumped the gun, showing the new model in full, without any camouflage, and hinting that the official reveal could be just around the corner.

More: Mazda Slashes $3.3B From EV Plans, Confirms Hybrid SkyActiv-Z Engine For New CX-5

The image surfaced on Cochespias, with the Instagram page of Car Design News cited as the original source. It looks legitimate, especially since the model closely resembles the camouflaged prototypes spotted during testing. The overall proportions and window shape remain familiar, echoing the outgoing CX-5, but the body panels have been entirely reworked.

Sharper Details, Familiar Shape

What stands out first is the headlight design. The new units curve into the grille, not unlike what we once saw on the now-discontinued Mercedes-Benz EQC. The grille itself keeps its signature shape but introduces a fresh pattern and thinner chrome accents. The bumper is still cleanly sculpted, free of faux side vents, though the lower intake has grown noticeably, giving the front end a more pronounced look.

Around the wheel arches, unpainted plastic cladding gives the crossover a slightly more rugged appearance, although higher trim levels could swap it out for body-colored panels. The rear isn’t visible in the leaked shot, but earlier spy photos suggest slimmer LED taillights, which bring to mind BMW’s concept cars, along with a pair of exposed exhaust pipes.

The overall design doesn’t feel like a carbon copy of Mazda’s larger CX-60, 70, 80, and 90 SUVs. Nor does it step on the toes of the similarly-sized CX-50, keeping the CX-5’s identity intact while evolving its look.

It’s a safe bet that the new CX-5 will bring improvements to the interior, likely borrowing materials and tech from Mazda’s more upscale models. Expect a bump in quality, a larger infotainment system, and maybe even a few design cues from the CX-90. A modest increase in size could also make it a more practical choice for families.

Hybrid Setup With A New Engine

Mazda has confirmed that the upcoming CX-5 will offer a self charging hybrid variant developed entirely in-house. This version will also introduce the new SkyActiv-Z gasoline engine, which aims to deliver better fuel efficiency and stronger performance. But don’t expect it right away, as the engine won’t join the lineup until late 2027, so the hybrid will likely launch with an existing powertrain before switching over later.

More: Mazda’s Sportier 6e Sedan Launches With A Price Tag That Feels Like A Typo

The current-generation CX-5 arrived in late 2016, so this redesign is overdue. The new model could land in the US as a 2026 model-year vehicle, with a global debut expected within weeks.

Mazda’s long-standing rival, the Toyota RAV4, recently got a full redesign for 2026. The updated CX-5 will also go head-to-head with the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, both of which already offer hybrid powertrains. In a segment where efficiency and tech are more important than ever, the new CX-5 will need more than just good looks to stand out.

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If you like the idea of owning a wagon with electric power you’re not short of options in 2025 – at least in Europe. The Audi A6 e-tron Avant, BMW i5 Touring and Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo heading our money-no-object list. Rewind three years, and Peugeot’s E-308 SW was one of only a couple of options, but now with middle age approaching the affordable electric wagon pioneer is getting a makeover.

Spied parked up in a Stellantis R&D facility, this SW – Peugeot says the letters stand for Station Wagon – has the automaker’s trademark crystal-effect camouflage wrap on its nose and tail. And it’s irritatingly good at its job, keeping the details of the styling tweaks mostly safe from prying eyes.

Related: The First Electric GTI Isn’t From VW, It’s From Peuegot

But we can see that the fenders, hood and headlight shape don’t appear to have changed, and it’s just possible to make out the new grille, which consists of a series of upright bars, just like on the facelifted 2008 SUV. It’s possible that the 308 could adopt a similar DRL claw arrangement to the 2008, swapping the current car’s single downward swipe for three.

It looks like the rear changes could be even more discrete, the contours of the bodywork beneath the camouflage suggesting tweaks will be limited to new rear light signatures and possibly a new profile for the section of lower bumper located between the fog and reverse lights.

Potential Powertrain Upgrades

But those minimal styling updates might be hiding some more substantial changes under the skin. Right now the only powertrain setup available in the E-308 is a single 154 h (156 PS) / 115 kW) electric motor that’s pulls its charge from a small 54 kWh battery that gives a range of around 254 miles (409 km).

But since the E-308 was launched we’ve been introduced to several newer single-motor Stellantis EVs built on the same E-CMP platform with far more power. Peugeot’s own E-208 GTI, for example has 276 hp (280 PS / 206 kW), so it’s possible the E-308 SW could get the option of that powertrain – potentially with GTI branding. And the E-208 GTI’s Abarth’s 600e cousin additionally offers a 237 hp (240 PS / 177 kW) motor that could also work in the 308.

A Facelift for the Entire Family

Whatever new goodies the E-308 adopts, you can expect them to be shared with its hatchback sibling. The design updates, meanwhile, will likely make their way to the combustion 308 as well, with an expected rollout in early 2026.

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It’s no secret that BYD is rapidly climbing the global sales charts, cranking out an ever-growing lineup of electric and plug-in hybrid models. But even ambitious automakers have off days, and this time, BYD might have let its engineers go a little too wild in the workshop.

A new prototype has surfaced in China that looks more like a garage art project than a car supposedly aiming to compete with the likes of Porsche, including the upcoming 718 EV (at least on paper).

Read: Denza Z Is An Electric Porsche Rival With A Fold-Away Steering Wheel

This bizarre prototype was recently spotted in China and despite missing most of its bodywork, we can see it’s a tester for the Denza Z. First showcased at the recent Shanghai Auto Show as a concept, it’s clear BYD has already given Denza the green light to bring it into production.

What immediately stands out is the sheer amount of spray foam involved. For whatever reason, it covers the roof, rear window, and rear deck, creeping across pillars and window frames, even appearing to bond some of the body panels. It makes this prototype appear to be something a rogue DIYer has put together in their garage, rather than something we’d expect to see from a multi-billion-dollar carmaker.

Photos Autohome

Hidden beneath this excess of foam will be a host of impressive features that should make the Denza Z one serious performer. According to a report from China’s Autohome the production Denza Z will pack an electric powertrain pushing out roughly 536 horsepower (400 kW). That should be enough to send it to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just over 3.0 seconds.

The Powertrain

Limited details about the powertrain are known, but it’ll presumably be a dual-motor setup borrowing a battery pack from a current BYD model. What we do know is that it will hit the market with double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive shocks, ensuring it handles just as well as it accelerates.

Despite the dodgy bodywork of this prototype, it’s safe to assume that the production model’s design will be very similar to the concept, which is a good thing.

The cabin layout should also carry over, though this test car swaps the concept’s foldaway steering wheel for a conventional one. It’s unclear whether that retractable wheel will make it to the final version, but it seems unlikely given current road safety regulations and the extra complexity it would bring.

Update: We’ve added a speculative illustration of what a next-generation Toyota Venza (or Harrier) based on the new RAV4 might look like, created by our friend Theophilus Chin.

Toyota’s compact SUV lineup is getting a fresh shake-up, with the new RAV4 taking center stage since its debut earlier this month. But the Japanese automaker isn’t about to let the RAV4 have all the glory in this fiercely competitive segment.

More: The 2026 Toyota RAV4’s Evolution Is More Than Meets The Eye

Word on the street is that a new generation of the Venza is gearing up for a 2027 release, aiming to position itself as a sleeker, coupe-SUV alternative to Toyota’s best-selling, more mainstream RAV4.

A Quick Recap on the Venza

The second generation of the Venza debuted in 2020, making its return to Toyota’s North American lineup after a brief hiatus. This SUV is essentially a rebadged version of Japan’s fourth-gen Harrier, with styling that’s more in line with a Lexus than a Toyota. While based on the RAV4 Hybrid, the Venza straddled the line between the compact and midsize SUV classes.

But in 2024, Toyota pulled the plug on the Venza in America, and the Crown Signia stepped in as an indirect replacement. However, the Japanese-spec Harrier soldiered on and received updates for 2025, including a new Nightshade Edition.

A New Generation in the Works

Illustrations of the next-Gen Toyota Harrier/Venza by Theottle

According to a new report from Japanese outlet Best Car, Toyota is working on a new Harrier, which could pave the way for the Venza’s revival in the States. The next-gen Harrier is expected to sport a sleeker design, drifting away from the boxy, rugged RAV4 look and leaning into something more refined.

New details suggest that the next Harrier will ride on a longer wheelbase at about 2,770 mm (109.1 inches), which is roughly 80 mm (3.1 inches) longer than the current version. Expect that extra space to translate into a more refined, car-like roof height of 1,550 mm (61 inches), improving its overall proportions. Toyota’s design team is also reportedly eyeing a more dramatic, sloping roofline, signaling a dive into coupe-SUV territory.

With an overall length of around 4,750 mm (187 inches), the new Harrier will be closer in size to premium coupe-SUVs like the BMW X4, Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, and Audi Q5 Sportback.

More: Toyota’s New JDM Crown Estate Gets A Pull-Out Deck Chair And 302 HP

Inside, it is safe to assume that the new Harrier/Venza will be more premium than the RAV4, at least in terms of design and perceived quality. Tech upgrades could include a 12.9-inch infotainment display and the latest connectivity features along with more extensive over-the-air updates.

Carry-Over Underpinnings

In typical Toyota fashion, the next generation of the Venza is expected to retain the TNGA-K platform of its predecessor, albeit with a few upgrades. This platform also underpins a slew of Toyota and Lexus vehicles, including the RAV4, Crown Sport, Highlander, Grand Highlander, Lexus NX, RX, and TX.

In Japan, the Harrier will reportedly adopt a new turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid options. This engine is designed to deliver improved efficiency and performance, with an added emphasis on electrification.

More: New RAV4 GR Sport Has More Power Than A GR Corolla

While it’s unclear whether Toyota will bring this turbocharged engine to North America, the Venza is likely to remain a hybrid-only affair, much like the current RAV4 hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, which offer up to 236 hp (239 PS) in front-wheel drive and 320 hp (324 PS) in all-wheel drive configurations.

Originally, Toyota planned to release this new Venza/Harrier generation in 2026, but delays caused by the company’s involvement in a safety scandal in Japan have pushed the timeline back. The SUV is now expected to arrive in 2027, when the current generation will already be seven years old.

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Update: Nissan has confirmed specs for the next-gen Leaf, including a single-motor setup with up to 214 horsepower. That matches the current Leaf SV Plus, which also delivers 214 hp from a 62 kWh battery pack. On paper, then, there’s no clear performance jump in the upcoming model. Details on the base version are still under wraps, but for reference, the current Leaf S puts out 147 hp with its smaller 40 kWh battery.

Still, Richard Candler, Nissan’s vice president of global product strategy, described the updated EV’s motor as offering “a responsive, smooth and confident drive,” noting that every component has been optimized for efficiency.

Nissan is also targeting a range of 300 to 500 km (186 to 311 miles), with fast-charging capability that can add 250 km (155 miles) in just 14 minutes. According to Candler, this matches the average time that ICE-powered vehicle owners spend at gas stations.

Electric cars are evolving fast, and Nissan wants the next Leaf to prove it still has a place in the conversation. The company is preparing for the full debut of its next-generation EV later this month, teasing more of its design and offering a behind-the-scenes look at its development through a series of new videos.

Nissan gave us our first look at the third-generation Leaf back in March 2025, trading in the familiar hatchback shape of past models for a crossover profile, complete with a fastback-style rear. We now get a closer view of key design elements, including the LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, and an active grille shutter that adjusts for airflow.

More: Mitsubishi’s American EV Will Be A Nissan In Disguise

We can also see the NACS-compatible charging port, and the optional panoramic roof with an e-Dimming function. The later uses electrochromic technology and an infrared reflective coating, eliminating the need for a physical sunshade.

According to Nissan’s design director Nobutaka Tase, this Leaf will be the most aerodynamic production model the company has ever built, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.25 in Europe and 0.26 in the US and Japan. The slight difference comes down to region-specific tweaks like wheels and mirror designs, with the European version coming out just a bit more streamlined.

FWD-only EV With A Decent Range

Underneath, the Leaf shares the CMF-EV platform with the larger Ariya, which means a flat floor and a roomier cabin layout. However, unlike its bigger cousin, the Leaf will be exclusively available with a single electric motor moving the front wheels. This motor produces up to 214 hp (160 kW / 217 PS) and 355 Nm (261 lb-ft) of torque on “select variants” while being quieter and 10% smaller than before.

Nissan also highlighted the new multi-link rear suspension, the improved maneuverability, and a 66% increase in lateral rigidity compared to the previous generation. Furthermore, the A/C unit has been moved under the hood freeing up more space for the front passenger, and the liquid-cooled battery has a new thermal recovery system for improved efficiency.

More: Nissan’s New Hybrid System Promises EV-Like Benefits But At A Cost

Richard Candler, Nissan’s vice president of global product strategy, says the goal was to make the new Leaf a real contender for buyers used to gas-powered vehicles. That meant designing a sleeker body without giving up on practicality, and ensuring long-distance driving was part of the deal.

Target range spans from 300 to 500 kilometers (186 to 311 miles), although the final EPA and WLTP figures have yet to be announced. More importantly, the EV will be able to add 250 km (155 miles) of range in just 14 minutes when connected to an 150 kWh DC charger. Nissan says that this matches the average time that ICE-powered vehicle owners spend at gas stations, making the experience of owning an EV less of a burden.

The new Leaf is also equipped with a navigation-linked battery conditioning system, and comes with vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-load capability.

Overall, Nissan has sold nearly 700,000 examples of the Leaf since 2010, taking valuable insights from existing owners for the development of the new generation. We’ll have more details when the full reveal happens on June 18.

For those with deep pockets and a taste for exclusivity, McLaren is opening the gates – just a crack. Its long-awaited return to top-tier endurance racing at Le Mans in 2027 won’t be a solo affair.

Rather than keeping the upcoming LMDh Hypercar strictly in-house, McLaren’s automotive and racing arms are teaming up to produce a limited batch of customer-spec race cars. These will be developed alongside the official factory entry, offering a rare opportunity for privateers to get uncomfortably close to the brand’s next-generation endurance racer.

More: One Man Got A New Porsche Hypercar No One Else Ever Will

Dubbed “Project: Endurance”, the customer initiative offers more than just the keys to a race car. Participants get access to McLaren’s engineers, drivers, and development process, plus a two-year global track program tailored to show off what these cars can do. That includes coaching from pros, personalized pit crew support, and full race-day logistics so owners can focus on driving rather than managing tire pressures and box lunches.

McLaren hasn’t announced pricing or exactly how many people will be allowed into this ultra-exclusive club. But a few images of the LMDh Hypercar have been released to at least show prospective buyers what their millions might be going toward.

No Street Pretenses Here

The race car is totally unrelated to the roadgoing McLaren W1 flagship hypercar. Instead, it’s a dedicated competition machine, built to LMDh class specs with a fully bespoke body and generous aerodynamic surfaces. Underneath, it rides on a carbon fiber monocoque supplied by Dallara and packs a hybrid drivetrain.

Power comes from a race-spec twin-turbo V6 paired with an electric motor, both sending grunt to the rear wheels. As per LMDh rules, total system output is capped at 671 horsepower (500 kW / 680 PS), though McLaren hasn’t released further details yet.

Nick Collins, CEO of McLaren Group Holdings, called the program a “bold, authentic Le Mans Hypercar customer ownership experience.” And while that’s about as corporate as it sounds, the core idea is clear: buy into Project: Endurance, and you’re not just getting a car. You’re getting a front-row seat to McLaren’s return to endurance racing, plus a full immersion in its development path.

Target: Motorsports‘ Triple Crown

The new McLaren will race at the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team has the ambitious goal of winning the Triple Crown of motorsport for the second time in its history. The feat includes winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix, and McLaren now wants to achieve it in a single season.

More: 12 Surprising Things About The New McLaren W1 Hypercar

The company will face serious competition at Le Mans from the LMDh entries of Genesis, Ford, Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche, plus the LMH entries of Ferrari, Toyota, Peugeot, and Aston Martin.

In the 2025 race that took place last weekend, the Ferrari 499P striked its third consecutive win with private team AF Corse and ex-F1 driver Robert Kubica being part of the squad. Porsche followed in second place with the 963 Hybrid that recently got a road-going conversion exclusively for team owner Roger S. Penske.

McLaren

After years of shaking up the auto world, Luca de Meo is officially calling it quits at the Renault Group . The man credited with dragging the French automaker into the modern era is stepping down as CEO, opting to chase “new challenges outside the automotive sector.” His resignation takes effect on July 15, marking the end of a five-year run that many consider both ambitious and unexpectedly successful.

More: One Brand Raised Prices 48% And Still Sold More Cars

De Meo joined Renault at a critical time and quickly rolled out the sweeping “Renaulution” strategy in 2021. The plan brought a string of new EVs and hybrids to market, including the retro-styled Renault 5 hatchback, and signaled a major shift by reimagining Alpine as an EV-only performance brand. Meanwhile, the low-cost Dacia lineup expanded under his watch, reinforcing Renault’s reach in budget-conscious markets.

A Sudden Exit, But Not Without a Plan

The Board of Directors has thanked de Meo for his leadership and confirmed that the process of appointing a new CEO is already underway, guided by an existing succession plan. The identity of the next chief executive will be announced in due course, though no exact date has been given.

French newspaper Le Figaro reports that the 58-year-old executive will join the luxury group Kering, which owns fashion brands Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen. Kering shares have dipped 77% since the all-time-high of 2021, meaning that the new boss has to come up with a turnaround plan.

In a parting statement, de Meo reflected on his time at Renault. “There comes a time in one’s life when one knows the job is done,” he said. “At Renault Group, we have faced immense challenges in less than five years. We have achieved what many thought impossible. Today, the results speak for themselves: they are the best in our history.”

More: People Are Lining Up To Spend Over $175K On This Renault

He also expressed confidence in Renault’s future direction. “We have a strong team and an agile organization. We also have a strategic plan ready for the next generation of products,” he added. “That is why I have decided it is time for me to hand over the baton. I am leaving a transformed company, poised for the future, to apply my experience to other sectors and embark on new adventures.”

Before joining Renault, de Meo held key leadership roles at several major automakers, including CEO positions at Seat and Cupra within the Volkswagen Group, as well as Fiat, Abarth, and Alfa Romeo during his earlier tenure at FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles).

When your vehicle lineup is as huge as Mercedes-Benz’s, getting all of those cars and SUVs singing from the same design hymn sheet is no small matter. The 2024 E-Class and 2026 CLA introduced new styling elements to create a fresh family face for Mercedes vehicles, but those tweaks still have to be rolled out to older models, including three of the automaker’s bigger SUVs.

However, judging from the flurry of Mercedes R&D activity at the Nurburgring this month, it looks like we won’t have long to wait to see the result. Two regular GLE SUVs, a GLE coupe and a GLS were all spotted at the Ring putting in some endurance miles with very little in the way of disguise obscuring their new features.

Related: Will More Power Than A Veyron Convince You This Electric SUV Is A True AMG?

The three distinct types of SUVs are all getting the same makeover that includes a new-look grille like the one introduced on the current E-Class. While most recent Benzes have set their relatively small grilles directly into a body-color bumper, the E-Class brought back the grille frame, a feature that had been a Mercedes staple for decades.

That frame makes the grilles more prominent on the GLEs, and so more instantly recognizable, but those grilles are also taller than the ones they replace and have a new mesh design that again tips a hat to historic Mercedes designs. The new look ditches the fat horizontal bar either side of the circular badge as part of a refresh designed to keep the ageing midsize SUVs pulling customers away from BMW’s new X5, which debuts next year.

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The three-row GLS doesn’t have to worry about the X5, but it can’t dismiss the threat posed by Audi’s new Q7, also slated for a 2026 launch. Like the GLE, it gets a taller grille, but this one adds three formal grille bars for a very traditional Mercedes look. And both the GLE and GLS will get both star-shaped taillights, which first appeared on the E-Class, as well as star-shaped DRLs that arrived with this year’s CLA sedan.

Mercedes previously facelifted the GLE and GLS in 2023 for the 2024 model year, so we’d expect these tightened-up SUVs to arrive midway through the 2026 model year, or in time for the start of the 2027 season.

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