Introduced for the 1998 model year, this Mercedes-Benz SUV marked the brand’s entry into the modern luxury SUV segment and was a major milestone for the company’s U.S. manufacturing operation in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Early on, it became one of the most visible Mercedes-Benz models sold in North America, then expanded to other markets as the concept of a premium, car-based off-roader gained wider acceptance. Across its life, the nameplate covered three generations and moved from the original body-on-frame-inspired approach to more road-focused luxury SUV packaging and technology. A significant update for the 2015 model year also brought the brand’s newer SUV naming strategy, after which the nameplate was retired in favor of the GLE designation. The model is remembered as the vehicle that helped define Mercedes-Benz’s long-running SUV line and laid the groundwork for the company’s later high-end utility vehicles.
MODEL HISTORY