Late last year, Auto Nation Group, the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in our market, began offering a huge P500,000 discount on the third-generation GLE-Class. And now we know why.

Today, the company officially launched the all-new, fourth-gen version of the midsize luxury SUV at its EDSA-Greenhills showroom. The seven-seater and all-wheel-drive vehicle is now available on the market with just a lone (at least for now) variant: the GLE300d, which is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine (245hp and 500Nm) and a nine-speed (9G-Tronic) automatic transmission.

As with other modern Mercedes-Benz models today, the new GLE boasts the MBUX infotainment system, which features two ginormous 12.3-inch touchscreen displays and basically allows you to bark orders to the car via voice command. Just say “Hey Mercedes” and your Blackpink playlist on Spotify starts playing without you having to take your hands off the steering wheel.

The Philippine-market GLE’s standard equipment includes 21-inch light-alloy wheels, a plethora of high-technology safety aids (front, side and knee airbags, blind-spot assist and a 360° camera, among many others), Burmester surround-sound audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, four-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting (64 colors), HDD navigation, and wireless charging for handheld devices.

You can park the new Mercedes GLE in your posh garage if you have a disposable amount of P5,690,000 floating somewhere in your bank account. Or if you’re a congressman.