What you are taking a look at is essentially the most bemoaned phase within the automotive {industry}, at the very least when you ask an automotive journalist.”Large, coupe-y SUVs will not be speculated to exist” is the reply you may get when you ask your native automotive journalist what they may take into consideration one thing like a BMW X6 M or a Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe.
However, the keys to the latter landed in our lap, a $94,000 SUV (as-tested) with a cut-off roofline that impedes visibility, cargo-carrying functionality, and rear passenger house. And regardless of that almost six-figure value, this is not even essentially the most absurd model of the GLE Coupe.
Keep in mind, there’s an AMG GLE 63, which packs a 4.0-liter, 603-horsepower V8. Sans V8 noises, we questioned if our automotive’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six would make the minimize as we set off. In a hotly-contested phase, this Mercedes had each the total weight of its competitors and the opinion of the fanatic neighborhood working towards it.
Exterior: Handsomely Controversial
The picture you are taking a look at beneath is arguably essentially the most controversial a part of this automotive’s design. The coupe a part of that ridiculously lengthy identify means you lose a couple of cubes of space for storing within the again. Nonetheless, you get 33 cubic toes as in comparison with the X6’s 27 cubes. That mentioned, transplant this look onto one thing with out the letters “S,” “U,” and “V,” on it and you have one thing the grumpy automotive neighborhood from above would possibly contemplate quite good-looking.
And the GLE is that. We love the little pseudo-Hofmeister kink on the rear glass, and the lights sat simply behind it add so much to the look. Proper now, Merc is on the high of its lighting recreation. The little spoiler on the rear is not all that noticeable, however it does add one thing to the look when you take a second to stare on the automotive.
However the first stuff you’ll discover are the large ($2,850) 22-inch AMG cross-spoke wheels. They’re enormous, sure, however they full the look, as does the Lunar Blue Metallic paint, which is considerably bluer than it seems in photographs.
Efficiency: Easy. Silky. Quick.
Predictably, a automotive with an AMG badge has lots of efficiency in its grasp. On this case, motivation comes from a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six making 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. That will sound paltry for a 5,000-pound automotive, however a mild-hybrid system generally known as EQ-Increase offers you 184 lb-ft of additional twist on demand just about wherever within the rev vary.
4Matic AWD helps put all of it to the bottom, and Mercedes has chosen its ubiquitous nine-speed computerized for the shiftwork. It does its job effectively, shifting once you want it to and, extra importantly, permitting you to decide on when it does, too.
Our check unit arrived with Merc’s AMG Journey Management+ suspension administration system, which may be managed by a Ferrari-style manettino change on the wheel. The system is predicated on Mercedes’ widely-used Airmatic air suspension setup and has a number of modes so that you can select from.
That is additionally true of the powertrain, which may be adjusted individually from the experience high quality. Between these two, plus Merc’s pre-programmed Eco, Consolation, Sport, and Sport+ modes, which add extra aggression and extra exhaust noise as you ramp up, the adjustability is close to countless.
Driving Impressions: Physics? What Physics?
Regrettably, the exhaust notice cannot be adjusted by itself on this ‘lesser’ AMG mannequin, which is a pity because the straight-six has the power to sing once you deal with the GLE Coupe like a sports activities automotive however not as loudly as we might like.
And deal with it like a sports activities automotive we did on a few of Colorado’s again roads; If Mercedes wished to current this as a lifted five-seater with sports activities automotive intent, then we have been going to drive it like a sports activities automotive. So, on the backside of a favourite mountain, we switched to Sport+ and buried our foot into the firewall.
Doing so stiffens the dampers, slackens the motive force aids, and hastens the automotive’s mechanical responses. Fortunately, the MultiContour entrance seats with therapeutic massage ($1,100) have been greater than capable of maintain us in place by the bends.
We have been grateful as a result of this automotive sticks with its Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber being an enormous a part of that. We have to have a chat with AMG engineers as a result of the way in which this automotive manages its physique weight is one thing linebackers may be taught from.
You possibly can set the automotive up, lean it in, and choose a line. From there, it is all grip till the exit, at which level the inline-six lets out a fast bark on the upshifts whilst you scale back the earlier nook to a speck within the rearview.
Good sports activities automobiles want a level of tactility – an interplay to make you are feeling one with the automotive. However this being a household SUV makes some compromises in that division. The steering is weighty but devoid of street really feel. You possibly can say the identical for the noises this automotive makes. You will barely hear these inline-six barks as a result of that is additionally a luxurious automotive.
This does not imply the AMG GLE is all lows, nonetheless. The brakes held as much as a frankly absurd stage of abuse. We ran 180-degree switchbacks up and down a full 4 occasions earlier than brake fade turned a difficulty. Hauling a automotive down from speeds that should not be succesful from a household SUV in such tight confinesto 25 mph, and doing so with strong pedal really feel and no complaints, is massively spectacular.
The gearbox is one other excessive notice. AMG has set the tuning proper on this one, and it is greater than quick sufficient so that you can take pleasure in utilizing. It isn’t DCT-quick, however it’s all the time easy, and nearly as decisive as the perfect BMW has to supply.
Lastly, that leaves us with the experience. Along with stellar grip, Mercedes has discovered a candy spot for canyon-carving within the Sport+ setting. A really small portion of those will ever see observe time, so it is most likely for the higher that there is some give within the suspension, even when it is cranked to the max. The automotive rides superbly in all situations.
Only a few automobiles have made us flip round for a second go at our 20-mile drive route by the Rockies. The Nissan Z did. So did the BMW M240i and the Mazda MX-5 Miata. That is to date the one SUV that may stand in that membership with these sports activities automobiles, which is extra a testomony to the perverse pleasure one will get from manhandling a car that should not have the ability to do that and but does with aplomb.
Having pushed the pants off the GLE, it was time to replicate on how the automotive did round city. Fortunately, it is a full hour again house with a mixture of crap roads, busy highways, and lengthy empty mountain roads between us and residential.
That is the place these compromises we talked about earlier pay their dividends. The GLE is excellent round city, however we had a couple of gripes. First: visibility. This is not actually Merc’s fault. Fashionable crash regs have led to excessive beltlines, and SUVs are naturally tall. The result’s parking whereas craning your neck out the window or fumbling for the cameras (which want a tough button shortcut like within the Bronco).
Second: MBUX is nice, however the search perform is just not. We commonly discovered the map old-fashioned when looking for native companies, like the brand new Goal close to us. For such infotainment system, this can be a obvious fault. The voice recognition can also be a bit weak.
Lastly, these costly seats aren’t actually price it. They’re good, certain, however the therapeutic massage perform simply is not very highly effective. This downside is not unique to Merc both, thoughts you. In that vein, we have but to fulfill a European automaker that does some strong ventilated seats this facet of Bentley.
The professionals are strong, nonetheless. Round city, the inline-six is in its component, and the EQ-Increase hybridization is elegant. This is among the smoothest sixes in the marketplace proper now, together with the one within the BMW X7 we drove simply after this.
Refinement and insulation was one other professional; you will not hear a lot inside, save for the Burmester sound system. There are higher sound methods, however not at this value level.
Use of Driver Help Package deal Plus and HUD, priced at $1,950 and $1,100, respectively, meant getting round was nearly as luxurious as you may get this facet of six figures. Every part works flawlessly, and the auto-braking even saved us from a possible accident.
Inside: Sub-$100K Luxurious Barge
The MBUX infotainment interface is an enormous a part of fashionable Merc interiors. It is nice, apart from the problems we touched on above, and wielding the GLE 53 is each a simple expertise and a premium one. Issues appear and feel good, and we nonetheless suppose Merc’s ambient lighting is the perfect within the biz. The wooden within the GLE felt unbelievable, however we did discover some squeaking after we pushed on the trim panels. That would worsen as these automobiles accumulate miles.
A real spotlight of the cockpit is the AMG-specific wheel. Like Audi, Merc has actually found out find out how to form a wheel. The paddles fall properly handy, and the touchpads for MBUX are nonetheless nice for navigating. We do want you would see the HUD higher with polarized sun shades glasses on, although, however that is an industry-wide situation and never Mercedes-specific.
A key space of competition is the house for rear-seat passengers. The rear seats aren’t as adjustable, however they nonetheless had greater than sufficient motion in them to get comfortable. The house behind them continues to be comparatively usable as effectively. Nevertheless, we would not shoehorn tall adults within the again for lengthy journeys.
Whereas Mercedes depends on large screens, the overwhelming majority of Merc’s local weather controls are nonetheless buttons. Most capabilities may be adjusted by way of the panel beneath the vents, and people that may’t be are simply discovered within the menu (which has a tough shortcut).
Except for the trunk, there’s loads of house on your issues contained in the GLE. Sure, baggage house is plentiful, however we’re speaking about small objects. A favourite check of ours is the “Large Water Bottle Check.” The GLE has eight cupholders, all of which match our Large Water Bottle. That is fairly good, as different automobiles within the $100K-ish vary can typically depart this straightforward little bit of practicality out.
Verdict: Placing The ‘Sport’ In SUV
The AMG GLE 53 sits in an odd spot. The X6 xDrive40i begins at $72,020, only a hair beneath the GLE. But it surely additionally has rattling close to 100 fewer horses to its identify. Climb as much as the X6 M50i, and you have now obtained a $100K price ticket and a 500-hp-plus V8, placing it in GLE 63 territory. Over at Porsche, the story is identical. The Cayenne Coupe begins at $78,850. Attempt to get near the 53, and a Cayenne Coupe S runs you $92,450 earlier than you lose hours on the model’s on-line configurator. On high of that, the GLE is best outfitted from the manufacturing facility.
Fortunately, the GLE is an effective SUV, as a result of if it had been horrible, the phase would have been cut up by the opposite Germans. As a substitute, what now we have right here is the Goldilocks Coupe SUV.
Positive, we nonetheless desire a sports activities automotive on that drive by the mountains, however when you want an SUV and a sports activities automotive and a folks hauler and a commuter automotive, and a luxurious automotive and, and, and, then the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 is a fairly rattling good place to get all that after which some.