2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe Review

　　

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　Coupe-style SUVs are big business for luxury automakers. So when Mercedes-Benz introduced a redesigned version of the midsize GLE last year, we knew it was just a matter of time before we saw a new version of the GLE Coupe. And after a year hiatus, the Mercedes GLE Coupe is back for 2021.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe AMG GLE 53 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$233/mo  for GLE-Class Coupe AMG GLE 53

　　GLE-Class Coupe AMG GLE 53

　　AMG GLE 53 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) (Most Popular) - $76,500 MSRPAMG GLE 63 S 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $116,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Compared to the old GLE Coupe, the new second-generation model has more features, more refinement and greater capabilities. The MBUX infotainment system is standard on all models and has garnered high praise for its ease of use and cutting-edge tech. There are also plenty of available advanced safety features and driver assistants for added security.

　　So how does the new GLE Coupe compare against the rivals such as the Audi SQ8, BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne Coupe? And how big of a deal is its reduced practicality compared to the regular GLE? Check out the categories of our Expert Rating below to help you decide.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the GLE-Class Coupe drive? We tested the AMG GLE 53. It feels quick around town but ultimately acceleration is average for a sporty SUV. Our test vehicle covered 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds. Braking performance is solid, with consistent stops from 60 mph in just 113 feet. The AMG GLE 53 also has impressive handling limits, allowing you to drive this big SUV with confidence.

　　We wish the steering had more feel to it, but the AMG GLE 53 is easy to steer and demands little effort from the driver, even at higher speeds. Also making this SUV easy to drive is the ultra-smooth turbocharged inline-six engine with its hybrid assist. The stop-start system is unobtrusive, as are the shifts from the nine-speed automatic transmission.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the GLE-Class Coupe? The AMG GLE 53 Coupe's interior is serene and quiet. The heated front seats, plus our test vehicle's ventilated and massaging versions, provide excellent all-day comfort. The rear seats don't slide or recline but are pleasant for adults, even on long road trips. Our test vehicle had the optional Acoustic Comfort package, which features extra insulation and specially coated glass, and we found it suppressed ambient noise quite well. The four-zone climate control system is strong — you can set it and forget it. The optional heated armrests are a must-have for colder climates.

　　Alas, the ride quality isn't so great. It's overly stiff, especially at lower speeds and on less than perfect roads. Things smooth out at higher speeds, but the trade-off at lower speeds makes the AMG GLE 53 feel less elegant.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The front row of the GLE's cabin is near perfect. It exhibits excellent build quality and offers very good usability. The driving position provides a commanding view of the road with plenty of adjustability. It's quite roomy up front, but due to the low roof styling, second-row passengers will need to duck their heads to get in. Once there, there's ample legroom. The low roofline reduces rearward visibility, but the optional surround-view cameras do a good job filling in the gaps when parking.

　　We like the GLE's controls, from the touchscreen and hard buttons to the intuitive touchpad controller. Functions such as track/preset skipping, home and back are right on the pad, and it has useful haptic feedback. The steering wheel touchpads are also useful but are too easy to brush inadvertently.

　　

Technology

9.0/10

　　How’s the tech? Mercedes' MBUX infotainment system is a technologic tour de force. It's easy to use and capable of controlling most every function through voice commands. The Burmester audio system in our test vehicle fully enveloped the driver in rich music, but we wish the max volume could go a tad higher.

　　One exceptionally helpful feature is the nav system's (optional) augmented reality that overlays street names and arrows atop a live front-view video when making turns. For safety, a number of advanced safety and driving aids are standard. Semi-automated driving features are available through the Driver Assistance package. We found the features easy to use, and they help reduce fatigue in stop-and-go traffic.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The GLE Coupe's cabin is well designed. Cubbies and compartments abound for stashing drinks and items. The cargo area is compromised somewhat by the coupe-like styling compared to the regular GLE. Still, its 27.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats is decent for this class of vehicle. You'll be able to load multiple pieces of carry-on luggage upright with no problem.

　　Got kids? The rear seats have four easy-to-access car seat anchors, and there's plenty of room for even the bulkiest child safety seats. The GLE's max towing capacity, even in AMG trim, is pretty strong at 7,700 pounds when equipped with the Class III trailer hitch option.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the AMG GLE 53 Coupe will get 20 mpg combined (18 city/23 highway), which is about average for a midsize luxury performance SUV. We got 20.1 mpg on our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, indicating that the EPA's numbers are realistic.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the GLE-Class Coupe a good value? The GLE Coupe can get pretty expensive, but in general you'll feel like you're getting your money's worth. Impeccable build quality is a must for this price range, and the Mercedes absolutely delivers. The leather, aluminum and impressive technology all help justify the expense.

　　The four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is average, but the same coverage for the powertrain is less than what most competitors offer. Roadside assistance matches rivals in years but comes with a 50,000-mileage cap.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　Despite the AMG badge, the GLE 53 is not as athletic as others in the class. But it is plenty competent going around curves and quick enough for most people in a straight line. All that capability does come at the expense of a more relaxed ride, but if you want the AMG, you're already willing to accept a few compromises for higher performance.

　　To that performance, the AMG GLE 53 adds loads of refinement both inside and out. You will be hard-pressed to find this amount of luxury and cutting-edge technology among the competition.

　　

Which GLE-Class Coupe does zzdcar recommend?

Given its satisfying performance and long list of standard features, we'd choose the AMG GLE 53 Coupe over its more expensive sibling. Most optional features are stand-alone, so consider adding the Driver Assistance Package Plus for advanced driver aids or the AMG Dynamic Plus package to get Mercedes' impressive Active Ride Control suspension.

　　

2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe models

The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is a five-passenger luxury SUV that comes in two available models: AMG GLE 53 Coupe and AMG GLE 63 S Coupe. Feature highlights include:

　　AMG GLE 53 Coupe

　　The standard GLE Coupe comes with the following features:

　　Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (429 horsepower, 384 lb-ft of torque) Nine-speed automatic transmission All-wheel drive Adaptive LED headlights 21-inch wheels Adaptive air suspension (can adjust ride height and suspension firmness) Power liftgate Panoramic sunroof Power-adjustable, heated front seats Simulated leather upholstery Digital gauge cluster 12.3-inch central touchscreen with MBUX infotainment system Navigation system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Wireless charging station 13-speaker Burmester sound systemEvery GLE also comes with:

　　Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Forward collision mitigation (warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't respond in time) Driver attention monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Mercedes' Pre-Safe system (quickly adjusts seat belts, headrests and windows if an imminent collision is detected)AMG GLE 63 S Coupe

　　This model adds on to the GLE 53 with:

　　Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (603 hp, 627 lb-ft) 22-inch wheels Aluminum shift paddles Track Pace data-logging program Premium leather upholstery Electronic limited-slip rear differential AMG performance exhaust systemKey optional packages for the GLE Coupe include:

　　Driver Assistance Package Plus

　　A collection of advanced driver aids such as:

　　Adaptive cruise control (keeps a safe following distance from the car ahead even in traffic and can bring the GLE Coupe to a complete stop) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Evasive steering assist (applies additional steering force if the driver begins an evasive maneuver to sufficiently avoid objects detected in the vehicle's path) Collision mitigation with cross-traffic function (warns the driver of vehicles entering an intersection and can apply braking force to prevent or reduce a collision)AMG Dynamic Plus package

　　Upgraded performance options, including:

　　AMG Active Ride Control with adaptive dampers to assist cornering AMG high-performance brakes with red calipers AMG performance faux-suede steering wheel Steering wheel controls to adjust drive modes and suspension settings

　　

2021 GLE-Class Coupe Highlights

Trim: AMG GLE 53AMG GLE 63 SAMG GLE 53

　　

Base MSRP	$76,500
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$233/month
Seating	5 seats
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles