What is it?
If you’re looking for a Merc alternative to the Porsche Cayenne Coupé or the Range Rover Sport – and are prepared to fight your way through the Daimler-owned firm’s confusing nomenclature – you’ll find your way to this, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, the second-generation high-performance SUV coupé that made its debut in Geneva a bit over a year ago but is rather newer in this country.
It’s a typical AMG product – very thoroughly developed, extremely rapid and richly equipped to the extent that the only thing the company’s people could think of to add to our test car – apart from pricey towing and off-road gadgetry – was £685 worth of brilliant metallic paint. Oh, and a set of handsome 22in wheels to replace the standard 20s. It’s big, over five metres long, and spacious enough for a seven-seat configuration. The third row is really for kids only, but that’s mainly because the armchair-like front bucket seats take so much space.
The engine is the latest iteration of the AMG-developed twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol straight six, running a 48V integrated starter/generator that contributes 21bhp and 184lb ft of torque and helps with extremes of acceleration and smooths power interruptions – not that there are many, given that the GLE 53 has AMG’s latest Quickshift nine-speed auto and a 4Matic all-wheel drive system that is extremely quick and flexible about sending power wherever it’s needed.
The car is AMG-ised via a toothy 'Panamericana' grille, bonnet power bulges, different bumpers and a big rear diffuser. The GLE 53 is undoubtedly imposing and eye-catching but it’s now handsome in a Cayenne or Range Rover way. Many of its styling cues are repeated from other Mercedes models, and unless you’re up to date or can see the badge, you may have trouble knowing exactly where this model sits in the Mercedes firmament.
The interior is plush and well lined with brightwork, with special AMG graphics for the steering wheel and sophisticated, screen-based instrumentation. The seats are upright and not exactly sporty but they’re supportive and luxurious. Your overall impression is of a densely equipped and beautifully finished cabin.
The whole plot weighs 2250kg, less than many SUVs this size. It can run a 0-62mph acceleration time of 5.3sec (with top speed governed, as usual, at 155mph) and it delivers combined fuel consumption of 30.4mpg while emitting 212g/km of CO2.
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Opinions and impressions.
So several readers think the interior is not good. It would be good to know what interiors they do like...what do you seek in your car to make it good? I do not own a GLE but have looked at and sat in them. They are very big and the styling has challenges but the interiors are very nice places to be...loaded in all modern technology, not impossible to understand, have comfortable seats and are very well made. You make not like the styling detail but I am puzzled why you both hate it so much. What would you buy?...I would prefer a Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid but you might hate that as well!
Autocar reviews
Autocar reviews proportionately far more AMG models than the % of AMG models sold within Mercedes. Especially when many AMG reviewed aren't very impressive.
I agree the interior is dire. The instrument graphics cheap and nasty, and the grille with vertical bars looks merely grafted on. There are serious problems in Mercedes's design dept.
Here is me thinking Mercedes
Here is me thinking Mercedes are a premium car makers ,that interior is like a call girls bedroom whats with all the childish strip ( ha ha ) lights all over the place Naf Naf Naf and has been said over priced for such a grosse car
Curious.