Published:
23 October 2020Despite the connotations the Mercedes GLE’s AMG badging might conjure, opening its large, heavy doors doesn’t reveal the orgy of carbonfibre and Alcantara you might find in some of Affalterbach’s full-fat V8 models. For the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, Mercedes has instead elected to subtly complement the standard model’s luxurious credentials with a few modest sporting touches, in order to gently elevate it above its more workaday range-mates.
So the quartet of rectangular air vents that populate the central dashboard fascia are still set within a stretch of tasteful dark veneer panelling that also covers the centre console, while abundant chrome brightwork and customisable ambient lighting continue to provide an alluring visual contrast against the darker elements of the Mercedes GLE’s interior. The dual screens that comprise the MBUX infotainment system add a welcome splash of technological sophistication to a cabin that already looks and feels suitably plush and expensive.
The only real visual cues that hint at the 53’s performance status are bright-red seat belts, discreet AMG badges and the generously bolstered bucket seats to which they’re affixed.
For the most part it’s a tastefully appointed and suitably luxurious place in which to spend time – although some of our testers weren’t so enamoured of the synthetic Artico leather upholstery that covered the top of the dash.
