Experienced by Adrian McQueen
Photography by Adrenaline Lifestyles
What a great time to get a chance to review the 2021 AMG GLE 53 Coupé. The review week called for sunny and mild weather, as well as capping the week off with our Cars and Brunch event. This beast from Mercedes-Benz garnered much attention and discussion from patrons at the event and onlookers throughout the week. This luxurious beast is a force to be reckoned with.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, formerly Mercedes-Benz M-Class, is a mid-size luxury SUV 4×4 produced by the German automaker Mercedes-Benz since 1997. The GLE-Class name was used in 2015 for the facelifted Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the new five-door coupé derivative GLE-Class Coupe which was unveiled to the public in January 2015 at the North American International Auto Show. The GLE is slotted in between the smaller GLC-Class and the larger GLS-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe is the coupé version has a sporty exterior that is appeasing to the eye. It is built in Alabama with the future GLE-Class on which it is based. Upon first look, you are captured by the designo Cardinal Red Metallic paint that covers the exterior, the massive matte black 22-inch AMG Cross-Spoke Forged Wheels. The AMG Night Package added gloss black accents all around as well as blacked-out exhaust tips. The coupé design also comes equipped with LED headlights and high beam assist, privacy glass, side-mirror projector lights and a power tailgate. The Mercedes-Benz emblem on the grille is prominent and fitting for a statement maker such as this.
Now on to the design and quality of the interior keeps the luxurious feel going. The GLE 53 came with AMG Black Exclusive Nappa Leather with Diamond Stitching. The Natural Grain Grey Oak Wood Trim gives the interior a premium feel. The GLE has two large 12.3” displays that cover the dashboard. The sport seats with red contrasting stitching, a sport steering wheel, red seatbelts and aluminum accents all add to this magnificent package. There are even more luxury features such as heated power-adjustable leather seats, dual-zone climate control and optional features such as ventilated front seats and four-zone climate control. Two things that really stood out to me were the massaging seats and the light show with the 64-color ambient LED lighting. Nighttime is the AMG is really fun.
I already mentioned that GLE comes with twin 12.3-inch infotainment displays with the AMG models support the latest MBUX software interface. The infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Satellite Radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot and more. This system is also used to monitor the vehicle in track mode and the different sport features. There is so much going on with the system that it is intimidating to really use in the beginning but over time you get the hang of it. I loved the heated and cooled cupholders as well as the four-zone climate control. This was needed for my children that were passengers in the rear.
Now on to the driving of the AMG GLE 53 Coupé. It was an absolute adrenaline filled experience. Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz also has an EQ Boost system that can add up to 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque to the 429 hp and 384 lb-ft that are already being kicked out. The throttle response once the GLE was put into Sport+ mode was “change snatching”. I use that term because if you have any loose change in your pocket, it is sure to end up out of your pockets and on the seat after the launch. The suspension felt great on winding and twisty roads. The GLE had decent fuel mileage coming in at 18 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg combined. The Acoustic Comfort Package cuts out most outside noise with the added cabin insulation and windows covered in sound-absorbing film. The AMG Performance Exhaust System let off a growling sound that really fit the sporty theme.
Safety is very important, so Mercedes made sure that all the boxes were checked in this department. Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have released crash-test results for the 2021 GLE-class but key safety features include standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go technology and lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist. The driver assistance package loads the GLE up with the brand’s finest safety technology.
Mercedes-Benz has a standard warranty and maintenance package. Warranty and Maintenance Coverage. The limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles, the powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles and there is no complimentary scheduled maintenance. The 2021 AMG GLE 53 Coupé sits in a highly competitive class amongst the Porsche’s Cayenne coupe, BMW X6 M50i and the Audi Q8. The kitted out 2021 AMG GLE 53 Coupé that we tested came in at $105,324.00.
Overall, I felt the 2021 AMG GLE 53 Coupé is a pretty solid vehicle that is sure to do well in the market. It looks great, built for comfort, plenty of speed and agility, with enough tech to fill all your infotainment needs. Onlooker response about GLE during my review period was mainly positive. Some likened the look of it to the BMW X6, but still pointed out distinctions that set the two a part. It was definitely a hit at Cars and Brunch, being that it served as a reveal for all that were in attendance. Please enjoy the photo gallery.
