Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (2015 – 2019) Review

Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (2015 – 2019) Verdict

Immense road presence. Big improvement on the ML on which it is essentially based. 350d engine offers all the performance you need. Impressive nine-speed automatic.

Limited rear visibility makes it hard to park. High boot lip isn't ideal for loading pushchairs.

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Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (2015 – 2019) handling and engines

• Engines range from GLE 350 d to GLE 63 AMG
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 13–32 mpg

The GLE Coupe makes most sense with the 350d diesel engine. Despite the name it actually uses a 3.0-litre V6 engine, albeit it turbocharged to provide 258PS. It may be the 'entry-level' model in the range but it offers more than enough performance, helped in no small part by the mammoth 620Nm of torque which is available from low revs, just 1600rpm.

This means it pulls like a train and you'll never be left wanting for pace. It's not quite as quick as the 35d engine in the BMW X6, the GLE Coupe taking 7.0 seconds to get from 0-62mph compared to 6.7 seconds for the X6, but in everyday driving it feels just as potent.

Economy is reasonable with a claimed 39.2mpg - we'd expect to see around 30mpg in real world driving - while emissions of 187g/km put it in VED band J. 

The GLE Coupe benefits from the excellent Mercedes-Benz nine-speed automatic. It may seem overly complex to have so many ratios, but the 9G-TRONIC gearbox delivers seamless shifts and kicks down quickly to make overtaking effortless. Add in 4Matic four-wheel drive and traction is impressive given all the torque available, even in the wet.

Given that the GLE Coupe is based on the old ML, you'd be forgiven for having concerns over the handling. But the GLE has had a complete overhaul including - crucially - a new steering system. As a result, it's a completely different animal and far more confidence-inspiring in corners.

The steering is nicely weighted and responsive for a big car, yet the GLE Coupe rarely feels nimble. It's an SUV that's great for covering big motorway miles, but is far from ideal for negotiating down country lanes. It does actually corner very well, but you never forget that this is a car that's two metres wide and weighs 2.2 tonnes. 

The upside is that it does ride particularly well, even when fitted with the 21-inch standard alloys. That's down to the self-levelling air suspension and active damping which comes as standard. It means the GLE Coupe is quiet over bumps and deals well with poorly surfaced roads.

Aside from the diesel, there's also a 450 AMG model, powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol with 367PS while the outright performance model is the mammoth AMG 63 S which has a 5.5-litre V8 engine producing 585PS and giving the big GLE Coupe a 0-62mph time of just 4.2 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (2015 – 2019) interior

• Boot space is 650–1720 litres

Despite its coupe-esque profile, the GLE Coupe is still an SUV with a spacious cabin that has enough room for five adults. The rear is slightly compromised by the sloping roof, but that's only really an issue for passengers over six-foot.

The high-quality interior has a solid feel to it and is dominated by a high-mounted eight-inch colour screen that's controlled via a hefty metal-rimmed dial on the centre console. The infotainment system isn't the most modern-looking but it's fairly intuitive and the navigation is quick to route.

One some of the rather dated stereo buttons and and air conditioning controls let the GLE Coupe down and are at odds with the rest of the modern interior. However, the driving position is excellent with lots of adjustment in the steering column and seat, so you'll get comfortable whatever your size.

The 650-litre boot is only around 40 litres less than a standard GLE and the rear seats fold down to create a big load area. That said the standard boot is deep enough for everyday use, although the sheer height of the GLE Coupe means it can be hard to lift heavy things - like pushchairs - up into it.

Navigation, leather seats with electronic controls, dual zone climate control and a powered tailgate are all standard, along with rear privacy glass and ambient lighting. The GLE Coupe also gets plenty of safety kit, which includes crosswind assist to help maintain the car's balance in high winds. 

Standard equipment 

AMG gets 21-inch alloy wheels with 275/50 R 20 tyres, AMG bodystyling, nine-speed automatic gearbox, blind spot assist, crosswind assist, AirMatic air suspension with sport and comfort driving modes and self-levelling functions, keyless go, a powered tailgate, reversing camera, LED daytime running lights and headlights, ambient lighting, leather sports seats, leather steering wheel with multifunction controls, climate control, eight-inch TFT display with navigation, DAB and touchpad, rear privacy glass, Bluetooth, auto lights and wipers plus traffic sign recognition

Designo adds panoramic electric sunroof, active park assist with 360 degree camera, illuminated running boards, Harman Kardon surround sound, leather front seats with heating, cooling and massage function, heated rear leather seats and temperature controlled cup holders.

Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (2015 – 2019) models and specs

On sale until July 2020

On sale until October 2018

On sale until November 2017

On sale until April 2017