Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe 2020 Review

A nip and tuck, some new bling and, ahem, some augmentation under the hood. Don’t worry, this isn’t another episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians: the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe has officially landed in Australia.

Following on from the inaugural heavily-raked model that arrived in 2016 as an eventual rival to the BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne Coupe and Audi Q8, the new Mercedes GLE Coupe revisits the oft-maligned coupe-SUV formula.

Key among the changes for this take-two model is a new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe variant with a twin-turbo inline six and mild-hybrid properties, an advanced suspension system and a host of new technologies.

The new GLE Coupe already looks like the choice of vehicle for reality TV stars, yet it holds a surprising degree of substance on the road in second-gen form.

The petrol-only 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe range is anchored by the GLE 450 4MATIC, which starts at $137,000 plus on-road costs.

Separated from its mainstream GLE brethren by its over-sized grille complete with 15 vertical strips and a Benz star in a double ring at its centre, the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe sits at the mid-point of the line-up, priced at $171,800 plus on-road costs.

It’s a significant jump on the now-superseded V6-powered GLE 43 that was launched in Australia late in 2016 priced from $135,530 plus ORCs.

Residing at the top of the GLE Coupe line-up is the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ priced from $222,700 plus ORCs, which lands in the coming months.

Until then, the GLE 53 driven here is distinguished visually by narrow headlights, an A-wing in the front apron, a silver chrome-plated splitter, over-sized wheel-arches and two chromed twin tailpipes.

Inside, the 53 dons red colour accents, AMG lettering for the seats, black roof liner, Nappa leather upholstery and brushed aluminium accents.

The 53 includes the standard GLE’s Widescreen Cockpit and ‘Hey Mercedes’ MBUX operating and display system. The instrument cluster has a slew of AMG-specific set-up options and information tables, including slope, incline and level when in off-road modes. A performance steering wheel is also standard.

Other big-ticket items include a high-end Burmester sound system, panoramic glass sunroof, wireless phone charging, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. A head-up display, ambient interior LED lighting with 64 colours and illuminated AMG lettering on the door scuff plates are standard equipment, too.

On the safety front, the GLE gets the usual multi-camera 360-degree surround-view system, all-round parking sensors and an automated parking assistant as standard equipment. There’s also nine airbags, a Driving Assistance Package with steering assist, lane change assist, blind spot assist and cross-traffic functions, autonomous emergency braking and the latest electronic acronyms, for a full-complement of five ANCAP stars.

The GLE 53 is backed by a five-year factory warranty and has servicing intervals of 12 months/25,000km. Service packs are also available upon purchase, priced at $2800 for three years or $5200 for five years.

Elsewhere, the GLE 53 forgoes a spare tyre for an inflation kit and features a 2700kg braked towing capacity.

The new 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe still takes direct cues from the GLE wagon on which it is based, however there are some key differences for 2020.

The GLE Coupe’s wheelbase has been trimmed by 60mm from the wagon to improve dynamic response, yet it is still bigger than the model it replaces: 39mm longer (4939mm) and 7mm wider.

In addition, the GLE Coupe’s rear door openings have grown by 35mm and there are modest increases in most key cabin dimensions including an extra 28mm in front-to-rear legroom.

The GLE Coupe’s 655 litres of luggage space extends to 1790 litres with the 40/20/40-split folding rear seat stowed. This reflects load area dimensions of 1996mm (+87mm) by 1080mm wide (+72mm).

At the heart of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe is a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that delivers 320kW and 520Nm via an AMG ‘Speedshift’ TCT nine-speed conventional torque-converter automatic transmission.

The fun doesn’t stop there: the engine features an orthodox gas-driven turbocharger supplemented by an electric compressor, a mild-hybrid system and 48-volt electrics.

The engine lifts power by 33kW to 320kW, while torque remains the same at 520Nm. However, the mild hybrid’s ‘EQ Boost’ starter-generator can briefly add an extra 16kW and more-than-handy 250Nm. The 53 distributes drive to a 4MATIC+ fully variable permanent all-wheel drive system.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h officially takes 5.3sec, while fuel consumption is rated at a respectable 9.3L/100km.

The 53 rolls on the latest AMG Ride Control+ air suspension, working with AMG Active Ride Control, which has two electro-mechanical actuators operating independently of each other on the front and rear axle. Responding up to 1000 times per second, the system provides a flatter and more neutral cornering stance. It is also claimed to provide improved straight-line ride quality.

The air suspension includes continually adjustable dampers which can be switched through three modes by the driver – comfort, sport and sport+. The system is also height-adjustable and self-levelling – higher for more clearance and lower for better fuel economy.

Electro-mechanical steering can be adjusted through two modes, the front brakes are monster 400x36mm internally ventilated and perforated discs working on two-piston fixed callipers, and the GLE 53 is offered with 20-inch through to 22-inch light alloy wheels.

There are seven AMG Dynamic Select drive programs to adapt such things as the responsiveness of the engine, transmission, damping and even exhaust sound. Two of those modes, trail and sand, are focused on off-road driving.

We cringe to say it, but there really is something quite commanding about the driving position of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe.

Maybe it’s the soft Nappa leather-lined driver’s chair, the brace of 12.3-inch screens or the huge grab-rails that reside at the bottom of its eye-catching centre fascia.

Irrespectively, the GLE 53 is imbued with a true sense of occasion, complemented by items including its cranking audio system. It feels properly opulent inside the cabin, enamouring occupants with quality touch-points, excellent craftsmanship and an assortment of creature comforts, including climate controls and USB ports across both rows.

The driving position itself affords an excellent frontal view of the road, even if the bonnet dips away sharply, while the rear vista is compromised slightly by the raked roofline, but not prohibitively so.

Speaking of rooflines, rear seat accommodation is noticeably better this time round, with space for two six-foot adults on moderate trips. You wouldn’t want to squeeze your overgrown teenage nephew in there for too long – such is the proximity of its sloping silhouette – but legroom is ample, as is shoulder-room.

The GLE Coupe also features three top-tether child seat anchorage points, the outer pews with ISOFIX attachments.

Further back, boot space has improved over the predecessor, but it’s still far from the best in segment, with dimensions that would fit a designer pram or a couple of full-size suitcases, but not much more.

Under the floor resides a giant space for a space-saver spare tyre, but oddly there’s only an inflation kit.

The height of the luggage area is 60mm lower than before, however a prominent lip means it may still be a pinch taller for some users.

Arguably the biggest improvement for the new 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe transpires on the road.

Imbued with its surfeit of new technology and engine, the 53 feels suitably sporty and agile on the road, but without any of the huge comfort compromises that tend to afflict other coupe-SUVs.

Beginning with the engine, it is a veritable cracker, delivering the effortless, silky-smooth progress commensurate with this level of SUV in daily conveyance, but cementing itself with whip-like expediency when required.

Around town, the engine works in concert with its nine-speed automatic gearbox to amble away smoothly from a standstill and build speed in a linear and uniform fashion, translating with a peak torque range between 1800-5800rpm and a peak power point of 6100rpm.

The torque of the 3.0-litre inline six is such that the gearbox doesn’t have to hunt gears either, even when building speed to overtake or reach highway passage.

Equally, the new mild-hybrid system is almost imperceptible in its function – which is arguably the biggest compliment you could wish for. The system takes effect during low-load coasting scenarios or when approaching stationary situations without detracting from the sporty character of the vehicle.

Winding the GLE 53’s steering wheel-mounted drive select dial to Sport+, there is enough urge here to satisfy the majority of enthusiasts.

In headier driving, the same drivetrain combination is equally enamouring. The engine becomes raucous and raspy, especially as it climbs into the upper echelons, and the all-wheel drive system allows power to be doled out almost clinically to each of the GLE 53’s four wheels.

The 0-100km/h figure of 5.3 seconds is the most common performance gauge, but the in-gear or rolling acceleration is what really defines the drivetrain.

Similarly, the mild-hybrid components chime in benignly to take away any big hesitations and even ‘torque fill’ between upshifts. It’s all very swift and co-ordinated, met with equally powerful braking to wash off speed in a hurry.

Best of all, the driveline is relatively efficient in real-world driving. We managed 10.5L/100km in a 700km loop that included highway, mountain and urban driving.

While the engine can cater to all demands, the GLE 53 still errs on the sportier side of the handling ledger.

On billiard-table smooth surfaces, it wafts along nonchalantly, reflecting bumps in the road through its 21-inch wheels but without jarring or crashing. Similarly, road noise and wind noise are well hushed, without being segment leading.

On a b-grade roads familiar with regional Australia, there’s a bit more going on. Niggling imperfections are still prone to ‘tremoring’ through the cabin, with noticeable rebound occurring well after an obstacle has passed.

Approaching an extended section of broken bitumen, or worse still, larger washouts, the GLE 53 is also prone to becoming floaty. We deliberately picked out a section of road that would exacerbate the issue, and at one point we were almost bouncing from one obstacle to the next.

Tuning the suspension to sport mode took away the floatiness but imposed more prominent thudding over bumps in its place.

Crucially though, the movement is all vertical, with none of the lateral head-toss that tended to feature in the predecessor GLE Coupe model.

The trade-off here is the GLE 53’s broad dynamic envelope.

For a circa 2.5-tonne SUV, it handles remarkably well. Body control is excellent – a virtue of its air suspension and two electro-mechanical actuators on the front and rear axles – with excellent turn-in response and a high degree of precision during fast changes in direction.

The GLE Coupe shifts weight gracefully to its outside wheels during corners, hunkering down and clinging on despite the presence of mid-corner undulation.

Similarly, the variable-ratio steering weighs up nicely through corners and the all-wheel drive system and electronics suite provide a reassuring, stable hand during all pursuits to cultivate driver confidence.

This is about as convincing as you get for a dynamic SUV, size and weight withstanding.

Granted, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe isn’t for everyone.

However, as the first generation proved, there is a growing following of fans of these coupe-SUVs.

Like a long-running reality TV program, you could easily learn to live with it – even though you may not like to admit it.

How much does the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupe cost?
Price: $171,800 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 320kW/520Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 213g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)