Home 
Car Articles Reviews Reviews Listings Mercedes-Benz Reviews
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe GLE450 AMG 4MATIC (A) Review
22 Jan 2016|27,687 views
Let us begin by explaining the badge behind the Mercedes GLE450 AMG Coupe - the first AMG sports model - and its purpose in the company's lineup before rambling on about how good or bad our experience in the car was.
The GLE badge replaces the M-Class moniker and 'Coupe' is a new stoopy-roofed variant of Mercedes' mid-sized luxury Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). The logic behind this new name is that from hereon - all SUVs and crossovers bearing the three-pointed star will begin with the letter G.
This is done in homage to the legendary Gelandewagen or G-Wagen - more commonly known today as the G-Class while the letter on the rightmost end of its name denotes the relationship to its relative in the Mercedes range - the E-Class.
Exterior
Just like its Bavarian competitor, the GLE450 AMG Coupe's yay-or-nay design statement is a loud and proud one. The aim was to create a car that blends the sporty delineation of a coupe with the commanding characteristics of an SUV.
 |
The car's bubble-shaped flowing side contours, large wheel arches and elongated greenhouse will surely get its driver noticed and set tongues on fire but don't expect their dialogue to be exclusively flattering. This sort of fusion may not tickle everyone's taste buds but it sure did ours.
To remind occupants that they are in a sports rather than off-road car given its 1,700mm height - Mercedes has designed the GLE450 AMG Coupe with gaping air intakes and an aggressive set of 21-inch wheels. Think of it as a CLA 45 AMG that's been given the monster truck treatment.
 |
Interior
We'd probably earn ourselves a bounty on our heads for saying this but slight waves of disappointment hit us once we stepped inside the cabin and had a good look around.
For a car that is created to revolutionise Mercedes' off-road range - a model that the company claims as highly emotional and one that will pave the way for future performance-oriented models - its dash layout doesn't quite speak to you or wow you as much as its external proportions do.
The flat black plastic housing the major secondary control buttons and knobs look a tad cheap even if they don't feel it and the rotary switches seem a little flimsy for a car with a $381,888 (as of 11th January 2016) price tag.
The rest of the GLE450 AMG Coupe's cabin does still feature plenty of the quality elements that you'd expect in a Mercedes despite its mundane design - such as the pair of beautifully crafted AMG sports seats up front and three-spoke AMG sports steering wheel wrapped in black Nappa leather.
Plus, it's got the necessary storage spaces - including cup holders that will keep your drink cold - to hold your barang in place while you violently drive it around.
Practicalities haven't been forgotten either. With its 4,900mm long and 2,129mm wide dimensions, the SUV will easily house three full-sized Asian adults with legroom to spare. The only setback - just like in the X6 - is the coupe-like roofline that might prove as a problem for passengers on the taller end of the height measurement scale.
 |
The Drive
Output from the GLE450 AMG Coupe's Bi-Turbocharged V6 is more than adequate at 362 strong German horses and 520Nm of twisting force to all four wheels. The engine pulls hard with plenty of low to mid range torque and the car covers good ground with impressive speed.
Paired to that beast of an engine is Mercedes' nine-speed automatic transmission that switches temperaments like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde according to whichever mode you set it in via the 'Dynamic Select' controller, which also modulates the steering weight, suspension and throttle response. Modes in order from left to right on the knob are - Individual, Sport Plus, Sport, Comfort and Slippery.
The gearshifts smoothen out a little once the car is warmed up and is more aggressive in Sport and Sport Plus modes - along with a more weighted steering and firmer suspension. It is in these modes that the GLE450 AMG Coupe really behaves like a sports car.
We left the car mostly in Sport Plus not just for the performance priviledges it provided but also the slew of seductive backfiring brap brap brap noises it made each time we shifted up or down a gear.
The car doesn't lean too much in corners or lift on acceleration and its steering is quick-acting. Aside from the one time its tail flicked out a of line a little under heavy throttle - driving the GLE450 AMG Coupe was an all-in-all pleasant experience.
Conclusion
If you're in the market for a coupe-type SUV (judging by today's motoring trends, a number of you probably are) and want something that tilts to the more luxurious side of things, the GLE450 AMG Coupe is quite the car.
If only this angry Mercedes 'soft-roader' delivered a little more on the AMG proposition. Otherwise, should you itch for something sportier, you may want to check out the BMW X6.
Let us begin by explaining the badge behind the Mercedes GLE450 AMG Coupe - the first AMG sports model - and its purpose in the company's lineup before rambling on about how good or bad our experience in the car was.
The GLE badge replaces the M-Class moniker and 'Coupe' is a new stoopy-roofed variant of Mercedes' mid-sized luxury Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). The logic behind this new name is that from hereon - all SUVs and crossovers bearing the three-pointed star will begin with the letter G.
This is done in homage to the legendary Gelandewagen or G-Wagen - more commonly known today as the G-Class while the letter on the rightmost end of its name denotes the relationship to its relative in the Mercedes range - the E-Class.
Exterior
Just like its Bavarian competitor, the GLE450 AMG Coupe's yay-or-nay design statement is a loud and proud one. The aim was to create a car that blends the sporty delineation of a coupe with the commanding characteristics of an SUV.
The car's bubble-shaped flowing side contours, large wheel arches and elongated greenhouse will surely get its driver noticed and set tongues on fire but don't expect their dialogue to be exclusively flattering. This sort of fusion may not tickle everyone's taste buds but it sure did ours.
To remind occupants that they are in a sports rather than off-road car given its 1,700mm height - Mercedes has designed the GLE450 AMG Coupe with gaping air intakes and an aggressive set of 21-inch wheels. Think of it as a CLA 45 AMG that's been given the monster truck treatment.
Interior
We'd probably earn ourselves a bounty on our heads for saying this but slight waves of disappointment hit us once we stepped inside the cabin and had a good look around.
For a car that is created to revolutionise Mercedes' off-road range - a model that the company claims as highly emotional and one that will pave the way for future performance-oriented models - its dash layout doesn't quite speak to you or wow you as much as its external proportions do.
The flat black plastic housing the major secondary control buttons and knobs look a tad cheap even if they don't feel it and the rotary switches seem a little flimsy for a car with a $381,888 (as of 11th January 2016) price tag.
We'd probably earn ourselves a bounty on our heads for saying this but slight waves of disappointment hit us once we stepped inside the cabin and had a good look around.
For a car that is created to revolutionise Mercedes' off-road range - a model that the company claims as highly emotional and one that will pave the way for future performance-oriented models - its dash layout doesn't quite speak to you or wow you as much as its external proportions do.
The flat black plastic housing the major secondary control buttons and knobs look a tad cheap even if they don't feel it and the rotary switches seem a little flimsy for a car with a $381,888 (as of 11th January 2016) price tag.
The rest of the GLE450 AMG Coupe's cabin does still feature plenty of the quality elements that you'd expect in a Mercedes despite its mundane design - such as the pair of beautifully crafted AMG sports seats up front and three-spoke AMG sports steering wheel wrapped in black Nappa leather.
Plus, it's got the necessary storage spaces - including cup holders that will keep your drink cold - to hold your barang in place while you violently drive it around.
Practicalities haven't been forgotten either. With its 4,900mm long and 2,129mm wide dimensions, the SUV will easily house three full-sized Asian adults with legroom to spare. The only setback - just like in the X6 - is the coupe-like roofline that might prove as a problem for passengers on the taller end of the height measurement scale.
The Drive
Output from the GLE450 AMG Coupe's Bi-Turbocharged V6 is more than adequate at 362 strong German horses and 520Nm of twisting force to all four wheels. The engine pulls hard with plenty of low to mid range torque and the car covers good ground with impressive speed.
Paired to that beast of an engine is Mercedes' nine-speed automatic transmission that switches temperaments like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde according to whichever mode you set it in via the 'Dynamic Select' controller, which also modulates the steering weight, suspension and throttle response. Modes in order from left to right on the knob are - Individual, Sport Plus, Sport, Comfort and Slippery.The gearshifts smoothen out a little once the car is warmed up and is more aggressive in Sport and Sport Plus modes - along with a more weighted steering and firmer suspension. It is in these modes that the GLE450 AMG Coupe really behaves like a sports car.
We left the car mostly in Sport Plus not just for the performance priviledges it provided but also the slew of seductive backfiring brap brap brap noises it made each time we shifted up or down a gear.The car doesn't lean too much in corners or lift on acceleration and its steering is quick-acting. Aside from the one time its tail flicked out a of line a little under heavy throttle - driving the GLE450 AMG Coupe was an all-in-all pleasant experience.
Conclusion
If you're in the market for a coupe-type SUV (judging by today's motoring trends, a number of you probably are) and want something that tilts to the more luxurious side of things, the GLE450 AMG Coupe is quite the car.
If only this angry Mercedes 'soft-roader' delivered a little more on the AMG proposition. Otherwise, should you itch for something sportier, you may want to check out the BMW X6.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe GLE43 AMG 4MATIC (A)
CAT B|Petrol|10.6km/L
Horsepower
287kW (385 bhp)
Torque
520 Nm
Acceleration
5.7sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe
Thank You For Your Subscription.
