2024 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Review: Sharply Styled Luxe Speedster

Combining potency, practicality, and panache is not something all automakers can pull off, but Mercedes-AMG has developed a relative knack for it - such is the case with the GLE 53 Coupe. One of a growing number of feisty, coupe-styled SUVs in the segment, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe is in good company, among rivals like the BMW X6 M50i and the Porche Cayenne Coupe. It may not be as powerful or as exciting to drive as either of these, but with a turbocharged six-cylinder that makes 429 horsepower and 412 lb-ft of torque, this midsize SUV doesn't make a habit of going slowly. The interior is the real highlight, and it complements the superb ride quality that makes this a high-speed luxury cruiser of note. Although an even more potent AMG GLE 53 SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain is on the horizon, the GLE 53 Coupe is still worthy of being a fixture on the segment's podium in 2024.

New for 2024

The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe has received some updated styling to keep it fresh. This includes a new front bumper that is reminiscent of the more potent GLE 63 S. There are also fresh LED daytime running lights and taillights. New exterior color options are made available, too, along with new 22-inch forged wheel designs. However, there are more than just cosmetic updates, as the turbo-six engine now has a little more torque on tap - 28 lb-ft, to be exact, courtesy of updated engine software and a larger turbocharger. This translates to a quicker 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds (three-tenths quicker than last year).

2024 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Price: Which One to Buy

The price of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe is set at $89,800 MSRP, but you have to pay extra for a lot of the desirable features, so be prepared to spend closer to $100k. You also need to factor in the $1,150 destination charge.

Since there is just a single model, it comes down to how you want to specify your GLE 53. If you want the best the Coupe SUV has to offer, you'll want the Pinnacle Trim package, which adds multi-contour massage front seats, an MBUX interior assistant, and a head-up display for $3,300. Meanwhile, there is also a $1,950 Driver Assistance Package that adds features like active steering assist, evasive steering assist, active lane change and lane keeping assist, and more. This means you'll already be forking out upwards of $95k before destination charges are added.

Interior and Features

Combining top-tier materials with sporty styling and plenty of comforts and conveniences, the GLE 53 Coupe delivers an exquisite cabin.

You've likely heard it before, but every Merc comes with a gorgeous interior space. This has always been one of the brand's strengths, and it's one of the main reasons loyalists continue to purchase these luxury vehicles. Only the best materials are used, arranged to accentuate just how opulent the cabin is. A standard panoramic sunroof creates an airy atmosphere that helps to hide the fact that the sloping reduces headroom in the back. It also negatively impacts rearward visibility, so you'll find yourself relying on the driver aids. You'll find ornate wood along the dashboard, with a pair of large screens above and a few physical controls below. Meanwhile, the old-school square vents are surrounded by metal. It's just a pity that the mid-life refresh didn't include more modern interior designs.

Space

For a midsize SUV, the GLE 53 has a good amount of space inside for up to five passengers, with enough legroom in either row for even tall passengers. However, the sloping roof means that they may have to slouch a little to fit. This also makes it tricky to get inside, despite the comfortable step-in height. For passengers in the front, the power-adjustable front seats ensure that finding a comfortable position is as easy as possible. Unlike the regular GLE, the coupe variant doesn't offer a third row of seats, which makes perfect sense, given that it already sacrifices a lot of passenger and cargo space.

Cargo

Premium vehicles often focus on form over function, so while the GLE 53 Coupe is more practical than a sedan or hatchback, it is not as capacious as other SUVs with 27.5 cubic feet of trunk volume. This figure is also on par with other coupe-style SUVs. For smaller items, there are cupholders in the front center console, along with a small bin and a spacious armrest cubby. Of course, there is also a glove compartment, and each of the doors has a pocket, albeit only modestly sized ones.

Materials and Colors

Naturally, Mercedes only uses the most upscale materials, starting with Nappa leather in a choice of Black, Macchiato Beige/Black, Bahia Brown/Black, and Classic Red/Black. For $1,560, you can upgrade to Exclusive Nappa leather in the same range of interior colors.

As standard, the interior is trimmed in brushed aluminum, which goes well with the sportier personality of the AMG Coupe SUV. But if wood is more to your liking, Brown Linden, Natural Grain Grey Oak, and Natural Grain Brown Walnut add just $160 to the bill. The Manufaktur Black Piano Lacquer with Flowing Lines wood is pricier at $850, or you can go all out for AMG Carbon Fiber at $1,750.

Features and Infotainment

No luxury car would be complete without a generous list of standard features, but you may be a little disappointed that there are still a number of options you need to pay extra for on the GLE 53 Coupe. On the no-charge side of things, you get dual-zone climate control, heated power-adjustable front seats, keyless entry with both push-button and remote start functions, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Another 12.3-inch display lets you operate the infotainment, which includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth.

A 13-speaker Burmester sound system comes standard, along with a wireless charging pad and a 115-volt outlet. From here, you can upgrade to a 25-speaker Burmester setup and add quad-zone climate control, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled cupholders, soft-close doors, and a head-up display.

Performance

A little extra torque sees the new GLE 53 Coupe accelerate to 60 mph 0.3 seconds faster than before, while maintaining its poise and ride comfort.

The engine in the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe has been tweaked for the new year, developing the same 429 hp but a slightly buffed 413 lb-ft. However, it keeps the nine-speed Speedshift automatic transmission and all-wheel drivetrain. The latter can perfectly split outputs between the front and rear wheels, depending on where it's needed most. Thanks to these updates, the GLE 53 Coupe can now sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds quicker than before. Top speed is still limited to 155 mph, though, and the maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs remains unchanged.

The GLE is quite nimble around the bends where the AWD system really shines by giving you power where it's needed. It remains planted on the road, with minimal body roll, despite being a taller SUV, thanks to the Active Ride Control system. Switching to Sport or Sport+ mode further tightens things up, which sacrifices a bit of the otherwise plush ride comfort for quicker throttle responses and more finely tuned handling. So long as you remember that you're behind the wheel of a large, tall, and heavy SUV, you can have some fun with the Merc AMG GLE 53.

Fuel Efficiency

While it may have a bit more power than before, the Mercedes-AMG 53 Coupe gets better mpg than the outgoing version. The EPA-estimated gas mileage is 18/22/20 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. This makes it slightly more efficient than the BMW X6 or the Porsche Cayenne in coupe form.

The Merc also has a high fuel capacity of 22.5 gallons, meaning that it can travel for a respectable 450 miles before needing to find a gas station.

Safety

Deluxe sports cars and performance SUVs are seldom crash-tested, but the standard GLE-Class on which the 53 Coupe is based earned top safety scores.

Neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA specifically review the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe for safety, as high-performance models that cost even more than the regular version usually get a pass. However, they are based on the same platform, so if you look at the safety ratings for the GLE-Class SUV, you can get a good idea of what to expect, although we don't have ratings for 2024 yet. Both the NHTSA and IIHS give 2023 models top marks, with the latter also including a Top Safety Pick+ award in 2022.

As you'd expect, the GLE 53 Coupe comes well-equipped in terms of safety and driver-assistance features. These include ABS, EBD, stability and traction control, and a total of seven airbags. More advanced systems comprise forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, active brake assist, pre safe, blind-spot assist, crosswind assist, exit warning, and a surround-view camera. From there, you can further upgrade the suite with pre safe plus, active blind-spot assist, evasive steering assist, active lane keep assist, active distance assist, and active brake assist with cross-traffic. You can even add a set of rear side-impact airbags at extra cost.

Reliability

Though there is no official reliability rating for the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, the GLE-Class has been plagued with recalls over the last few years. Not all of these apply to the AMG variant, of course, but with 17 recalls in 2021, and another six in 2022, some problems definitely carried over. There haven't been any recalls for 2024 as yet, down from the two issued in 2023.

Every 2024 Merc-AMG GLE 53 Coupe gets the same warranty that comes standard on any of the brand's cars. This includes four years/50,000 miles of limited and powertrain coverage, with roadside assistance offered over the same duration.

Warranty

Design

Now that coupe-style SUVs are a more common sight, they no longer draw stares like they once did. As such, automakers that dabble in this segment have to put some real effort in to ensure their models stand out. To this end, Mercedes has given the GLE 53 Coupe some refreshed styling for 2024. For starters, the front bumper is bigger and bolder, seemingly borrowed from the GLE 63 S, hinting at the car's improved performance. It retains the same broad grille with vertical bars, though, and the LED headlights are in the same position as before. However, the daytime running lights have been altered from their L-shape to a pair of segmented bars above and below. Similarly, the LED taillights are slightly updated, too. Beyond this, you can choose to upgrade the standard 21-inch alloy wheels to 22-inch variants in a variety of styles, including some new ones. Of course, the standout feature is the sloping roofline, which slides down to a trunk-lid spoiler. A power hands-free liftgate comes standard, along with a panoramic sunroof.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe A Good SUV?

Big and bold SUVs are extremely popular in the USA, but so too are powerful sports cars. Thus, a combination of the two makes perfect sense. The 2024 GLE 53 Coupe brings a lot of power to bear with its turbocharged inline-six engine, but it also has the improved practicality of an SUV-type body, including plenty of passenger and cargo space. However, in order to look a little more like the sporty vehicle it is, the Merc makes some sacrifices that regular SUV fans may not like, including less headroom and a cramped trunk. This won't deter true fans, though, and those with a hankering for speed who can also afford a car like this will likely have a spare for more mundane daily errands. On the plus side, you get loads of standard features, and the interior is plush. The ride comfort that goes along with this is another highlight, so as long you don't mind the few downsides of this stylish sports SUV, there is definitely a lot to like.