2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe

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2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53 Coupe Review: If Looks Could Kill

The second generation Mercedes-Benz GLE 53 Coupe is somewhat of an oddity: it's an SUV, a coupe, and in AMG form, a sports car all at once. Some might say that that's a bit too much, and we tend to agree. That doesn't mean that this weird-looking brute is a bad car, not by a long shot. It offers massive dollops of power from its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, which is helped along by a mild hybrid system. Trick suspension keeps it planted in the corners, and the interior is nothing short of five-star luxury. We didn't want to like this car, and there's no way of getting around its looks, but behind the facade lies a brilliant car that offers good thrills, excellent luxury and all the practicality you'll ever need. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe goes up against the other midsize SUV Coupe weirdos: the BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne Coupe.

Read in this review:

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Changes: ๐Ÿš™Whatโ€™s the Difference vs the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe?

The GLE 53 Coupe was only launched last year to replace its predecessor, the GLE 43. The 2022 model remains essentially the same, except for the addition of a single new standard feature: Adaptive Highbeam Assist. Other than that, Cirrus Silver joins the exterior paint palette and new standalone options become available, namely the Air Balance feature for the cabin and multi-contour front seats with a massaging function.

Pros and Cons

  • Super smooth inline-six
  • Stunning interior
  • Capable handling
  • Good list of standard options
  • Improved styling over previous generation
  • It can get expensive when you add options
  • Limited practicality compared to GLE SUV
  • Fuel consumption suffers under hard driving

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Trims

See trim levels and configurations:

Trim Engine Transmission Drivetrain Price (MSRP)
AMG GLE 53 4MATIC Coupe
3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
9-Speed Automatic
All-Wheel Drive
$78,450

AMG GLE 53 Coupe Exterior

When BMW first introduced the X6, people didn't really know what to make of it. A four-door SUV coupe? Well, the Stockholm syndrome has set in, and these monstrosities now freely roam our roads. The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe is another one of these oddities that is neither here nor there. Mercedes-AMG has done their best to make it look aggressive, and it comes standard with 21-inch AMG twin five-spoke wheels, side-mirror logo projectors, LED headlights, and a panoramic sunroof. The GLE 53 differentiates it from the rest of the GLE crowd with its gaping Panamericana grille in the front, while the quad tailpipes in the rear add a touch of aggressiveness.

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Front View Mercedes-Benz
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Rear View Mercedes-Benz
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Front Angle View Mercedes-Benz
See All 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Exterior Photos

Dimensions

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe isn't a small car despite its best efforts to hide behind the coupe body shape. Overall length is 194.4 inches spread over a 117.9-inch wheelbase, overall height is 70.2 inches, and it's 84.9 inches wide. Mercedes hasn't yet announced official curb weights, but we expect it to be similar to the GLE 53 SUV, which is around 5,100 pounds.

  • Length 195.3 in
  • Wheelbase 115.6 in
  • Height 67.6 in
  • Max Width 79.3 in
  • Front Width 66.2 in
  • Rear Width 67.9 in

Exterior Colors

  • Obsidian Black Metallic +$750
  • Lunar Blue Metallic +$750
  • Cirrus Silver Metallic +$750
  • Emerald Green Metallic +$750
  • Mojave Silver Metallic +$750
  • Brilliant Blue Metallic +$750
  • Selenite Grey Metallic +$750
  • MANUFAKTUR Diamond White Metallic +$1,750
  • MANUFAKTUR Cardinal Red Metallic +$1,750
  • Black
  • Polar White

AMG GLE 53 Coupe Performance

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Front View Driving Mercedes-Benz
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Rear View Driving Mercedes-Benz
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Engine Mercedes-Benz

Engine and Transmission

To get this SUV moving at the rate it does requires a massive dose of power, and in this case, that power is provided by a combination of a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This setup produces a healthy 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, most of which is available way down low in the rev range, while the EQ Boost system augments it with a further 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque from the electric motor. This combo lends itself to smooth acceleration and an overall refined driving experience. Power is sent to all four wheels via an AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic. The hybrid system assists in the start/stop system, helps to spool up the turbocharger, and also powers interior features such as the displays and lights. According to AMG, the GLE 53 will sprint to sixty in only 5.2 seconds, shaving four-tenths off the sprint time of the GLE 43 it replaces.

  • Engine
    3.0L Turbo Inline-6 Gas
  • Transmission
    9-Speed Automatic
  • Drivetrain
    AWD

Handling and Driving Impressions

So we know that the GLE 53 Coupe is fast in a straight line thanks to a serious engine setup, but how does this SUV-looking thing handle the corners? The AMG engineers have done their best to make it stick in the corners, and they have done so rather convincingly. The secret to their success is AMG's optional Active Ride Control, which adds two independently operating, electro-mechanical actuators to the front and rear axles. What this does is drastically limit body roll in corners. Drivers get the option of selecting between three damper settings, namely Comfort, ''Sport," and "Sport+". There is also a number of driving modes, which include "Slippery," "Comfort," and "Sport".

You never completely escape the fact that the GLE 53 is heavy and high-riding, but on the whole, it behaves impeccably, soaking up bumps and avoiding body lean. It isn't a genuine sports car, but for those who like to go fast in comfort, it works perfectly.

AMG GLE 53 Coupe Gas Mileage

Such a heavy car is always going to suffer to some extent when it comes to gas mileage, and don't let the word "hybrid" fool you into thinking that the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe is an eco-friendly tree-hugger, because it's quite the opposite. Plant your foot to the floor and it will happily guzzle fuel with no consideration for economy. The EPA figures tell the whole story - the GLE 53 Coupe will get 18/23/20 mpg on the city/highway/combined circuit. The fact that this car can keep its combined figure at 20 mpg is impressive, but out in the real world, with all that power under your right foot, those numbers will inevitably dip into the teens. With a 22.5-gallon fuel tank, the GLE 53 will manage a maximum range of 450 miles on premium gas.

  • Fuel Tank Capacity
    22.5 Gallons
  • Fuel Economy
    City/Hwy: 17/21 mpg
* 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe AMG GLE 53 4MATIC Coupe

AMG GLE 53 Coupe Interior

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Dashboard Mercedes-Benz
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Central Console Mercedes-Benz
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Front Chairs Mercedes-Benz
See All 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Interior Photos

Seating and Interior Space

The interior of the GLE 53 Coupe, like other AMG products, is a stylish and comfortable place to be in. AMG has done well to combine luxury and sportiness here, and the space feels built for purpose. The driving position is high up, which means there's good forward visibility, and the leather seats offer body-hugging support. The coupe body style doesn't offer as much space as the standard GLE, but there's still more than enough space for five average-sized adults, and amenities like heated and ventilated power front seats do a fine job of keeping occupants comfortable.

  • Seating capacity
    5-seater
  • Front Head Room 40.2 in
  • Rear Head Room 37.8 in

AMG GLE 53 Coupe Trunk and Cargo Space

If, for some reason, you're looking for the thrills of a sports car with the practicality of an SUV and the looks of a clown's shoe, then you're in luck! Not only does the GLE 53 Coupe offer enough space for five adults, but you also get a sizable trunk area that will swallow anything you throw at it. The rear tailgate opens up wide, and you get a flat loading area, which makes it much easier to load big objects. The trunk area, which measures in at 23.1 cubic feet is comparable in size to its competitor, the BMW X6 which offers a slightly larger 27.4 cubic feet of space. If you want more, the standard GLE SUV offers 33.3 cubic feet of space.

Interior storage is decent: you get a large center console storage bin and a large glovebox. Both front and rear passengers get bottle holders in the doors and cupholders in the center console.

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Front Seats Mercedes-Benz
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Lateral View Mercedes-Benz
2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe View Out Back Mercedes-Benz

AMG GLE 53 Coupe Infotainment and Features

Features

The GLE 53 Coupe isn't shy when it comes to features. This SUV comes packed with the latest and greatest in tech from front to back. The exterior features illuminated running boards, LED headlights, a power liftgate, and even side-mirror logo projectors, so you know you've arrived. The interior is where things really start to happen: the heated MB-Tex leatherette seats are power-adjustable and include four-way lumbar control and optional ventilation, there's dual-zone automatic climate control, a panorama roof, as well as hands-free access. The list continues with a power-adjustable steering column, garage door opener, and remote start via the Mercedes mobile app. Driver assistance features include active brake assist, adaptive high-beam assist, blind-spot assist, and much more. Additional options include heated armrests and steering wheel, soft-close doors, four-zone climate control, as well as heated second-row seats and Nappa-leather upholstery.

Infotainment

We love the MBUX interface employed in the GLE 53 Coupe. This infotainment system is easy to use and offers seamless integration with smartphone devices. The system in the GLE 53 Coupe features dual 12.3-inch displays, which are the centerpieces of the interior. The system is controlled by natural voice recognition, a touchpad controller, steering-wheel controls, and touch. So what do you get with this system? Firstly there's integrated navigation with optional augmented video navigation and five USB-C ports. Hands-free Bluetooth and HD Radio are also included, as is Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, while in-car Wi-Fi is left as an option. Music is played through a 13-speaker Burmester sound system, which includes twin FrontBass subwoofers and a 590-watt nine-channel digital amplifier. The optional Burmester surround sound system packs a massive 25 speakers and includes a subwoofer and 1,400-watt amplifier This infotainment system is a pleasure to use and sets a benchmark for other brands to follow.

AMG GLE 53 Coupe Problems and Reliability

The 2021 GLE-Class was recalled eight times for various problems including a software issue that will deactivate the illumination of certain interior switches, a blank backup camera display, a possible short circuit due to water intrusion via an air-conditioner drain hose, incorrectly adjusted headlights, an inaccurate location provided to emergency responders by the eCall system in case of an accident, a stability control malfunction, and issues with seatbelts and airbags. The 2022 GLE has not been recalled for anything yet at the time of writing. Mercedes-AMG will cover the GLE 53 Coupe with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty, as well as a drivetrain, corrosion, and roadside assistance plan for the same period or distance, if you're concerned about reliability.

Warranty

  • Basic:
    4 Years \ 50,000 Miles
  • Drivetrain:
    4 Years \ 50,000 Miles
  • Corrosion:
    4 Years \ 50,000 Miles
  • Hybrid/Electric Components:
    8 Years \ 100,000 Miles
  • Roadside Assistance:
    4 Years \ 50,000 Miles

AMG GLE 53 Coupe Safety

At this level, you best believe that this car is going to be safe as houses. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has done a comprehensive review of the GLE 53, but the GLE SUV has been tested by both authorities and, since it rides on the same platform, we can say that the GLE 53 should offer more or less the same levels of safety as the standard car, which received a 2021 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a 2022 five-star overall score at the NHTSA. The car comes stacked with a large number of active driver assistance features, such as active brake assist, attention assist, adaptive high-beam assist, trailer stability assist, crosswind assist, blind-spot assist, and active parking assist. There are seven airbags in total, including front and side-impact airbags, and a driver's knee airbag.

Verdict: ๐ŸIs the 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53 Coupe a Good SUV?

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe is another strange creation in the massive lineup of Mercedes-AMG cars that seems to be continuously growing by the day. It fills a niche in the market that, for years, we didn't know we needed, and some of us still don't understand. From the outside, it's not the most appealing to look at, in our opinion, and despite Mercedes-AMG's best attempts, it doesn't look very sporty, either. That doesn't matter when you get behind the wheel though. It drives beautifully and goes like a rocketship when you plant your foot on the accelerator. The interior is simply stunning and offers all the modern comforts you'll ever need. The Coupe body style might take away some of the interior space, but there's still an acceptable level cargo space on offer. It's a weird one, but it works.

๐Ÿš˜What's the Price of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53 Coupe?

Anything with an AMG badge stuck to the back is going to ask a premium, and the GLE 53 Coupe is no different. This SUV Coupe oddity will ask 77,800 of your hard-earned dollars, and that excludes tax, registration, and the $1,050 destination charge. That price is $1,300 higher than last year's, but at least it includes Adaptive Highbeam Assist this year. Stack on the options and this car will inch closer to the $100k mark. A fully-loaded version on the Mercedes-AMG website totaled upwards of $113,000. The BMW X6 M50i will cost you from $86,250.

2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53 Coupe Models

See All 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Trims and Specs

๐Ÿš—What Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53 Coupe Model Should I Buy?

Seeing as there's only one model on offer, we would look to the options list to further customize this car. On the exterior side, we would go with the 22-inch cross-spoke wheels and perhaps the new Cirrus Silver paint job. On the inside, we would get the AMG carbon fiber package, and Black Nappa leather seats. We'd also go for the AMG Performance steering wheel. In terms of comfort features, there's no doubting the fact that we would get the Burmester high-end 3D surround sound system. The driver assistance package, which adds a ton of driver aids, would make our list too, as would the AMG Dynamic Plus package. Our build totals a whisker under $100,000.

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Comparisons

Porsche Cayenne Coupe
BMW X6 BMW
CompetitorHorsepowerMPGPrice (MSRP)
Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe429 hp17/21 mpg$78,450
Porsche Cayenne Coupe 335 hp17/22 mpg$77,500
BMW X6 335 hp21/25 mpg$67,350

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe vs Porsche Cayenne Coupe

Porsche is another high-end German brand that has bent to the pressure, and now offers a coupe of its own. The Porsche Cayenne Coupe is a Cayenne with a sloping coupe-style roof, but still provides most of the pros of the original SUV. Powering this beast is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed auto transmission. A 2.9-liter version is also offered with 434 hp, which is more in line with the GLE 53. The Porsche's engines are massively powerful, and we can argue that it looks better from the outside. On the road, the Porsche is the more entertaining car to drive. The interior is on par with the Merc in terms of luxury and build quality. We're disappointed that the Porsche doesn't offer as many standard features, but as an overall package, we'd still go with the Porsche here in Cayenne S guise at $91,100.

See Porsche Cayenne Coupe Review

2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe vs BMW X6

The BMW X6 is the car that started this whole mess, and it still looks ugly as sin, years after it was first introduced and despite several remodels since. The X6 that stands up to the GLE 53 is the M50i. Powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, this beast pumps out a massive 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, and sends its power through an eight-speed transmission. The BMW offers 94 more horses, and will accelerate to sixty in only 4.1 seconds, and continue on to a top speed of 155 mph. The redesigned exterior looks better than before, and we think it looks better than the Merc, which is saying something. On the road, the X6 is a sharper tool, but the steering feels numb, the suspension is a tad firmer, and it corners with minimal body roll. The interior is stylish, but typically reserved, and comes with a decent amount of features when compared to the GLE 53. As with the Merc, the back seats are tight, however, and the trunk area is a few cubic feet larger. In this case, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe feels more special, though.

See BMW X6 Review

Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe Popular Comparisons

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