2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe

Few vehicles personify the emotional nature of car buying like the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe. Car purchases are emotional. And if you don't connect with a car's looks, at least a little bit, we posit that you could never really love your car. We love almost everything about the redesigned AMG GLE 63 S Coupe. It's ridiculous and powerful, the tech is amazing, and the interior looks beautiful, mostly. It even handles well for a two-and-half ton vehicle. It just looks... funny.

Of course, from behind the wheel, you won't really see what the exterior looks like, and once you fire up the fantastic-sounding 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and feel its 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque catapult you from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, you're not likely to think about it at all, until you need to load something into the cargo bay. We've said this before, but we're not wholly against SUVs being named "coupe" as much as we used to be. The midsized Audi RS Q8 and Porsche Cayenne Coupe both look great, much better than the BMW X6 M, but it's the mostly flat roofline that fools you into thinking these things are bigger and sportier than they really are. But is the compromise in practicality justified by the sense of style? The GLE Coupe, with its egg-shaped shell, just doesn't do that for us. But that didn't stop us from spending a week with one in our driveway to find out all about it.

4-door Coupe SUVs will always remain a contentious topic. We, for example, just don't get why they exist. The basic formula is to take an SUV, which is meant to be practical, lower its roofline to create a sloping rear end, thereby rendering it less functional. Then manufacturers mount the most powerful engine they have in the front and work magic with the suspension until its ride and handling sort of resembles that of a performance saloon. This usually means lowering the ground clearance and fitting a stiffer suspension, removing what little off-road prowess it had. But that's just us. We all laughed at BMW when it introduced the ugly first-gen X6, but we're not laughing anymore as it's become the flavor of the month.

Mercedes-AMG's take on that flavor is more visually appealing now than it was a generation ago. The new GLE's front end is accentuated by the Panamerican grille, aggressive front fascias, and LED headlights with signature running lights. 21-inch alloy wheels add a larger-than-life persona, while around the back, the quad trapezoidal tailpipes signify that this is the top dog in the AMG GLE Coupe lineup.

Since the GLE Coupe is based on the midsize SUV variant, it boasts similar exterior dimensions. It's not a direct match for the GLE SUV, however. It's slightly longer at 195.3 inches, and much closer to the ground. The standard GLE stands 70.2 inches tall, while the Coupe is 67.7 inches in height. These measurements create the illusion of a squat performance vehicle and set it apart from the standard SUV more successfully than its predecessor ever did.It retains the same 117.9inch wheelbase and 84.9-inch width as the SUV, however.

But while it looks sportier, it's a little trickier hiding the sheer weight. The GLE 63 S Coupe weighs 5,390 pounds, just a little more than the BMW X6 M's 5,375 lbs but well above the 4,725-pound mass of the equally-practical AMG E63 S Wagon.

The color palette is very unlike Mercedes in that most of the colors are no-cost options. Designo Cardinal Red costs $360, while Diamond White adds $795 to the price. There are nine no-cost options, including Black, Polar White, Obsidian Black, Iridium Silver, Mojave Silver, Lunar Blue, Brilliant Blue, Emerald Green, and Selenite Grey. It's an excellent selection of colors ranging from restrained and tasteful to standing out in a parking lot. For the full extrovert effect, get one in Brilliant Blue with 22-inch matte black AMG alloys and an illuminated three-point star.

The 2021 GLE 63 Coupe's exterior creates the illusion of a heavy performance car, but unfortunately, it's not physically possible to get away from the weight of the components needed to manufacture a performance SUV. Thankfully, Mercedes-AMG has just the engine to make the SUV feel like a featherweight. It's the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo used in every contemporary 63-badged AMG, making everything from the C63 to the G63 fly along at a rate of knots.

It does that and more. In this guise, the famous 4.0L engine produces 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. The engine is helped along by a 48V mild-hybrid system that adds 21 hp and 184 lb-ft. The added traction provided by the AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system gets it to 60 mph in a claimed 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 174 mph - electronically limited, which means this leviathan can go faster. This matches the X6 M Competition, Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo, and Audi RS Q8 exactly. To find a faster SUV, you need to pay twice the price for a Lamborghini Urus to get that 0-60 mph time down by a single tenth of a second. To put that into perspective, this hunchback from Stuttgart is just as fast as the base Mercedes-AMG GT.

But it's an SUV, and as such should be expected to be practical. Mercedes will sell you a tow hitch, but the brand from Affalterbach hasn't yet published an official towing capacity.

The GLE 63 S Coupe uses the same engine and gearbox combination found in most full-fat AMGs these days. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 delivers 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, sent to the wheels via a 4Matic system tuned by the mad scientists at AMG for a stronger rear bias. In between a 9-speed automatic gearbox takes care of shiftwork. Thankfully, this AMG is not equipped with a drift mode. If it were, it would likely replace the Mustang as the poster child of unwanted tail-out action. In this car, the drive mode selections include Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, Race, Trail, and Sand.

The GLE 63's V8 fires up with bark that will wake up the neighbors, and keeps the revs up for a few seconds before settling into a low, bassy, burbling idle. Taking off in comfort mode, the throttle is nicely muted. But it doesn't hesitate like some of the older Mercedes did. It's just a nice, automatic slip of the clutch while you effortlessly glide off. Power is still prodigious in Comfort. If you stomp on the throttle, you'll leave traffic far behind your wake. Shifts are easy in that mode, but still generally swift. It didn't seem to get confused no matter what we did. Sport and Sport Plus are quicker all the way around, though we think Sport is the sweet spot for normal around town driving.

At the same time as the engine bursts to life a Starship Enterprise's worth of screens and switches and customizable buttons light up, denoting everything from your drive modes to your quick adjustments and your traction control. This visual assault quickly takes a backseat to the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe's firmness on the road, although in Comfort mode, it still feels usable daily.

Sport and Sport Plus are the more aggressive modes that can still be used on the road, although we think Sport is as far as we'd go for regular use on US streets. The suspension firms up a touch and the throttle has just the right amount of sensitivity, without being jumpy. We like that this mode keeps the stop/start system active, too; it works great, letting you coast to a stoplight without turning the engine on and off as you modulate the brakes like some other vehicles. Sometimes you brake a little too early, and need to coast up to the lead car, this lets you do that. It also turns off when you put it in Park, instead of firing back up for some reason.

Even in sport plus mode, the GLE 63 soaks up most bumps without transmitting the jounce into the cabin. But those low-profile tires aren't quiet by any stretch of the imagination. You'll hear the pings from the expansion joints, and big potholes make a lot of noise too. Obviously, that mode is the quickest and most fun, especially around smooth, twisty roads, but you need to be paying attention.

From a day-to-day perspective, the lane-keeping/semi-autonomous driving setup is better than average. It'll keep you centered in the lane most times, but you should always keep your hands on the wheel in case one of those lines peels off into a turn lane as it's a little oversensitive about adding steering input.

A twin-turbo V8 hauling a 5,000+ lbs body around was never going to deliver the best gas mileage. So it should be no surprise that the EPA-estimated figures for this SUV are 15/19/17 mpg city/highway/combined. That means an estimated range of 382 miles from the 22.5-gallon tank - a tank that will only be happy when filled with premium gas.

If there's any consolation to be found, it's that this coupe variant is a single digit better on the combined cycle than the SUV variant, and 2 mpg combined better than the Audi RS Q8 and BMW X6 M.

When it comes to these coupe SUVs, there are two that stand out interior-wise: this and the Audi RS Q8. Audi was the first to offer a digital instrument cluster, plus two additional screens on the center console. The lower screen is meant to replace all the physical climate control buttons, but it doesn't always work when you want it to. That's why we prefer the interior of the Benz. Climate control is managed through a series of toggles in the Merc, which are annoying at first but easy to understand. We don't love the toggle for temperature, as that is much more easily done through a rotary knob.

It only has two 12.3-inch screens, but they run the latest MBUX interface. The one screen is situated directly in front of the driver and is essentially a digital instrument cluster. The other is the central infotainment hub, and it offers some customization as well. Thankfully, Mercedes has the good sense to keep the buttons most often used separate, so there's no need to hunt around on an unresponsive screen.

Over the last few years, Mercedes has upped its interior game in a big way. It's functional, beautiful, and high-quality. The four vents below the infotainment screen are a good example. They're perfectly placed to heat or cool the cabin quickly, look superb, and are made of real metal. We also like the thin lighting strip that runs the entire width of the dashboard, right through the front doors and into the rear doors. There are 64 colors to choose from, so you'll have no problem setting the mood to match yours. If you have kids, it's endless fun.

Like the SUV version, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 Coupe seats five occupants, albeit in slightly different fashions.

The front seats feel spacious with plenty of adjustments and a massage function, which is something we would have never thought we needed but use it often when it's available. The GLE Coupe has a teeny bit more headroom in the first row than the BMW X6, 40.2 inches to 39.3. It has a 0.3-inch advantage in rear headroom at 37.8. The important rear measurement here is between the GLE Coupe and GLE SUV, where the SUV has two extra inches for your cranium, which is actually a smaller difference than we would have guessed. The sloping roofline also inhibits access to the rear of the cabin, especially for taller passengers.

We love the big head-up display and the configurable gauges, and those customizable buttons on the steering wheel are cool, if a little gimmicky. There are two mini screens on the left wing, each with a button that you can program for exhaust noise, suspension, traction control, and more, and always have them at the ready.

There are five Nappa leather options to choose from, with four of them at no extra cost. The latter selection includes Black, Tartufo/Black, Classic Red/Black, and Black with grey accents. A $250 black option also exists with extended leather covering for an even more premium feel. You can select the seatbelt color at no extra cost, but your options are limited to black, silver, or red.

As for trim inserts, there are four no-cost options, including Grey Linden wood trim, Natural Grain Grey Oak wood, Natural Grain Brown wood, and Aluminum - the latter equipped in our tester. Metal Weave costs $440, while the two designo options (Natural Grain Black Flamed Ash wood and Brown Linden Flowing Lines wood) go for $690 each. Carbon Fiber trim is the most expensive, retailing for $1,750.

This is where it all starts to fall apart a bit. The GLE Coupe provides just 27.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place. These seats can be folded flat in a 40/20/40 split to create more space, availing up to 63.2 cubes overall. The tailgate opens up a large area, which makes loading and unloading stuff easy enough. So, in essence, you still get a large trunk, which is nice. But the sloping tailgate means you can't store large objects close to the load sill as the height of this section is about half the height it is further back. It's less pleasant when you compare it to the standard GLE 63 SUV, which has 33.3 cubes behind the rear seats at 74.9 with them folded.

Interior storage consists of a large storage bin under the center armrest, two cupholders up front, and large door pockets all around. The rear center seatback folds forward to reveal two more cupholders, and the center console ahead of is has a few small storage areas as well.

Mercedes-AMG is generous with everything except driver assistance features. As standard, the GLE 63 S Coupe comes with power-adjustable front seats with memory, heating, and ventilation. It also features a hands-free power tailgate, remote start, keyless entry and push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a panorama roof, Nappa leather, sports front seats, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, and a universal garage door opener. The cupholders are heated and cooled, too. If you want even more, the second-row seats can be heated, as can the steering wheel. Four-zone climate control is an option, as are soft-close doors and massaging front seats.

While you do get a number of driver assists as standard like parking sensors, automatic high beam assist, auto-dimming mirrors, and the basic forward collision avoidance measures, the best of the semi-autonomous assists and functionality are locked behind a paywall.

The dual-12.3-inch screens are the centerpiece of the cabin. Your main point of contact with it is a touchpad in the center console, which we're normally against, and touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. The center console controller here has a palm rest right in front of it that makes it easier to adjust things while driving. You can also control it with the left steering wheel pad, and a few years ago Mercedes turned it into a touchpad rather than a joystick-like controller. When all else fails, just lean up and touch the glass. Of course, it has voice control too, so try to keep yourself from yelling "Hey, Mercedes" and asking it to do anything from changing the climate to telling you what the weather is like outside.

This MBUX system is packed with functionality. Not only do you get the standard AM/FM radio, but there's HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming, and full Android Auto/Apple CarPlay functionality. Navigation is standard, as is a Burmester sound system with 590 watts and 13 speakers. Alternatively, a 25-speaker, 1,590-watt sound system is available, as are augmented reality for the navigation, in-car Wi-Fi, and a head-up display that can be configured in as many ways as the main gauges.

The pinching and swiping motions work great on the screen, and good on the touchpad. Everything moves fast like your cellphone, and it's easy to bounce back and forth between screens. We spent a lot of time in seat comfort and ambient lighting, but we also love the AMG page with your G-meter, power outputs, and other performance gauges.

The new GLE Coupe has had a rough start, with a total of seven recalls for the 2021 model at the time of writing. Only three of these recalls are related to the top AMG model. Mercedes-Benz is currently recalling its entire line-up of cars for an inaccurate GPS location in the event of a crash, but another issue means the rearview camera image might not display. In some cars, the rear middle seatbelt buckle may be recessed more than intended, while in some vehicles, interior switches might not illuminate as they're supposed to.

The AMG GLE 63 Coupe is covered by Mercedes' four-year/50,000-mile limited and powertrain warranty in the USA.

There is no safety review of the AMG GLE 63 Coupe from the NHTSA, but the standard GLE SUV range has been evaluated and its ratings should be largely applicable. The SUV scored the full five stars for safety. It's the same story over at the IIHS, where that agency's review of the GLE resulted in a Top Safety Pick + award for 2021 when equipped with the optional front crash prevention. With that in mind, we reckon it's safe to assume the Coupe version of the GLE will fare equally well in a crash.

Mercedes offers a nice list of safety features but expects you to pay extra for the more advanced versions of said systems. As standard, the GLE Coupe gets the usual acronyms, seven airbags including a driver's knee bag, active brake assist, blind-spot assist, active parking assist, a surround-view system, tire pressure monitoring, rain-sensing wipers, crosswind assist, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror, to name just a few. The optional Driver Assistance Package adds all of the advanced driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with steering assist, active blind spot assist, lane keep assist, lane change assist, and Pre-Safe Plus, to name a few. This package retails for less than $2,000, which is insignificant compared to the car's overall price. Why not just include it as standard?

You can probably guess what we're going to say here. The power, the tech, the handling, it's all great for a midsize SUV pretending to be a coupe. We brought it to a family party and many folks wanted to jump in and out and play with everything. And half of them even liked the shape, so there definitely some personal preferences that will come into this very emotional decision to buy.

Its main competition is from BMW's X6 M, which also has a polarizing shape. The price is similar to this GLE, and we'd probably say the BMW is a touch more sporty, while this feels a little more luxurious.

But for our money, we'd have to go with the AMG GLE 63 SUV. Yes, SUV, not Coupe. For us, it boils down to personal preference on its looks, but also the added practicality - which is why you buy a crossover or SUV in the first place, isn't it? Somehow, the coupe even weighs more than the SUV by a few hundred pounds, meaning this isn't even the sportiest version of the GLE 63 it can be. But if you're looking for something just for dicing up corners, you're not picking one of these. Mercedes has plenty of cars for that, including the equally-practical AMG E63 Wagon.

With the price of the AMG GLE 63 Coupe starting at $116,000 - an MSRP that excludes a $1,050 destination charge - the performance and style don't come cheap. The SUV version, for example, costs just $2,050 less.

Be cautious when it comes to the options, however. We played around with the online configurator and specced a GLE 63 S Coupe as we would have it. This included Brilliant Blue coupled with 22-inch matte black wheels and the AMG Night Package. On the inside, we went for red/black Nappa seats and the AMG Performance steering wheel with Carbon Fiber inserts. We selected massaging seats, four-zone climate control, the high-end Burmester sound system, and the AMG head-up display from the standalone options. The Driver Assistance Package is a must, as is the high-performance ceramic braking system. In a 5,000 lbs car with 600+ hp, you need all the brakes. The total came to $135,510, including the destination charge.

The 2021 AMG GLE 63 Coupe is available in a single model, one with an S suffix powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with some mild-hybrid assistance. The resulting power output is 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, sent to AMG's 4Matic+ AWD system. A nine-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission is standard.

Comfort and convenience features include heated and ventilated power front seats with three memory settings, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, dual-zone climate control, dual 12.3-inch screens, Merc's MBUX touch, and voice interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, navigation, five USB-C ports, wireless charging, and a Burmester surround-sound system with 13 speakers.

The GLE Coupe is adorned with the new slatted grille, 21-inch alloy wheels, and quad exhausts on the outside. LED lights are standard all around. The standard safety kit includes seven airbags, a surround-view camera system, attention assist, cruise control, and standard blind-spot monitoring.

Mercedes offers an AMG Night Package ($750) for the exterior, including a front splitter and front apron finished in gloss black. The gloss black treatment can also be found on the side mirrors, side window surrounds, rear apron, and tailpipes. Inside, you can get a Warmth & Comfort Package ($1,050), adding a rapid heating feature for the front seats, heated armrests, and heated upper door panels. A heated steering wheel is a $250 standalone option. The Driver Assistance Package retails for $1,950. It adds active cruise control with active steering assistance, brake assist with cross-traffic alert, emergency stop assist, active blind-spot, lane change, and lane keep assist, and speed limit assist, to name a few. A few standalone options are also available, like the AMG head-up display at $1,100, which pairs well with the augmented reality navigation at $350. Audiophiles might enjoy the $4,550 Burmester High-End sound system with 25 speakers and 1,590 watts, while for comfort, $1,100 gets you massaging front seats and $580 heats the rear seats. Four-zone climate control costs $860, and if the standard brakes aren't strong enough, carbon ceramic brakes will run you $5,450.

The AMG GLE 63 S Coupe starts at $116,000. With options including the high-end audio, the Energizing Comfort Package with massaging seats, Driver Assistance Package, 22-inch wheels, and a few more, our test vehicle crested $130,000. If we were to spec one out, we'd start with a bold color like Cardinal Red for $395. We like the black wheels, but they go up a size, so we'd stick with the no-cost 21s. We're also skipping the illuminated star, and you should too. If you want to put neon lights on this monster, do it on your own time. Since we skipped the black wheels, we'd also skip the night package for $750.

Inside, there are a couple options for upholstery, we'd pick the no-cost red and black and pair it with one of the natural grain woods. The carbon fiber option is almost $2,000, which is too much, but we wouldn't mind the $400 metal weave version either. A heated steering wheel is optional - we'd skip that - but we do love the carbon fiber/Dinamica suede wheel so we'd check that box. We like the massage function too, and at $1,100 we'd keep it. Adding it also includes the Warmth and Comfort Package. The head-up display is $1,100 and the Burmester sound is $4,550. Again, we like both of them, but don't need them. That brings us to just under $120,000 before taxes. It's not cheap, but we think that's everything you need in the GLE 63 S.

BMW invented this segment and inevitably ended up being the leader in many ways. These two four-door coupes are pretty similar, both using a twin-turbo V8. Mercedes-AMG's version is way more charming, if only because of the sounds it makes. But that's about the only thing the GLE 63 S has going for compared against the Bimmer. The X6 M produces 600 hp and 553 lb-ft, but with less weight, it doesn't need as much torque to hit 60 in 3.8 seconds, just a tenth behind the Merc. Strap on the Competition Package and an extra 17 hp puts the two on parity.

The Merc might be a little more spacious inside, but both are remarkably similar, right down to the standard cargo volume. In the end, it'll come down to brand bias and visual preference. To our eye, the AMG is more beautiful and luxurious, but the BMW is a little sportier. The latter is also nearly $8,000 - if that's even a factor when you're shopping in the six-figure range.

Audi's approach to this coupe SUV business is a bit smarter. It may be based on the Q7, but Audi went in a completely different direction regarding styling. The front is entirely different and almost absurdly aggressive. At the rear, the LED lights are an homage to the original Audi Quattro. As a design exercise, it's a lot more successful than either the X6 or GLE Coupe. Still, like the other Germans, it can't entirely hide its size and weight. If it's sheer driving pleasure you're after, the all-new RS6 is way more accomplished.

The RS Q8 is an epic grand tourer, however. It has an adjustable air suspension with various driving modes. We liked the Individual setting the most, as it allowed for a comfort-biased suspension, but everything else in sport mode. That way, you get a comfy ride but an epic response from the 591 hp twin-turbo V8. It's also worth noting that this 4.0-liter V8 is just as glorious as the unit found in the AMG, and just as quick. But perhaps the Audi's greatest success is that its engineers actually lowered the rear seats when building it, so rear-seat space isn't compromised by its sleeker styling. This is where we'd spend our money.