Mercedes GLE Coupé review

The Mercedes GLE Coupé is a bit like that annoying sibling who’s always trying to get one up on you. While the regular GLE is already a very posh and imposing SUV, here comes the GLE Coupé trying to grab all the attention.

Whether it succeeds is somewhat subjective – we’ll leave it up to you what you think of its styling. Basically, though, if you want a sportier, sleeker version of the regular Mercedes GLE it's the model to go for.

It's not, of course, the only choice across the market, and if you're looking for a premium coupé SUV you'll at least want to consider the Audi Q8, BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne Coupé. Does the Mercedes GLE Coupé remain the best choice once we've tested it head to head with rivals? Read on to find out...

The entry-level Mercedes GLE Coupé is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), but unlike many PHEVs nowadays, it has a diesel engine. Badged 350de, it has a total of 349bhp and the 0-62mph sprint can be completed in a fairly brisk 6.9 seconds.

Out of the current GLE Coupé line-up, it’s the only engine we’ve tested, and we weren’t left wishing for more pace – it’s quick, smooth and juggles diesel and electric power near-enough seamlessly.

The 350de’s electric-only range is a competitive 66 miles. That’s more than the equivalent Audi Q8 (51 miles) and Volvo XC90 (44 miles) can manage, and near enough on a par with the impressive BMW X5 45e (67 miles).

The GLE 400e remains a PHEV but swaps the diesel engine for a petrol one. Total power rises to 402bhp, reducing the 0-62mph time to 6.1 seconds. The electric-only range sees a small increase too, going up to 69 miles.

The third and final PHEV option is the GLE 53 Hybrid, which is a performance-focused AMG variant. As such, it has a total of 597bhp, while the electric-only range is still decent, at 55 miles.

The rest of the GLE Coupé's engine range features mild-hybrid (MHEV) assistance. There’s the six-cylinder diesel 450d, as well as two further, petrol-powered AMG variants – the 449bhp GLE 53 (non-PHEV) and 625bhp GLE 63.

Sticking with the variant we’ve tested – the 350de – we’d describe its handling as composed and competent enough. However, it’s not as confidence-inspiring or precise as the rival BMW X6 and feels nowhere near as agile as the Porsche Cayenne Coupé. We suspect the AMG variants (out of all the GLE Coupés) would be the ones to challenge those rivals but we’ve yet to test drive them.

All GLE Coupés have adjustable air suspension giving a largely well-cushioned ride. However, you also get massive 21in or 22in wheels and the result is you’re always aware of potholes, expansion joints and other sharp shocks passing beneath you.

The car also fidgets slightly over scruffy surfaces – if comfort is your priority, we’d point you towards the Audi Q8 or Range Rover Velar.

“Even with the battery low on charge, I found the 350de still provided strong performance.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Electric front seat and steering wheel adjustment is standard on all Mercedes GLE Coupés, as is a memory function, so it’s easy to get comfortable behind the wheel.

The GLE Coupé also gets a 12.3in digital driver’s display as standard. It has crystal-clear graphics and can show a vast array of driving information. It’s a little trickier to customise than Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system, though, and you might find the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel a bit fiddly to use.

The lofty seating position helps to give you a good view of the road ahead. The windscreen pillars can partially obscure your view at junctions, but they don't cause a serious problem.

Rear and over-the-shoulder visibility are hampered by the narrowing rear windows and heavily sloped roof with thick pillars. Thankfully you get a 360-degree camera system with park assist on all models, along with adaptive LED headlights, which allow you to keep the main beam on for longer without dazzling others.

Next to the 12.3in driver’s display sits the 12.3in infotainment touchscreen. If you don’t want to prod and poke the screen itself, there’s a trackpad between the front seats and another on the left spoke of the steering wheel.

The trackpad can prove tricky to use at first, but once you’ve got the hang of it you can control many functions without taking your hands off the wheel. Siri-style voice control, sat-nav, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all models.

Most of the GLE Coupé’s interior materials look and feel suitably expensive, and there’s plenty of soft-touch plastic on the dashboard. If you give the dashboard a bit of a poke and a prod – particularly around the climate-control panel – it doesn't exude quite the same impression of solidity as you’ll find in its Audi Q8 and BMW X6 rivals.

Still, it’s certainly not flimsy, and the difference isn’t something that would bother you on a daily basis.

“I don't find the GLE Coupé's trackpad as easy to use as the rotary dial you get to control the BMW X6's infotainment system.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

No one will feel cramped in the front of a Mercedes GLE Coupé – it’s a fairly wide car so there’s no chance you’ll be clashing elbows with the person sitting next to you. In addition, there are lots of useful cubbyholes dotted about the place, along with good-sized door pockets.

Rear leg room is generous, although head room isn’t the GLE Coupé’s strong point, not helped by a standard panoramic glass roof. That means a six-footer will find their head very close to the roof lining while anyone much over that might have to slouch to fit in.

Perhaps surprisingly, the GLE Coupé has a bigger boot than the regular Mercedes GLE, with 655 litres of storage space. That certainly lots of room for shopping, suitcases or anything else you can throw into it.

However, it's important to note that the plug-in hybrid versions lose quite a big chunk of that space, getting 510 litres (less than, say, a Skoda Karoq).

On all versions, the gently sloping roofline means taller items might not fit very easily – or at all. It's best to take a tape measure when you’re looking for some new furniture.

To help cram in more stuff, all GLE Coupés get handy 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, as do the Audi Q8, BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne Coupé.

“If you need plenty of boot space I’d steer you away from the plug-in hybrid versions of the GLE Coupé, which lose a lot of space to the battery pack under the floor.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

Mercedes GLE Coupé prices start quite a bit higher than those for the regular Mercedes GLE. As well as paying extra for sleeker, sportier styling, GLE Coupé buyers miss out on that car’s cheapest engine option – the purely diesel 300d. The GLE Coupé is also more expensive than the BMW X6 and Porsche Cayenne Coupé.

CO2 emissions are high for the regular petrol and diesel models, which sit in the 37% BIK tax bracket for company car users. However, the 350de and 400e plug-in hybrids have long electric ranges and lower CO2 emissions that reduced the BIK rate to 8%. The X6 can’t get anywhere near that – you’d need a PHEV BMW X5 or a Cayenne Coupé to get reasonably close.

Of course, you’re probably aware that the GLE Coupé will cost a fair bit to buy and run, so let's instead focus on the toys you get. Urban Edition is the entry-level trim and it gets plenty of luxuries straight off the bat (hence it’s our recommended trim). That includes heated front seats, a Burmester sound system and an electric tailgate.

AMG Line Premium adds different 21in wheels, grey oakwood interior trim and Napa leather on the steering wheel. Then you have AMG Line Premium Plus, which gains black 22in wheels, a cooling function for the front seats, as well as heating and cooling functions for the cup holders up front.

Every GLE Coupé comes with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty – pretty much par for the course among coupé SUVs. There's also roadside assistance for three years so you won't be stranded on a verge or hard shoulder if you break down.

In our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, the Mercedes GLE performed relatively poorly, ranking second to last in the luxury car class with a reliability score of 88.2%, which is a bit concerning. Only the Porsche Cayenne did worse. As a brand, Mercedes came 22nd out of 31 manufacturers featured.

The GLE Coupé gets plenty of active safety tech as standard, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring. Euro NCAP hasn’t tested it for safety but the regular Mercedes GLE was given the full five stars.

“I’m glad the GLE Coupé comes with plenty of kit. Then again, I’d hope it would do given how expensive it is.” – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

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