Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe

GLE Coupé at a glance

The GLE Coupé was Mercedes-Benz's answer to the BMW X6, combining the size and four-wheel drive of a large SUV with a lower, more sporting roofline. It shares its platform, mechanicals and interior with the GLE of the same generation. The brand's history is told in Mercedes-Benz: classic German cars, and its models, from the Mercedes-Benz GLC to the S-Class, are in the Mercedes-Benz catalogue.

First generation (C292, 2015–2019)

The first GLE Coupé was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2015. Based on the W166 GLE (the former M-Class), it used the same platform and interior but a sleeker body with a falling roofline. According to the old 1cars text, buyers could choose standard steel springs, the ADS Plus adaptive damping or air suspension on both axles, and active anti-roll bars were optional. The launch range included the 350 d 4MATIC diesel, the 400 4MATIC petrol and an AMG-badged 450 model with six-cylinder engines.

The range was topped by the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupé, with a 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 585 bhp and 768 Nm. Production ended in August 2019 after the arrival of the new W167 generation. The C292 used a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic according to the old 1cars text; the W166 GLE it was based on also offered the seven-speed 7G-Tronic Plus.

Second generation (C167, from 2019)

The second GLE Coupé is based on the W167 GLE, which was unveiled at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. It uses a nine-speed automatic gearbox and the latest generation of Mercedes driver assistance systems. Engines in the W167 range include:

These figures are for the W167 GLE range; the Coupé uses the same powertrains in its market-specific line-ups. The January 2023 facelift for the 2024 model year brought new headlights and tail lights, new bumpers, new wheels and a new steering wheel to the GLE range, and a further update was announced for the 2027 model year.

Timeline

Engine choices compared

The GLE Coupé has always offered a wide range of power outputs. At the entry level, the four-cylinder GLE 350 provides 190 kW (258 PS), enough for 0–100 km/h in 7.6 seconds. The six-cylinder GLE 450 with mild-hybrid assistance raises output to 270 kW (367 PS). The AMG GLE 53 adds an electric boost of 16 kW for short bursts, and the plug-in hybrids combine strong torque of up to 700 Nm with the ability to drive on electricity for short trips. At the top, the AMG 63 S models use twin-turbo V8 engines.

Design and practicality

The GLE Coupé's defining feature is its roofline, which slopes down towards a short tail. The old 1cars text notes that the design is more striking than elegant and that the first generation was positioned directly against the BMW X6. The interior is shared with the regular GLE of the same generation; our comparison of the GLE Coupé and GLE looks at the differences in more detail.

Safety and equipment

In the 2019 Euro NCAP test of the W167 GLE, on which the second-generation Coupé is based, the car scored 91% for adult occupants, 92% for children, 78% for pedestrians and 79% for safety assist. According to the old 1cars text, the first-generation Coupé offered PRE-SAFE with Brake Assist Plus and cross-traffic assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Traffic Sign Assist and pedestrian emergency braking. AMG versions add sports seats, dual-zone climate control and a reversing camera with parking sensors.

Rivals: how the GLE Coupé compares

The GLE Coupé competes with the BMW X6, the Audi Q8 and the Porsche Cayenne Coupé. Its strengths are a refined, well-equipped cabin, a wide choice of engines including plug-in hybrids and high-performance AMG versions, and strong crash-test results for the GLE platform. Its weaknesses are the high cost of the AMG models and the weight of a large SUV.