Written by Murray Scullion Updated: 12 October 2023

Overview

Is the Mercedes-AMG GLE any good?

The Mercedes-AMG GLE is a megabucks super-fast kind-of-crazy large SUV from a manufacturer that makes superb engines and lush interiors.

It’s a brilliant car so long as you’re in the market for something that’s big, comfy, fast, obnoxious, and costs more than six figures.

If that sounds pretty niche, then you might be surprised to learn the GLE AMG has plenty of rivals. For starters, there’s Mercedes’ own mighty G-Class, also available with the same engine.

Then there’s the BMW X5M, Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Audi RSQ8 too.

Read the Mercedes-AMG GLE verdict

What’s it like inside?

Step up and into the cabin and you’re greeted with a vast space full of toys and leather.

The steering wheel has a slightly flat bottom but it’s a good size and is easy to use. There are lots of buttons on it, controlling things like the sub menus on the driving information screen and the radio volume.

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Unusually, there’s a scroll wheel on the right hand side that controls the driving modes and a couple of buttons on the left-hand side to control individual setup components such as the exhaust noise level and stiffness of the suspension.

If that doesn’t impress you then this isn’t really the car for you. Both of these are fantastic shortcuts, saving you time by not scrolling through menus on the infotainment screen.

Speaking of which, there are twin 12.3-inch screens. The one on the driver’s side houses the usual mph, revs, and is endlessly configurable, while the one to the left is used as the main infotainment screen. It all works smoothly and seamlessly, and of course, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are provided.

The rear is not quite as vast. There isn’t enough room for three adults to sit comfortably because the middle seat is tiny.

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Boot space is ample for a small family going away for a weekend and the rear seats fold flat too. And unlike with the regular GLE, you can’t spec a seven-seat model.

What’s it like to drive?

We’ve only driven the GLE 63 S so far. It’s bonkers fast. The 0-62mph sprint is loudly completed in 3.8 seconds and it has an electronically limited top speed of 175mph.

This brute force comes from a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine pumping out 612hp. It’s a peach of an engine. It swells with power and easily feels ready for anything.

It sounds amazing too. Deep and powerful but also with a few pleasantly obnoxious pops and bangs when you’re really gunning it. This can all be calmed down at the flick of a button, of course.

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Technically it’s a mild-hybrid. Mercedes reckons it adds 22bhp and helps out with stop-start, helping to reduce emissions. It also has a cylinder shut-off system that allows it to turn off four out of eight of its cylinders when being driven at a sedate pace on the motorway.

It’s still not what you’d call economical. We couldn’t get it to do more than 20mpg.

Confusingly it has a nine-speed automatic gearbox. This seems a bit redundant in such a powerful car that doesn’t really need to change gear in order to achieve peak pulling power. It’s best left in full auto.

The steering is light for such a heavy car. This makes it easy to flow through traffic and tight streets, but a bit less involving on a fun stretch of road. It’s still pretty fun and despite the four-wheel drive the rear end does have a bit of movement to it. A Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5M feel a bit edgier and more extreme. Whether you think that’s a good thing or not is up to you.

It’s damn comfortable. In full-on comfort mode (suspension set to its pillowiest setting) it absorbs the best of what Britain can throw at it. It’s especially good at motorway speeds, with little noise or vibrations translating into the cabin.

We’re yet to sample the GLE 53. Instead of a 4.0-litre V8, it has a 3.0-litre straight six shoehorned into the front. Despite the loss of two cylinders and a litre’s worth of capacity, the 0-62mph time is still a pretty quick 5.3 seconds.

What models and trims are available?

There are two AMG GLEs to choose from. First up is the GLE 53. These cars only come with seven seats, but you do have two trim levels to choose from: Premium or Premium Plus.

As you can imagine, Premium Plus costs more but you get more stuff. This stuff includes a Burmester sound system, 22-inch alloys, and keyless go.

There’s only one GL 63 S to choose from. This is top-spec and it comes fully loaded. The only way you can spend more money is on paint. There’s only one standard colour, and that’s white.

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Further reading

• The best SUVs
• How to drive off-road
• The best sports cars