2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe Review

Name: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe Review
Brand: Mercedes-Benz
Rating: 4.7 (9 reviews)

Price Range: $37,998 - $51,998

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$39,197 avg. price

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Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe model years

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Cameron Rogers

Pros

Premium-feeling and well-trimmed interior
Many standard safety and technology features
Surprisingly comfortable ride quality, given its performance abilities
Even the pavement-pounding AMG GLE 63 S is easy to drive around town

Cons

Roofline compromises backseat headroom
Cargo space is similar to that of a compact SUV
Only two trim levels available
Heavy, with minimal off-road capability

What’s new

The AMG GLE 43 is slightly more powerful, increasing engine output from 362 horsepower to 385 hp. A new AMG Performance Studio package debuts for the GLE 43, adding black exterior elements and orange-rimmed wheels, among other appearance upgrades. Otherwise, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe is unchanged for 2018.

Vehicle overview

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe is not for the faint of heart or practical of mind.

For sale near Thibodaux, LA

19 listings

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2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe
AMG GLE 43 4MATIC 4dr SUV
$41,998
fair price
$33 above market
- 40,434 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 17 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- CarMax Nashville (495 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Nashville, TN
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: Yes
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (17 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 4JGED6EB6JA096358
Stock: 27395684
Certified Pre-Owned: No
New Listing
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe
AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC 4dr SUV
$47,998
- 49,053 miles
- 5 Seats, 14 City / 18 Hwy MPG
- CarMax Texas Stadium (Irving) (415 mi away)
- Delivery available*
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Irving, TX
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary Unavailable.
Features and Specs:
15 Combined MPG (14 City/18 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 4JGED7FB5JA118497
Stock: 26498543
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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While most people buy crossovers for their superior passenger and cargo space compared to sedans or wagons, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe instead prioritizes style over utility. Relative to the standard GLE-Class, the GLE Coupe's swoopy roofline reduces both rear seat headroom and vertical storage space in the back. So if the "utility" aspect of this SUV is compromised, where exactly does it shine?

Ostensibly, the GLE-Class Coupe is more interested in that "sport" bit. Most Mercedes-Benz vehicles offer a variety of engines that run the gamut from fuel-efficient to tire-shredding. The GLE-Class Coupe skips the boring stuff and comes in just two versions: outlandish and ludicrous. The so-called base engine is a twin-turbo V6 churning out nearly 400 horsepower, while the AMG 63 S' twin-turbo V8 cranks out nearly 600 hp.

Though the GLE Coupe absolutely stomps in a straight line, Mercedes' engineers weren't able to do much to enhance this vehicle's handling prowess. Even compared to some similarly designed crossovers, the coupe just isn't much fun to drive. The end result is a vehicle that isn't especially practical or sporty.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

If you find the current crop of luxury crossovers overly subdued, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe might be the cure. Its fastback profile stands out on the road, and its rapid acceleration will knock your lederhosen off. However, its sleek bodywork reduces passenger and cargo room.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe AMG GLE 63 S (5.5L twin-turbo V8 | 7-speed automatic | AWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current GLE-Class Coupe has received only minor revisions. Our findings remain applicable to the 2018 GLE-Class Coupe

Driving

It's tremendously powerful and agile for its size, but you never forget just how heavy this GLE Coupe is. It's civilized when you're just cruising around. A puzzling vehicle, it's effective in the same way a gold-plated hammer is.

Acceleration

Giddying thrust from the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8. Big-hearted and punchy. The seven-speed automatic is a bit dull-witted and doesn't lead the class in its response to gear-change requests. It's smooth, though. It blitzed to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds in our testing.

Braking

Despite its mass, it stops from 60 mph in a respectable 112 feet. Pedal feel around town is intuitive and easy to modulate.

Steering

The steering is reasonably precise and well-weighted, though feel is on the numb side. No bad manners, though. The quick steering ratio helps make this bruiser a bit easier to wield.

Handling

For its size, it's more adept than you might expect. Heavy and stable. Body roll is reasonably contained, and it changes direction without drama. But other sporting SUVs have better handling.

Drivability

It's quite pleasant in normal driving. It behaves in a civilized manner in routine driving. Smooth gear changes. The idle-stop feature responds acceptably quickly when restarting. This is a vehicle you could let your grandparents drive.

Comfort

It has well-shaped seats and better noise isolation than you might expect. The GLE Coupe rides better than its primary competitor, the BMW X6 M. The engine sounds terrific.

Seat comfort

The front seats are supportive but can still deliver good comfort during long drives. The optional massage function is entertaining. Reasonably comfortable back seat.

Ride comfort

Better ride compliance than the BMW X6 M. The standard air suspension rounds off the sharp edges of the road and does a fine job of controlling the car's large 22-inch wheels.

Noise & vibration

Very effective noise isolation. The engine is vocal during even light acceleration, but it's unobtrusive and very satisfying to hear. Very good suppression of wind noise. Road noise is not as bad as the huge steamroller tires would suggest.

Interior

While finely trimmed, the GLE 63's cabin suffers due to the low and sloping roofline, which eats up interior space. There's surprisingly little space inside given the gargantuan outside dimensions. All of the downsides of a large vehicle with none of the upsides.

Ease of use

Like all modern Benzes, this has a well-laid-out cabin that's intuitive to use. We like the big climate control knobs and the thick steering wheel. The row of shiny buttons looks nice but lacks readability.

Getting in/getting out

There's a fairly tall step up into the cabin. Getting in is impeded by the running board; it's too narrow to be useful but still gets in your way. The rear door opening is small because of the low roofline.

Roominess

The sloping roof is for style only; it eats up backseat headroom and cargo space. The sense of spaciousness up front is better than in the rear. Front passengers enjoy reasonable leg- and headroom. Rear legroom is good; headroom less so.

Visibility

Its wide pillars and short windows impede outward visibility significantly. The backup camera helps, as do the parking sensors. The view out the front is pretty good.

Quality

Beautiful interior surroundings. Diamond-pattern leather and rich-looking materials abound. No rattles or squeaks in our test car. Finished to a high standard.

Utility

Cargo space is limited, although the cabin has plenty of nooks for smaller items. If utility is a priority, look to the standard GLE-Class SUV, not the GLE Coupe.

Small-item storage

Interior storage is just barely adequate, limited to the inside of the center console, an odd recess underneath the center stack and door pockets. You expect a little more in a luxury SUV .

Cargo space

It has much less cargo-holding capacity than its non-coupe stablemate. The liftover height is rather high. The cargo hold is not very tall, but it is deep.

Technology

We're happy to see Apple CarPlay make its debut in the GLE Coupe, but the lack of a touchscreen makes it all but unusable. The control and adjustability are beyond what the COMAND interface can handle. The touchpad and dial are two separate systems, and actions and motions don't carry over.

Audio & navigation

Our tester's Harman Kardon audio system sounds good and is easy to use. Inputting destinations is straightforward, and the system provides sufficient directions to maximize success. The biggest challenge will be in getting into the proper mode by jogging and spinning the dial controller.

Smartphone integration

Bluetooth pairing is quick, and both USB ports in the center console can be accessed by the head unit. The lower of the two USB ports is dedicated to Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration, but accessing that mode is tremendously difficult.

Driver aids

The adaptive cruise control works great, and the function is easy to access via the cruise control stalk. Blind-spot detection is just about perfect, and lane departure feedback is gentle. Lane-centering is fine for extremely intermittent use.

Voice control

The voice recognition system doesn't recognize plain text inputs via the touchpad. The system has a specific order and way of inputting commands. This can get tricky since the system is a bit laggy, so you find yourself repeating and mis-timing commands.

Compare 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe models

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe is a five-passenger midsize SUV available in two trim levels: AMG GLE 43 and AMG GLE 63 S. Both can tow up to 7,200 pounds and are equipped with standard 4Matic all-wheel drive. Despite their similar names, a vast gulf in price and performance separates the two variants. The AMG GLE 43 is well-equipped as standard, and on the whole it could be described as a reasonable alternative to everyday luxury people movers. There's very little that's reasonable about the AMG GLE 63 S, however, and its fans embrace its ludicrousness as a badge of honor.

Powering the AMG GLE 43 is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (385 horsepower, 384 pound-feet of torque) and a nine-speed automatic. Standard equipment highlights include 21-inch wheels, an adaptive air suspension, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable steering wheel, heated front seats, driver-seat memory settings, premium vinyl upholstery and a 115-volt household-style power outlet.

Standard tech and safety features include an 8-inch central display, the COMAND infotainment interface, a navigation system, a 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning and intervention, and a forward collision warning system with automatic emergency braking.

Two primary options packages are available for the GLE 43. The reasonably priced Premium 2 package includes heated and cooled front cupholders, interior ambient lighting, illuminated doorsills and a center pass-through for the rear seat. The Premium 3 pack further adds a 360-degree parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, an automated steering system, a collision avoidance system, lane departure mitigation and an automated parallel parking system.

It's a big step up pricewise to the AMG GLE 63 S. Under the hood is a turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 (577 hp, 561 lb-ft of torque) mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. It adds 22-inch wheels, summer performance tires, active stabilizer bars, bigger brakes, adaptive LED headlights, automatic high-beam control, a carbon fiber engine cover, a 360-degree parking camera, noise-reducing front-row windows, a sport steering wheel, heated and ventilated front sport seats, front passenger memory settings, upgraded leather upholstery and the contents of the Premium 2 package. It also includes the Premium 3 package's 360-degree parking camera and parking system.

There are a few appearance packages as well. Both models can be equipped with the Night package, which adds gloss-black lower valances and window surrounds. The GLE 43-only AMG Performance Studio package includes the Night package plus an orange lip on the front bumper, an orange stripe on the wheels and faux-suede seat inserts.

Notable stand-alone options include tri-zone climate control, a premium 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, multicontour massaging front seats, heated rear seats, a rear entertainment system and a trailer hitch. Optional for the GLE 63 S is a performance exhaust system.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Louisiana

$232/mo

$161/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe Owner Reviews

4.7

9 reviews

5(78%)

4(11%)

3(11%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Nice Vehicle But Many Annoyances

John S., 10/18/2016

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl Turbo 7A)

The vehicle is fun to drive -- it accelerates fast, handles fast, steers and brakes well, gets reasonable gas mileage, and is quiet and comfortable inside. Unfortunately several design details are pure nonsense and detract from enjoyment of this vehicle: (1) The exhaust outside the car sounds absolutely horrible, like a diesel truck except it's not a diesel (but thankfully it IS quiet …

10 months into it and can’t be happier

GTrue17, 06/26/2017

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (5.5L 8cyl Turbo 7A)

17,000 Mile Update: Continues to be a very fun car, however I keep eating through tires every 6k miles on the rear, 8k-9k on the front. I can't keep my foot off the gas peddle. Keeping it very safe, but the experience is unmatched. Summer tires I have used the Pirelli P Zeros and Continental SportContact 5's. The Conti's are much more stickier than the Pirelli's. Both have the same 220 … tread rating, so both have the short life of 5-7k depending on how well you drive the vehicle. The more you drive it like its intended to be driven, the quicker you will go through the tread. If you get more than that, you are using it wrong! Bought a set of 21" wheels off a GLE 43 on ebay. Be careful that you buy the right one that's compatible with the car and the right 21" wheel. There is two of them that work with the 63S. One is still the same 325 and 285 widths. The other 315 and 275 fits All Season and Winter Tires. I have all seasons now and just use those in Texas starting in November - March. The All Seasons have double the treadwear from the summer tires, so we'll see how it plays out over the next 6 months. 10,000 Mile Update: The car continues to be awesome. Just be ready to pay the price for tires every 10k-15k. It’s well worth it though. No other SUV can come close to the performance and handling. It continues to def physics and very safe. Also you need to buy winter wheels/tires for very cold climates. No snow tires for the 325’s on the rear. Original Review: I have been driving this vehicles for 6000 miles in the last 4 months. It's an amazing vehicle to get the family safely around town in safety, comfort, and style yet still adequate enough for long road trips. Trunk fits 2 large samsonite suitcases and two small suitcases with room to spare. The suitcase test was my final test since we travel a lot! I can't begin to explain how amazing the performance is on this vehicle. The Torque is amazing. Press on the gas and it goes at any RPM. Put it in Sports mode, and you can nimbly get around. Put it in Sport Plus mode and you can rock the house. It's especially fun going into tunnels and under bridges as you, BAP BAP and echo we get anyone driving and texting look up finally! It's a crazy vehicle, but amazingly safe with all the great features of Mercedes. Quality is second to none. I was shocked a vehicle out of Alabama would come out so well. Keep in mind the Engine is hand built by an individual in Affalterbach Germany and the Transmission also comes from Germany. 7 Speed is perfect for this engine, and I couldn't bare a 9-speed on this beautiful and sensual engine. My second row didn't come with Side Seat airbags for some reason. It wasn't a custom order, but I thought they all did. Look out for that if it's important to you and makes sense for your passengers' age. I'm fine without it because the kids will be in car seats for a few more years. Also, its a gas guzzler, but the Coasting feature will actually disengage the engine from the axle, so it's smooth sailing when you let go of the gas, and you make up for 2-3 miles per gallon easy.

Sports SUV? Yes!

John S., 06/01/2016

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A)

We bought the GLE Coupe because my wife wanted an SUV to sit up high, but she didn't want to look like a soccer mom, and she liked the styling better than the BMW X6. I went along with it because the cargo area and back seat are still pretty big and this thing really does act like a big sports car. The acceleration, braking, and steering are excellent, but what's surprising is that …

For someone that likes a big sporty vehicle

Bill Proestler, 02/23/2016

2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe GLE 450 AMG 4MATIC 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 9A)

I traded in a 2013 ML for the GLE Coup. This is great for someone that likes a large sporty vehicle for safety and comfort reasons, but doesn't care about the actual utility. That's why I also have a truck. I find that the GLE Coup with the 362 HP engine, has plenty of acceleration compared to my old ML 350. Also, the adjustable air suspension provides a more comfortable ride in the …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe, so we've included reviews for other years of the GLE-Class Coupe since its last redesign.

See all 9 reviews of the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe

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2018 GLE-Class Coupe Highlights

Trim:

AMG GLE 43 4MATIC

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$70,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$232/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	23.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the GLE-Class Coupe models:

Surround View System: Displays a top-down, 360-degree view of the GLE Coupe in the central display screen, making it much easier to park.
Active Brake Assist: Scans the area ahead and warns you about potential forward collisions. Can automatically apply the brakes as well.
Pre-Safe: Detects imminent collisions or rollovers and tightens the front seat belts, adjusts the front passenger seat and closes all windows.

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2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

For sale near Thibodaux, LA

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class CoupeAMG GLE 43 4MATIC 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class CoupeAMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC 4dr SUV

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Which GLE-Class Coupe does Edmunds recommend?

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe models

Cost to Drive

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Nice Vehicle But Many Annoyances

10 months into it and can’t be happier

Sports SUV? Yes!

For someone that likes a big sporty vehicle

2018 GLE-Class Coupe Highlights

Safety

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2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe
AMG GLE 43 4MATIC 4dr SUV

2018 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe
AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC 4dr SUV