Built to thrill
Streamlined meets sporty in the new Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, writes Metropol’s motoring man Ben Selby.
The whole SUV-come-coupe segment was not really something I could get excited about. My attitude changed when I sampled this new offering from Mercedes-Benz. The coupe’s flowing rear section and slippery-looking accents are the most obvious cues to separate it from the regular SUV. It’s nothing new to the range but the latest version’s stylistic refresh (with a restyled headlight and taillight cluster and Mercedes-Benz logo adorned grill) makes for a jolly handsome car.
Inside is awash with leather and other high-quality materials. Up front you have some delightfully comfortable and supportive heated and ventilated seats and centre stage sits the latest MBUX infotainment system with all the fruit you would expect in a car of this type. Rear seat legroom is generous as is headroom in the rear and boot space is a hefty 655L with the second row in place. The only trade off with that sloping rear roofline is that rear visibility is somewhat compromised over the SUV.
Power comes from a 3.0L six-cylinder twin-turbocharged petrol engine aided by a 48v Mild Hybrid ISG system. Mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission sending drive to all four wheels, hence the 4MATIC bit, you will get a decent 280kW and 500Nm of torque to play with. That said, when you move off, it becomes obvious the GLE coupe is a rather different animal. In spite of its 2235kg kerb weight, it feels sharper and more of a ‘point and shoot’ kind of car. It remains an entirely sumptuous and supple ride thanks to the optional Airmatic adaptive suspension but there is a subtle edge to it, which makes the handling just that little bit more dynamic.
The coupe sports a low-down torque curve and most of those 500Nm kick in early aided by the ISG hybrid system, resulting in a dignified surge of power, especially in Sport mode. Flicking through the gears via the paddles is met with a slight delay on the way up but rapid going down. I spent most of my time in auto mode sauntering along at a steady pace, though it can do the more spirited stuff when necessary.
While you can opt for the hot AMG variants for a considerable increase in grunt and addition of other go-faster kit, a price hike comes with the privilege. If you want an incredibly refined, well-equipped and peppy performer with good looks and a touch of stately elegance, you really can’t go wrong with Mercedes-Benz’s new GLE 450 Coupe.
FACT FILE 2025 Mercedes GLE450 4MATIC Coupe
Price: $174,499
Engine: 3.0L twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Drivetrain: AWD
Power: 280kW
Torque: 500Nm
Wheels: 22-inch AMG alloy (optional)
Weight: 2235kg
