An E-Class on stilts?
The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class is the E-Class-based SUV for those seeking luxury and style, and the best in technology. Prospective GLE buyers will fall in love with the brushed steel finishes, stylish leather/suede seats, and massive infotainment screens up front. The MBUX virtual assistant (a standard feature on all models) is also a great help when you need to adjust vehicle and infotainment settings while you drive. New, tech-savvy drivers will know exactly how to operate the AI and fully utilize the on-board technology. (Download the GLE brochure here.)
The AMG GLE models are available in two states of tune and two body styles. Families usually do not opt for the coupé models, as they offer slightly less headroom, although there's a smidgen more boot space available.
Power, and safety features
As you can see from our table below, the GLE53 is powered by a 3.0-litre straight six engine with a mild-hybrid system that offers 320kW along with an additional 16kW boost from the electric motor. The big-daddy GLE63 S has a walloping 4.0-litre V8 with 450 kW plus 16kW and a mammoth 850 Nm of torque. This power drives all four wheels for extra grip, hence the 4MATIC+ nomenclature. Mercedes-Benz's AMG Speedshift TXT 9G-Tronic takes care of gear changes, and you have steering-mounting gearshift paddles at your disposal too.
While the Mercedes-AMG GLE models have every conceivable safety system available, not all of it is standard: you still have to pay for things such as a tyre repair kit, a blind spot monitor, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, keyless access, rear privacy glass, directional headlamps, and a head-up display.
On the plus side, standard safety features include hill-start assist, traction and stability control, hill-descent control, a tyre pressure sensor, nine airbags, navigation, rain-sensing wipers, light sensing headlamps with daytime running lamps, automatic headlight-levelling, and auto-dimming interior mirrors, among others.
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Mercedes-AMG GLE53 4MATIC+ (336kW / 520Nm) 0-100 km/h in 5.3 sec
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R1 851 280 |
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Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Coupe 4MATIC+ (336kW / 520Nm)
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R1 939 040 |
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Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S 4MATIC+ (466kW / 850 Nm) 0-100 km/h in 3.8 sec
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R2 907 440 |
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Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S Coupe 4MATIC+ (466 kW / 850 Nm)
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R2 970 920 |
Verdict
The Mercedes-AMG GLE range is perhaps a bit excessive for a new driver. While there are multiple assistance systems on board, these can be switched off, or the driver can simply override them. Also, what are you going to be doing with 850 Nm when we have a 120 km/h national speed limit? Young drivers are seen as high risk, and the insurance costs are going to be ridiculous. Fuel bills are also going to be sky-high, despite the cylinder shut-off functionality. And lastly, if your aim is to drive the AMG GLE aggressively, it's a complete no-no. There's no point in doing silly things when many other road users are in cars that have inferior safety features, or none at all, as this personal experience points out:
Many moons ago, I was a front passenger in a car on one of our national highways. The driver was happily driving along at 120 km/h, when another car failed to stop at a junction and made a right turn into the road we were travelling on. Our vehicle, an old Mercedes-Benz C-Class, hit the passenger side of the other vehicle, which was a small, dilapidated sedan. The unfortunate passenger did not survive the accident — he died later on in hospital, while I was treated for a cut on my knee and sustained bruises where the seatbelt had restrained me. But that was it. Whenever I drive a powerful car, I always keep this in mind.
Alternatives?
Well, that depends on how much space you need, but if I were to advise a young driver on which new car to buy, and he/she specifically wants a Mercedes-Benz SUV, I would suggest a non-AMG Mercedes-Benz GLA, GLB, or GLC. This way you still have the elevated ride height and ample power but not ridiculous amounts thereof.
If you have your heart set on a GLE, why not opt for a GLE 300d? Prices start from R1 427 080.
Did you know?
The GLE is at the forefront of pioneering safety features. Should you decide to go for a GLE in any size or form, specifying the assistance packages below would certainly bestow additional peace of mind upon the owner/driver, especially if it's an inexperienced one:
Mercedes-Benz has won the Euro NCAP test of assistance systems for semi-automated driving (SAE Level 2) with a "very good" rating. The brand with the star was represented by the GLE SUV model. The GLE includes the Driving Assistance Package and the Driving Assistance Package Plus, which won the test with a top score of 174 points (87% of the total score) against nine competitors from various vehicle classes, including two other vehicles from the premium segment.
The driver assistance package of the Mercedes-Benz GLE has several functions that enable semi-automated driving to noticeably relieve the driver in many everyday driving situations. State-of-the-art systems warn the driver in case of an impending accident and intervene, for example, through autonomous emergency braking to reduce the severity of possible collisions or even avoid them altogether.
Euro NCAP particularly praises the fact that these are cooperative systems that support rather than patronize the driver. For example, Active Steering Assist can even support the driver when steering in curves. Up to 130 km/h, it is not necessarily dependent on clearly visible road markings, but can – as in a swarm – continue to actively intervene even when lines are unclear (e.g. in construction sites) or even without lines. Thus, the system can effectively relieve and support especially in stop-and-go and congested traffic. The driver can easily and intuitively override the system at any time and can thus fully perform the driving task again. - Mercedes-Benz
I should mention that autonomous safety braking is a standard feature on all GLE models, so worst case scenarios can be prevented, but no system is 100 percent fool-proof.
