Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe (2020) Review

Based on the standard GLE, the GLE Coupe is a rival to the BMW X6 with prices expected to start from around £63,000 when it goes on sale in spring 2020.

The eighth model in Mercedes-Benz's SUV line-up, the GLE Coupe is built alongside the GLE and GLC at the firm's plant in Alabama. 

Available from launch with six-cylinder diesel engines in the form of the 350d and 400d as well as a hot AMG GLE 53 petrol, Mercedes-Benz says a plug-in hybrid will follow.

The new GLE Coupe is 4939mm long and 2010mm wide (39mm longer and 7mm wider than its predecessor). The wheelbase has grown by 20mm compared with the predecessor, but remains 60mm shorter than that of the GLE.

The GLE Coupe's interior features two large 12.3-inch screens, as per the regular GLE, while man-made leather upholstery is standard in the GLE Coupe. Sports seats are also standard as is a new sports steering wheel with nappa leather trim.

The SUV's large dimensions means there's a generous amount of interior space, with extra room for rear occupants than the old model. There's an extra 40 litres of stowage space, while the 655-litre boot can be increased to 1790 thanks to 40:20:40 dropping rear seats.

The GLE Coupé offers the latest generation of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. The information on the instrument cluster and media display is easily legible on the large, high-resolution screens. 

The base engines at launch are six-cylinder in-line turbodiesel engines.

The two diesel-engined GLE Coupé models are powered by the OM 656, the six-cylinder in-line engine from the current engine family. It is available in two output levels, as the GLE Coupe 350 d 4MATIC rated at 272PS and 600Nm (combined fuel consumption: 35.3-37.7mpg; combined CO2 emissions:
211-197 g/km) and as the GLE Coupé 400 d 4MATIC rated at 330PS and 700Nm torque (combined fuel consumption: 35.3-37.7mpg; combined CO2 emissions: 212-198 g/km). 

Up to 100 per cent of torque can be transferred between the axles to aid handling, while Mercedes-Benz says the shorter wheelbase increases agility. As standard the new GLE Coupe features steel suspension chassis with sportier and tauter tuning compared to the regular GLE.