2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe

Most Mercedes-Benzes give their owners industry-leading comfort and technology. The cost of that experience is an expensive base price with expensive options and below-average reliability. The brand produces a wide variety of vehicles for the U.S., including coupes, station wagons, sedans, convertibles, and even two-seat sports cars. Its two- and three-row SUVs that we’ve tested have powerful engines and interiors that are roomy and quiet. Generally, Mercedes-Benz fit and finish, inside and out, is exceptional and helps justify prices. Mercedes-Benz’s EVs range from compact to large three-row SUVs. Across the lineup, controls for the complex climate and infotainment systems aren’t as intuitive as we find in other luxury vehicles. Like most European luxury brands, used Mercedes-Benzes can have expensive out-of-warranty repairs, although Consumer Reports has found used models with above-average reliability.

Based on the redesigned midsized GLE, the GLE Coupe is Mercedes-Benz's answer to the coupelike BMW X6 SUV. The AMG 53 has a powerful 429-hp, 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost. The uplevel AMG 63 S has a 603-hp, 4.0-liter V8 turbo engine. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The new GLE that we tested is very quiet and impeccably finished inside, and has excellent seats. It comes with the Mercedes new infotainment system that has one large screen that contains the instrument panel and center screen. Audio, phone, navigation, and some comfort settings can be changed through the touchscreen, touchpad, or steering-wheel, touch-sensitive controls. We found the system extremely distracting to use, even with the ability to use voice commands. FCW and AEB are standard.