2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Review

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE is Mercedes' midsize luxury SUV. Mercedes redesigned it last year, and it's earned a top spot in our rankings because of its high levels of luxury, refinement and technology. Now Mercedes is expanding the GLE's lineup with the performance-focused AMG GLE 63 S.

This isn't simply a mild enhancement of the GLE. Under the hood is a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that pumps out a towering 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That power is driven through a nine-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system with a limited-slip differential for the rear axle.

Corners are bludgeoned into submission by a multimode adaptive air suspension with tires that are extremely wide and sticky. Incredibly, Mercedes is insisting the AMG GLE 63 S will also have off-road capability and include Sand and Trail driving modes with specific stability control programming and an additional 2.16 inches of ground clearance. We suspect you might want to get more appropriate tires for that dirty work.

We started our drive in the GLE 63 S in its default Comfort drive mode. Initially, we thought "This is an AMG? An AMG 63?" In the confines of suburbia, the drudgery of city congestion and on flowing highways, the 63 S is mild-mannered and not at all the fire-breathing beast the press releases portray it as. The burly V8 sounds like a V6, and not a particularly sonorous one. The ride is slightly stiffer but nowhere close to being objectionable.

This AMG GLE 63 S drives much like the standard GLE that we rank so highly. At first. But lay into the throttle and the engine springs to life, launching you forward with much more aggression than the base GLE is capable of. The sound, however, is still uninspired. At first.

Flick the drive mode switch down a few times to access Sport Plus mode and this GLE begins to earn its AMG badge. The valves in the exhaust open up to deliver the throaty V8 growl we've been missing. Throttle response becomes more immediate, and the suspension stiffens up a bit.

Around turns, there's no masking the size and weight of the GLE, and that becomes abundantly clear as a passenger. Seeing curves approach at rapid pace can be unnerving, but from the driver's seat, you have far more confidence. This isn't one of those instances where we claim it drives like a smaller vehicle, but it is as capable as one. Even when slicing through curves at higher-than-normal speeds, the GLE is composed, and there's not a hint of tire squeal.

Receiving a lot of the handling credit is a well-tuned suspension and big sticky tires. Mercedes' Active Ride Control suspension system also deserves praise since it helps to keep the tall SUV cornering flat through turns, rather than heeling over like a yacht turning downwind. This system doesn't go as far as the regular GLE's E-Active Body Control that tips the vehicle into turns like a motorcyclist. Instead, it keeps the AMG GLE more even with the horizon without any unusual squirms or motions.

Our complaints are few and minor. The transmission occasionally makes some uncharacteristically rough gear changes, and the lane-keeping assist system is far too sensitive and heavy-handed in its steering corrections when it tries to keep you in your lane. Thankfully you can alter or disable the latter.

The AMG GLE 63 S interior doesn't visually distinguish itself from the standard GLE. Upon closer inspection and once you slip into the front seats, the differences are appropriately subtle. You get the chunkier AMG steering wheel, and the seats have noticeably beefier side bolstering to keep you firmly anchored when cornering.

The premium Nappa leather upholstery is standard — you have to pay extra for it in the standard GLE. That theme carries over throughout the cabin as you get more features that are obligatory rather than optional. These include a head-up display, a low-level automated driving assistant, quad-zone climate control, massaging front seats and an inspiring Burmester surround-sound system. An augmented reality layover for navigation directions is also available for the praiseworthy MBUX infotainment system.

Otherwise, the AMG variant is identical to the regular GLE, and that's a good thing. We give it high marks for the amount of space you get and the liberal use of high-quality materials.

Surprise! The AMG version is just as convenient as the regular GLE, though we're not considering the more frequent trips to the gas station. The GLE's cargo capacity is among the biggest in the midsize SUV class. For smaller personal effects, there are plenty of pockets, cubbies and bins for everything. The rear seats easily accommodate taller adults as well as large rear-facing child seats.

Unlike with the standard GLE, Mercedes doesn't offer the AMG 63 S with the optional third-row seat. But considering how small and confining they are, we can't say that's a big loss. Plus, if you really need more people-hauling abilities, there's the GLS that is also available in identical AMG form.