2023 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV

Sitting almost smack in the middle of the AMG range is the 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV. It has a good output from a turbo inline-six with 429 horsepower, but it doesn't set out to melt tires. It is spacious, though not cavernous, and it includes all the essential tech while leaving room for you to add some more bells and whistles if you can't bear to go without. It competes with midsize rivals that may be a little more impressive in one area or another, like the Porsche Cayenne S or Audi SQ7, but that's just fine because it makes up for this by being more affordable. Hitting so many sweet spots really makes this feel like the Goldilocks of SUVs, but is it enough of an everyman's type of car to continue being successful in the face of growing competition in the USA's more cut-throat segment?

The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV goes mostly unchanged for the 2023 model year, but the metallic paint colors are no longer extra-cost options.

To be fair, the 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53's price does exclude it from the average consumer's list of options, but it's not as overpriced as some of the competition. The MSRP of the base model is $76,950, which is almost $14k less than an Audi SQ7 or Cayenne S. You'll still have to add $1,150 for the destination charge, and several packages are must-haves depending on how you want to use the SUV. For those who want the best performance possible, you'll likely want the $2,500 high-performance brakes. Meanwhile, buyers with family fore of thought may want to add the Driver Assistance Package and quad-zone climate control.

This is a Merc, so you can rest assured that the interior is going to be spectacular. As a midsize SUV, it has quite a bit of interior space, all of which is well-appointed with classy materials. And as an AMG, you can count on sporty styling, too. This includes a flat-bottomed steering wheel with just enough buttons tacked on to let you control the essential features without getting in the way of the feeling of driving. Dual screens dominate the dashboard and control most of the vehicle systems while lending a modern, tech-forward feel to the cabin. Naturally, a panorama roof is included to add that little bit of extra panache.

Inside the cabin, there is more than enough space for up to five passengers, and the seats are eminently comfortable. If you really want, you can install a third row of seats, but they don't offer much legroom, and the sacrifice to trunk volume might not be worth it. As standard, the front seats are heated and power-adjustable, making it easy to find a comfortable and confident driving position. You can add ventilation, too, or give the second row a power fold and slide function, making accessing the optional third row easier. In general, getting in and out is a relatively easy affair thanks to the large doors and convenient step-in height.

Many premium automakers sacrifice function in the name of form, but Mercedes has ensured that the AMG GLE 53 has more than enough cargo space for most daily tasks. So long as you don't install the optional third row of seats, you get 33.3 cubic feet to work with. Furthermore, if you fold down the second row, this can be expanded to an impressive 74.9 cubes. Family-minded buyers will also appreciate the in-cabin storage options. These include four door pockets, albeit small ones, a standard glove compartment, and a large cubby under the armrest. There are a total of four cupholders, split evenly between the first and second rows.

Mercedes offers a good variety of interior colors so that customers can customize their purchase to their own tastes. Nappa leather is standard in Black, Macchiato Beige/Black, Classic Red/Black, and Bahia Brown/Black. For a nominal fee, you can upgrade to exclusive Nappa leather in all the same hues, but you also get full Macchiato Beige for a pristine interior.

The dash and doors are coated in soft-touch MB-Tex, but you also get a choice of metal or wood accents, including Brushed Aluminum, Brown Linden, Natural Grain Grey Oak, and Natural Grain Brown Walnut. The wood options only cost a little more, but Black Piano Lacquer with Flowing Lines is more expensive, and AMG Carbon Fiber costs close to two grand.

AMG models stand at the top of their respective lineups, so they come with almost everything the automaker has to offer. Sadly, what it leaves off will cost you a pretty penny to add. Still, you get dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated front seats, keyless entry and start, remote start, and ambient lighting.

There are two 12.3-inch displays, one for driver information and the other for infotainment. Programmed features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, navigation, and SiriusXM. A 13-speaker Burmester sound system comes gratis, but you can upgrade to a 25-speaker setup. Other options include ventilated front seats with massage, heated rear seats, quad-zone climate control, in-car Wi-Fi, and a head-up display.

Powering the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV is a six-cylinder engine, turbocharged for 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. It also gets a mild-hybrid system that adds 21 hp and 184 lb-ft in short bursts, which is utilized with the launch control. A nine-speed automatic transmission shifts the gears smartly and swiftly, sending outputs to a 4Matic all-wheel drive system. With all of this, the AMG GLE 53 can go from 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 mph. This is a little slower than direct competitors, but where the Merc falls short in performance, it more than makes up for in comfort.

You don't get a whole lot of ground clearance, so going off-road isn't advised. This sporty car excels on the tarmac, where the air suspension soaks up bumps without breaking a sweat, while still ensuring the tall vehicle remains composed around the bends. Handling these corners is where you'll really feel all 5,000 lbs of the weight, but active anti-roll bars along with AWD ensure you stay planted. Steering is light and responsive, if not the most engaging. Properly equipped, the AMG SUV can tow up to 7,700 pounds.

The combination of a high-power engine and immense weight is not a recipe for good gas mileage, even with hybrid components. Thus, across the city/highway/combined cycles, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 achieves just 18/22/19 mpg.

Luckily, it has a high fuel capacity of 22.5 gallons, so it can still cover a maximum range of 428 miles before being forced to refuel.

The Merc AMG GLE 53 has no official safety rating as a standalone model, and that is unlikely to change, as these types of cars aren't often crash-tested. But if we assess the regular GLE-Class on which the AMG variant is based, it earned top marks and even a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS.

Each model comes equipped with LED lights, a surround-view camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, Pre-Safe, blind-spot monitoring, and parking assist. Plenty of additional features come with the available packages, such as active brake assist, cross-traffic assist, Pre-Safe Plus, evasive steering assist, and active distance assist. Seven airbags are included as standard, but two more can be added to the second-row side-impact zones.

While there is no reliability rating for the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 from the likes of J.D. Power, the SUV has not had a clean track record, with two recalls already issued for the 2023 model, and another six leveled at the 2022 model. Two of these problems carried over from the earlier models, including loss of drive power from fuel pump shutdown, and possible detachment of the rear door window trim bars. The seemingly corrected problems include loss of steering control, a disabled emergency call system, and an unsecured ground connection bolt.

Every new 2023 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 receives a standard four-year/50,000-mile warranty, which covers bumper-to-bumper and powertrain issues. Roadside assistance is available over the same period.

When it comes to attractive SUVs, the performance wing of Mercedes has given us some of the best examples. The GLE 53 continues in this vein with a bold front fascia bearing the traditional Panamericana grille with vertical slats. The LED headlights border the grille and are bisected by a pair of LED daytime running light strips. A panorama roof is installed as standard between a pair of roof rails, and the vehicle rides on large 20-inch alloy wheels, but even bigger 21- and 22-inch variants are available. While there is no spoiler at the back, you do get a power-operated liftgate and quad exhaust outlets.

Though it may not be the quickest or best-handling performance SUV out there, the 2023 AMG GLE 53 is still a great car. It has bold styling, an upscale interior with plenty of space, loads of standard features, and a good level of performance and handling. Furthermore, the GLE manages to maintain liveable practicality despite having a focus on speed, and you can even opt for third-row seating, though it isn't advisable if you want cargo space. A powerful inline-six ensures smooth and athletic performance, while a standard air suspension delivers a buttery smooth ride quality. However, other than its reasonable price, the fact that the GLE 63 exists makes it hard to recommend the GLE 53. The Top-tier AMG model is simply more powerful and serves as a better rival for BMW, Porsche, and Audi, who all have something to offer with more than 500 hp. Simply put, the AMG GLE 53 is a good car, but it isn't as good as the cars it is meant to compete with, which may explain why is also a lot cheaper.