2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV

If you're far too wary of the high-performance AMG-forged GLE 63 S but also not quite impressed enough by the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class SUV, then the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV may just be the vehicle you're looking for. In terms of performance, specification, and size, the GLE 53 SUV is the gold standard of the GLE range, sporting a 429-horsepower turbo gas 6-cylinder that imbues the premium midsize 5-door cruiser with real AMG vigor. While it can most certainly be thrilling to punt down a straight and navigate through corners, it's also luxuriously fluid and graceful. Its suave and sporty aesthetic is illustrative of this and a prelude to the Merc's contemporary and high-tech cabin.

With its $72,350 sticker price, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV is a pricey car but it's absolutely rich-in-value and actually slightly more affordable than its core competitors - the Porsche Cayenne S and the Audi Q7.

Powering the avant-garde cruiser is Mercedes-AMG's new favorite powertrain. which it typically employs for its mid-tier performance offerings. It's a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 unit that blasts out up to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. It operates in tandem with Mercedes' EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which augments acceleration responses from a standstill and supplements the start-stop function with some extra power. It also fills in for turbo-lag and benefits efficiency. The engine comes paired with a 9-speed AMG-Speedshift automatic transmission, which directs outputs to the GLE 53 SUV's 4Matic all-wheel drivetrain.

For a premium performance-SUV that's been purposefully positioned between the amicable GLE-Class Benz and the high-performance-apogee GLE 63 S, the GLE 53 is anything but middling. At full throttle, the 2021 GLE 53 SUV will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 5.2 seconds and it'll remain confidently composed when shooting through bends by virtue of its active roll-bars and air suspension. It's clearly proficient and entertaining but its real strength lies in its serene and refined driving experience. The sophisticated and sporty Merc-AMG styling is attractive and classy, and hints at its performance potential. On the inside, the GLE 53 SUV boasts a truly exquisite cabin design and layout that incorporates a leather-clad steering wheel, a 2.3-inch dual-screen set-up, and an excess of first-rate materials.

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV hasn't undergone review by the USA's vehicle-safety authorities, but the 2020-year version of the regular GLE-Class did and it scored exceptionally well. For the performance nuts, the AMG GLE 53 may not be the best choice, as both BMW and Audi offer more extreme 500-hp versions of their midsize cruisers, but for anyone seeking a genuine luxury cruiser, it's perfect.

There is one version of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 SUV on offer, so your personalization comes down to what add-ons and packages you'd like to throw in. The Mojave Silver Metallic paint scheme is just phenomenal, and works well with the AMG Dynamic Plus Package, which throws in a bunch of AMG-tuned apparatus and 21-inch alloy wheels. The AMG performance exhaust system is also a must-have for the magnificent soundtrack it brings out of the inline-six. We'd round out the features by throwing in the head-up display and panoramic sunroof, as well as the Driver Assistance Package, which brings in an extensive list of favorable driver-assist systems.