Brawn in a Tuxedo: The Mercedes GLE Coupé Conquers Rammert

The GLE Coupé’s Bold Entrance into the SUV, Coupé Segment 

Mercedes didn’t invent the SUV coupé, but they sure know how to dramatize it. The first GLE Coupé from 2015 was more brute than ballet, bulky, with an awkward silhouette that felt forced. But this second, generation model, especially post, 2023 facelift, has shed its adolescent weight. The lines now feel precise, like the whole car has gone through a thousand hours of tailoring. 

From the front, it still has the dominant GLE DNA, wide stance, pronounced grille, and that unmistakable Mercedes LED signature. But move toward the back and the difference becomes clear. The roof tapers gracefully, the rear is no longer bulky, and the entire car feels like a luxury yacht that’s found wheels. 

At 4.94 meters in length, it’s long, no doubt. But it doesn’t look oversized. It looks important. 

And that’s before you even get inside. 

Inside the Beast: Luxury, Tech and Ergonomics 

Step into the GLE Coupé, and you’re immediately met with a familiar but elevated space. I’ve sat in the standard GLE multiple times, and while the dashboard and layout here are nearly identical, the atmosphere is different. It’s more cocooned. The sloping roofline gives the cabin a sportier, cockpit, style feel. 

The dual 12.3, inch screens powered by MBUX stretch across the dash like a digital command center. Voice control works as promised, “Hey Mercedes, take me to Rottenburg” brought up directions without skipping a beat. But the touch, sensitive buttons on the steering wheel? Still a learning curve. On tight corners, I sometimes activated things I didn’t mean to, which became frustrating after an hour of twisty driving. 

Material quality is what you’d expect at this price point, leather, aluminum, soft, touch panels everywhere. But what surprised me was the storage. Mercedes claims 40 liters more internal storage compared to the previous model, and it shows. Everything from my GoPro gear to a pack of snacks had a logical place to go. 

Rear headroom is tight if you’re above 1.90 meters, thank the coupé line for that, but legroom is still generous. And the trunk? Let’s just say my gravel, caked mountain bike fit without removing the front wheel. Officially, the trunk offers up to 1790 liters when you fold the rear seats, but even with them up, 655 liters is a healthy number for a family hauler. 

The Real, World Drive: Rammert Roads, Diesel Torque 

Here’s where the GLE Coupé truly surprised me. I was behind the wheel of the GLE 300 d, a 2.0, liter four, cylinder mild, hybrid diesel that, on paper, shouldn’t feel this strong. But it does. With 289 hp and a stout 550 Nm of torque, this machine pulls like a freight train from as low as 1800 rpm. Mercedes claims a 0, 100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds, but from the driver’s seat it felt quicker, especially on the damp forest roads. 

The 9G, Tronic gearbox is a refined partner. It rarely fumbled a shift, and in comfort mode, you barely feel it working. In Sport mode, it holds gears longer and delivers instant response when you want to overtake a wandering tractor on a blind uphill curve. The boost from the integrated starter, generator is subtle but noticeable, it fills the torque gap like magic when you need quick low, speed response. 

On the open stretch through the clearing near Mössingen, I managed a brief blast up to 190 km/h. The car remained unshakably composed, even on winter rubber. It’s heavy, 2,390 kg to be exact, but it wears its weight well. Overtaking? A breeze. 60 to 100 km/h happened in just over 4 seconds on my stopwatch. And through the bends of the Rammert’s northern loop, the SUV stayed planted, thanks to its standard 4Matic AWD system. 

Suspension, Ride Comfort and Fat Tires: Blessing or Burden? 

Standard air suspension sounds like a dream. And in most scenarios, it is. On the cobbled roads leading to the Rammert’s lower trails, it soaked up chatter with elegant softness. But, and it’s a big but, the test car came with optional 21, inch wheels. They looked fantastic, but they’re overkill for anyone who values comfort over curb appeal. 

The GLE Coupé felt unsettled over sharper imperfections. Expansion joints? Noticeable. Mid, corner bumps? Definitely felt. That’s not the fault of the air suspension, but of the massive, wide tires (275 front, 315 rear) struggling to mask their unsprung weight. Still, the chassis tuning feels right for a car of this size. It doesn’t try to be a sports car, and Mercedes didn’t pretend it should. 

It’s safe, predictable, and carries an understeer, biased balance through tighter corners. On a closed test loop just outside Wurmlingen, the ESP kicked in early, tightening the car’s line like a safety net. It made it feel secure, not sterile. 

Assistance Systems and Daily Usability 

Mercedes has packed the GLE Coupé with every system you can think of. The “Active Distance Assist” worked perfectly in light traffic heading toward Rottenburg. It slowed me down gently as we rolled into a small jam, and even recognized when the traffic cleared. “Active Steering Assist” also managed tight forest roads at lower speeds and made corrections that were almost eerie in their accuracy. 

But not all systems were flawless. The lane, keeping sometimes ping, ponged when markings faded or got wet, and the blind, spot alert occasionally triggered late on tighter roads. 

Still, with adaptive cruise, emergency lane, forming in traffic, and a full suite of sensors and cameras, the GLE Coupé feels like a high, tech fortress. 

Conclusion: Is the Mercedes GLE Coupé a Clever Choice or Just a Fashion Statement? 

After 250 kilometers of Rammert roads, open autobahn, and tight city loops, the GLE Coupé left a strong impression. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it trades a bit of practicality for style. But what you get in return is presence, power, and poise in a way that few vehicles in this niche can match. 

The GLE 300 d is not just a diesel SUV, it’s a refined long, distance cruiser that hides its size with clever engineering. It’s for someone who wants to stand out, but not shout. Who wants utility, but also elegance. It’s not perfect, especially in terms of suspension tuning with large wheels, and the rear space is slightly compromised. But it’s honest. And more importantly, it’s memorable. 

I handed the key back reluctantly, still covered in Rammert’s forest dust. That’s how I know it wasn’t just another test car.