Used Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe for sale: everything you need to know

The BMW X6 showed there was a ready market for SUVs with swooping rooflines, and Mercedes-Benz was quick to capitalise on the idea with the GLE Coupe launched in 2015. It’s clearly worked well for the brand, as a second generation followed in 2019, and that’s the car we’re concentrating on here.

As the name suggests, the GLE Coupe is effectively a Mercedes-Benz GLE with a greater slope to its roofline. This results in a little less rear headroom and boot space than the boxier rear of the regular GLE, but as a large car the GLE Coupe will still be practical enough for most buyers’ needs - and anyway, style sells in this sector.

The BMW X6 is the GLE Coupe’s key rival, but Audi also got in on the act with the Audi Q8, while even Porsche took a razor to the Cayenne, creating the Cayenne Coupe. And while its roofline isn’t as fast, the Range Rover Sport is another prominent option in this sector; you really are spoiled for choice.

Should you buy a Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe?

Perhaps the most pertinent question if you’re in the market for a coupe SUV like the GLE Coupe is how much practicality you wish to give up in favour of a sleeker roofline. The next question might be whether you’d even notice: the Coupe’s 655-litre boot is actually bigger than that of the regular GLE, thanks to the car itself being slightly longer.

What you miss out on is the availability of a third row of seats, and because the roof line dips sooner than it does in the standard car, it’s a little less adept at accommodating tall rear passengers. Kids will hardly notice though, other than the reduced glazing making it a little darker in the back. It’s also worth noting that the hybrid 350 de has a smaller boot, thanks to its battery pack taking up more space.

Practicality concerns aside, the GLE Coupe has many of the same benefits as the regular GLE. The dashboard is dominated by a pair of digital screens and a wide layout with four central vents, you sit relatively high, and it’s generally built well - though both design and quality look and feel a step or two behind the equivalent Audi, BMW, or Porsche.

Mercedes has given the GLE Coupe a slightly firmer setup to complement its sportier styling, but it still tends towards a more comfortable experience rather than a sporty one. If you want a genuinely dynamic coupe SUV, a Porsche Cayenne is a better bet. All the GLE’s engines are strong performers, with the diesel in particular being a great all-rounder.

We’ve already covered a few of the GLE Coupe’s key rivals, and each alternative in this class has something to recommend it. For driving experience the Porsche Cayenne Coupe takes the prize with the BMW X6 close behind. Don’t forget about the Tesla Model X too - it’s not a patch on the others for style, handling, or quality, but it’s quick and practical, and shouldn’t cost much to run.

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What’s the best used Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe model to buy?

If you’re already set on a GLE Coupe then there’s no bad choice among the engines and trim levels on offer. In fact, there’s not much choice to begin with: take the high-performance AMGs out of the equation and you’re left with a plug-in hybrid petrol, and a traditional turbodiesel (though the earlier, first-generation model had a few more engines). The plug-in will make the most sense if you do a higher proportion of urban driving, thanks to a surprising 54 miles of EV range, but the smooth six-cylinder diesel is a pleasure to use.

The awkwardly-named AMG Line Premium Plus is the only trim level outside of the proper AMGs and as you’d expect, comes with almost everything you’d want - though Mercedes still offered option packages, so keep an eye out for these when you find a used model. And the AMGs? Take your pick - both are quick and both are thirsty, in varying degrees.

Used Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe fuel economy and performance

• Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 de Coupe: The 350 de uses a 2-litre four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with assistance from an electric motor, as part of a hybrid drivetrain. Combined power is 320PS, which carries the GLE from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds. Economy, heavily influenced by a claimed 54 miles of EV range, is a combined 313.9mpg.
• Mercedes-Benz GLE 400 d Coupe: Despite no hybrid assistance, the larger 3-litre inline six turbodiesel of the 400 d makes a little more power than the 350 de, at 330PS. It’s quicker too, getting from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, but on-paper economy isn’t as high, at 34mpg combined.
• Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe: The first of two AMG engines is a 3-litre turbocharged inline six petrol, developing 435PS with a small 22PS boost from an electric motor. 0-62mph takes a claimed 5.3 seconds, while economy is quoted at 26.2mpg.
• Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe: AMG’s familiar 4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 powers the top GLE 63 S. It makes 612PS in this form (with a 22PS electric boost), for a 3.8-second 0-62mph time. Economy is up to 23mpg combined.

What used Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe trim levels are available?

No Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe is badly equipped - by this point in the Mercedes range, you can consider almost any model a luxury car, with features to match. The range of trim levels is fairly slim though, with just one standard trim (the long-winded AMG Line Premium Plus), and two proper Mercedes-AMG models differentiated mainly by their engines.

• The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe AMG Line Premium Plus starts the range with 20-inch alloy wheels, Airmatic air suspension with adaptive damping, keyless go, LED headlights, a panoramic glass sunroof, ambient lighting, heated and cooled front seats, artificial leather trim on the dash and Nappa leather for the seat faces.
• The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe gets 22-inch alloy wheels and AMG sports settings for the air suspension. There’s also AMG body styling, a switchable performance exhaust, AMG interior details, and AMG settings in the infotainment display.
• The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe wears cross-spoke 22-inch wheels, a performance exhaust system, red brake calipers, a raised speed limiter, sports seats with integrated head restraints, a Dinamica artificial suede roof lining, carbon fibre trim, and heated rear seats.

Used Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe dimensions and boot size

The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe’s dimensions are:

• Length: 5026mm
• Width: 2014mm (without mirrors), 2157mm (with mirrors
• Height: 1716mm

The Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe’s boot size is:

• 655 litres (GLE 350 de, 510 litres)
• 1790 litres with the rear seats folded (to roof, GLE 350 de, 1645 litres)

Used Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe road tax

All Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupes sail over the government’s VED surcharge for vehicles over £40,000, which means regular petrol and diesel models will cost you £570 per year, and you’ll save a crisp tenner with the ‘alternative fuel’ GLE 350 de thanks to its plug-in powertrain. This surcharge expires from the seventh year of registration onwards, which at the current rate would drop the tax down to £180 per year (£170 for the 350 de).

How much is it to insure a Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe?

It won’t be cheap, in short. All GLE Coupe models fall into either group 49 or 50 (out of 50!) for insurance, a symptom of their high prices, expensive technology and high-performance engines. While all fit into the same two groups, bear in mind that an AMG 63 S will likely cost proportionally more than the models below it too.

Read our full Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe review