Page 8 - Motoring Autumn 2022

TEST REVIEW MERCEDES

Mercedes-Benz GLE53 AMG

he Mercedes-Benz GLE, the second The 336kW and 520Nm are massive numbers in their own right, even if modest compared to the
largest in the current Mercedes SUV 450kW and 850Nm of its big brother.
Trange, has become quite familiar to us The 9-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission is as smooth as ever in normal driving
at MotorMatters, having sampled the current yet capable of lightning shifts accompanied by pops and bangs when changed to angry mode.
generation in 300d, 400d and 63s iterations The 53, in my opinion, is simply the more usable version for the everyday driver. Massive
over the past two years or so. power is still available at the twist of the AMG dial on the steering wheel whenever desired. While
I’ll admit up front that I’ve never been you don’t get the V8 rumble, the exhaust settings can still be cranked up to be very loud when
disappointed. From the sedate to the manic, desired.
they offer space, executive specification However, can a two ton large luxury SUV really spend its entire life in ‘Hooligan Mode’?
levels and the ability to cruise in safety and Somehow, the 53 feels far more at home on the daily commute and can potter along in traffic
comfort. conditions without feeling strangled. There is also a massive fuel economy advantage if that’s
The most recent tests were of the 63s important to you - 11l/100km, as opposed to around 15l, will make a big difference to your annual
versions and, much as any petrol head must fuel bill.
enjoy the manic performance potential, I With AMG addenda and body kits, it’s difficult to tell the versions apart at a glance. The final
always question whether it is not simply a factor in such a decision will always be price. In standard format, the 53 is a cool R1 million less
case of too much? than the 63s. At R1 905 280 before ticking options boxes, it’s still not cheap but seems like a
Enter the 53 version, powered by a bargain compared to the 63s. n
6-cylinder turbopetrol engine that has
been breathed on by AMG in its design. Click here to watch our full video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvoLGGipasQ

MOTORING | Autumn 2022 | 6