2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43

Priced at $70,500, the AMG GLE 43 comes backed with a 3.0 Biturbo V6 engine paired to a 9-Speed automatic transmission. The AMG tuned engine cranks out a 385 hp of power and 384-pound-feet of torque. 

The performance version of the GLE are offered as AMG GLE 43,  AMG GLE 63 and AMG GLE 63 S.  The GLE 43 is powered by a 3.0 Liter V6 engine paired to a 9-Speed automatic. Despite the engine difference, both cars can tow a similar amount of weight. The GLC 63 is equipped with a 360-degree parking camera, sports steering, tire upgrade, collision warning and more.

Trim	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 SUV
MSRP	$70,500
Key Features
	ECO Start/Stop system
	AMG Sports Exhaust System
	Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
	Sports steering wheel
	AMG Body Styling
	8-inch high-resolution color screen
	COMAND navigation
	KEYLESS-GO

 

"The AMG GLE 43 is not a true AMG but has the fun and playful nature that most buyers want. Rough city streets are not its forte; the open road or mountain pass is where the GLE shines."-Edmunds

The 3.0 L V6 engine might not share a similar soundtrack like the GLC, but on a long road it's vibrant blare isn't inferior to any other. The 9-speed automatic transmission channels in a smooth manner. The engine cranks out 385 hp of power and 384 pound-feet of torque.

Models	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 35i	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE	2019 Porsche Cayenne
MSRP	$70,500	$60,495	$66,750	$65,700
Engine	3.0L V6 Biturbo	3.0L TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder	3.0L V6 Supercharged	3.6L V6 with Direct Fuel Injection
Transmission	9-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic	8-Speed Automatic
Horsepower	385 hp	300 hp	340 hp	340 hp
Torque	384 lb-ft	300 lb-ft	332 lb-ft	331 lb-ft

Marked with the highest price the GLE 43 also offers the highest power. The Range Rover Sport SE ties with the Porsche Cayenne at 340 horsepower. However, the BMW X5 offers the least in the segment power output.

Acceleration

The AMG GLE 43 SUV might seem like an everyday family car that will do the usual grocery runs but the GLE 43 can pin you back with its 5.6-second naught to sixty mph acceleration. Considering its curb weight of 4987 lbs., GLE 43 performs well for its size. It reaches a quarter mile in roughly 14 seconds.

Models	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 35i	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE	2019 Porsche Cayenne
0-60 MPH	5.6 sec	6.0 sec	6.8 sec	5.9 sec
Quarter mile	14.1 sec	14.6 sec	15.5 sec	14.4 sec
Engine	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	9.3	8.4	9.2	N/A

The competition is filled with decent performance SUV's but none of them matches up to the GLE 43's acceleration. The Porsche Cayenne delivered a 5.9-second 0-60 mph run. On the other hand, the Range Rover sport being the heaviest took 6.8 seconds to propel from 0 to 60 mph.

Ride and Handling

The AMG GLE 43's handling could be summed up in 2 words compliant and balanced. The first impression the driver encounters is the well-adjusted steering wheel. Then again you won't feel the dramatic downsides of body roll in a car this heavy. GLE 43 hugs the tarmac with its chunky tires. The drive modes are real bliss, the car instantly changes character as you change the drive mode.

Braking

Despite being a heavyweight, the AMG GLC 43 comes to a halt from 70 mph within 172 feet. The wider footnote adds extra grip and the brakes have a decent bite. The pedal feels confident and shares a sense of predictability too.

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 35i	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE	2019 Porsche Cayenne
Brake Front (in.)	13.8	13.7	15.0	13.7
Brake Rear (in.)	13	12.6	14.4	12.9
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4987	4791	4839	4377
70-0 MPH (ft.)	172	178	NA	N/A

The Mercedes Benz AMG GLE 43's braking lives up to the expectations of the buyer for this segment. All SUVs in this comparison perform well in the braking test.

Towing Capacity

The size and power are not for show, the AMG GLE 43 puts up a show with its 7200 pounds of towing capacity. The SUV can trailer 15 fully grown grizzly bears with that much power. The All-Wheel-Drive helps the SUV to tow exceptional payload.

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 SUV	BMW x5 xDrive 35i	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE	2019 Porsche Cayenne
Weight (lbs)	7200	5952	7716	7700
Drive Train	AWD	AWD	AWD	AWD
Engine	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L

In power play, the GLE 43 stands right next to the competition. However, the Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne offer more towing capacity than the GLE 43. The X5 has the lowest towing capacity in this comparison.

 

Well with more power comes stronger thirst, the V6 on the GLE 43 underperforms on the ground of efficiency. The car delivers a 17 mpg city and 22 mpg of highway mileage. So, be prepared for a lot of stops at the gas station.

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 35i	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE	2019 Porsche Cayenne
MPG (city)	17	18	17	N/A
MPG (highway)	22	24	23	N/A
MPG (combined)	19	20	19	N/A

The AMG GLE 43 offers 19 mpg of combined mileage when compared to the Range Rover Sport's 20 combined mpg. The BMW X5 gives a tad more on both highway and city, overall delivering a 20 mpg of combined mileage. 

 

"Compared with the sleek and streamlined look of many of the more modern interiors from Mercedes, the cabins in the older GLE43 models are saddled with an aging design. Although both are available with premium materials and an assortment of desirable features, the atmosphere lacks the look and luxury of the snazziest rivals..."-CarandDriver 

Seating and Comfort

The AMG GLE 43's interior largely resembles the typical GLE class car. The same E class luxury, followed by a flat bottom steering wheel, and touches of carbon fiber. The front seats offer a generous room with 38.9 inches of headroom and 40.3 inches of legroom space. The rear seat dimensions are better than what rival SUVs offer. The Range Rover Sport might be a little shorter in length but delivers more legroom and headroom. 

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 35i	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE	2019 Porsche Cayenne
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.9/58.5/40.3	39.3/60.5/40.3	39.5/60.7/42.2	39.6/58.9/40.2
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.5/58.4/38.4	37.2/57.9/35.6	39.1/59.5/37.0	37.3/56.2/35.7

Infotainment

The 8-inch infotainment mounts over the central console. Though it isn't a touchscreen the functions are controlled through a rotary nob and trackpad. The Mercedes Benz COMAND infotainment system is responsive and easy to use. Other than that, the car is packed with essential phone integration like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other features include

• 14-Speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system
• Satellite Radio
• Navigation
• Voice command
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• 2 USB ports
• Remote start

Cargo volume

 The 23.0 cubic feet of cargo volume isn't that compelling for a utility vehicle. The GLE's 23 cubic feet of cargo space is the lowest in the lot, however, the car matches Cayenne's 60 cubic feet cargo volume with the 2^nd-row seats down.

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 35i	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE	2019 Porsche Cayenne
Behind 2nd Row (ft.cube)	23.0	35.0	24.8	27.1
Behind 1s Row (ft.cube))	60.7	77.0	56.8	60.3

 

"Part of the AMG GLE's appeal is that it looks much like a normal GLE model, that is, until it lays tracks up the freeway onramp. From that vantage, you'll see at least one of the distinctions of this performance model, and among its most visible giveaways: quad chrome-tipped exhaust outlets."-KelleyBlueBook

Frankly, the AMG GLE 43 SUV looks like a turtle hunchback just with a tad more style. The SUV stretches long 192.6 inches long and 67.7 inches in width, overall the 67.7 inches of height gives it an intimidating personality.

Model	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43 SUV	BMW X5 xDrive 35i	Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE	2019 Porsche Cayenne
Curb weight (lbs.)	4690	4791	4839	4377
Length(in)	192.6	193.8	192.0	193.7
Width(in)	78.9	78.3	78.1	78.1
Height(in)	67.7	67.0	71.0	66.8
Ground clearance (in)	7.2	7.8	8.4	8.2
Wheelbase (in)	114.8	115.5	115.0	114.0
Track width (in) F/R	65.1/65.9	64.7/67.2	66.6/66.6	66.2/65.9

 

The AMG GLE 43 is yet to be crash tested by the NHTSA and IIHS, but the car is equipped with many active safety features like Blind spot monitoring, Lane Departure warning, collision assist and more.

Safety Features

• Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags
• SmartKey
• Antitheft alarm with remote panic feature
• Locator lighting
• Universal LATCH system
• Integrated 3-button garage door control
• Pre-Collision Safety System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring
• Blind Spot And Lane Departure Warnings Accident Avoidance System

Mercedes AMG GLE 43 vs BMW X5

The squabbling between the X5 and AMG GLE 43 is widely associated with a type of features on offer. Where one car is up on power the other offers practicality. Saying that the X5 offers more cargo capacity and interior features, on the other hand, the GLE 43 wins in the power and performance territory.

Choosing the ideal car largely falls on three major things Performance, Price, and Practicality. The GLE 43 offers more performance but it is offered at a higher price. The GLE 43 also scores low on practicality than the X5.

Mercedes AMG GLE 43 vs Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE

Range Rover comes with many strong points it also has some downsides too. Fortunately, AMG GLE 43 excel in the exact same areas where Range Rover is lagging in. It's backed with more power, uber interior, and more cargo volume, on the other hand, the Range Rover has a better towing capacity.

As the Range Rover is offered on a lesser price, it is an all-out package for the buyer on a budget.

Mercedes AMG GLE 43 vs 2019 Porsche Cayenne

The Porsche Cayenne is the most fun to drive performance SUV in this lot. Its upmarket interior, decent trailering capacity, and practicality make it popular. In terms of practicality, you get more boot space, a spacious and lavish cabin, which arguably is better than the Merc.

The Porsche Cayenne might be a better option from an overall standpoint but if you seek more power then the Mercedes Benz AMG GLE 43 is the right option for you.

2018 Mercedes Benz AMG GLE 43 offers best in the segment performance. The SUV borderlines a sports car-like handling. Price and practicality are its biggest downsides, you will easily find more utility at a lower price.