The 3.0 L V6 engine might not share the similar beastly sound like the GLC, but on a long road it's vibrant blare isn't inferior to any other. The 7-speed automatic transmission channel a smoother ride while engine muscles up a 385 hp of power and 384-pound-feet of torque.
Models
|
Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43
|
BMW X5 xDrive 35i
|
Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
|
Porsche Cayenne
|
MSRP
|
$71,350
|
$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 w/Direct Fuel Injection
|
Transmission
|
7-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 features the highest power. The Range Rover Sport SE ties with the Porsche Cayenne on 340 horsepower. However, the BMW X5 is the lager with the lowest price and power output.
Acceleration
The AMG GLE 43 SUV might seem like a car you would drop your children to school or get groceries from the supermarket in, but the power says otherwise. This SUV can pin you back with its monstrous 5.6-second acceleration, which is a phenomenal number for a car of carrying that much weight. It reaches a quarter of a mile in roughly 14 seconds, which gives soccer moms some new ambitions.
Models
|
Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43
|
BMW X5 xDrive 35i
|
Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
|
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 is the nearest delivered a 5.9-second performance. On the other hand, the Range Rover sport being the heaviest took 6.8 seconds to propel from 0 to 60 second.
Ride and Handling
The AMG GLE 43's handling could be summed up in two words "Impeccable Stability" though that comes during the middle of the drive. Behind the wheel, the first impression you encounter is the well-adjusted steering wheel. You won't feel the dramatic downsides of body roll, a phobia of any SUV under the same category. Also, there is a good amount of road communication you can, literally feel the road and what the car is doing below all the time.
The drive modes are a real bliss, the car instantly changes character going from Sport to Sport plus. But one thing remains the same, you can really sense the car's weight at high speeds, at last, it's an SUV.
Braking
Despite the humongous weight, the AMG GLE 43 comes on a grinding halt from 70 mph in 172 feet. The wider footnote adds the 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
|
BMW X5 xDrive 35i
|
Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
|
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 braking fits right into the buyer's demands. All performance crossovers in this lot perform well in the braking territory. However, in a dead competition, the BMW took some extra distance to stop.
Maximum Towing capacity
The fine 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 torque it's way through the tarmac and exceeds the normal norms of practicality.
Model
|
Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 43
|
BMW x5 xDrive 35i
|
Land Rover Range Rover Sport SE
|
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 63 stands right next to the competition. However, the Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne offer more power than the GLE 43. The X6 was the lager with 5952 pounds of towing capacity.