~ A DriveWays Review ~
by Frank A. Aukofer

It might strike some customers as incongruous, even bizarre, to learn that the 2024 Mercedes-Benz-AMG GLE 63 S SUV can wear perfume to permeate the interior and delight its occupants.

It’s part of the company’s Air Balance package, which now is among a spate of newly standard features on the powerful performance midsize crossover sport utility vehicle.

The system makes use of an ionizer and charcoal filters to clean the air that circulates inside. The other half of the system is an optional atomizer with a back-lit vial in the glove box that delivers any of four selectable aromas. The system can be turned off or adjusted to operate at different intervals.

It is totally in keeping with its Mercedes-AMG orientation as an ultra high-performance luxury vehicle. For starters, it’s the top-of-the line GLE model with a hand-crafted 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8 engine that makes 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, or twisting force. It is boosted by a mild hybrid 48-volt electric system.

The system consists of an integrated starter-generator, which combines a starter and alternator mounted between the engine and transmission. Among other things, it enables a stop-start function, in which the engine shuts down at stoplights and restarts when the driver lifts a foot off the brake pedal or gently nudges the accelerator.

It is one of the best stop-start systems extant, nearly undetectable, and contributes to fuel economy—welcome in this SUV, which has an EPA combined city/highway rating of 18 miles to the gallon on premium gasoline. Stop-start is popular in Europe, where gasoline prices are way higher than in the U.S.

AMG once was an independent company in Affalterbach, Germany, that developed its reputation by speed tuning Mercedes vehicles, much as hot-rodding companies do all over the globe. Mercedes eventually bought the company and established AMG as its own performance division.

Even with its nearly three-ton curb weight, the GLE 63’s staggering power, delivered through a nine-speed automatic transmission, can propel it to 60 miles an hour from rest in 3.7 seconds, according to the manufacturer. Independent tests have even shaved a few tenths off that time. Top speed is rated at 174 miles an hour.

At a time when manufacturers are phasing out entry-level models and sedans are giving way to sport utility vehicles, machines like the Mercedes GLE 63 S are finding favor among buyers, mainly those with deep pockets who can write checks for the sticker price or easily cough up more than $700 a month in payments.

The GLE 63 S tested for this review came with a starting price of $128,850, including the destination charge. With options that included upgraded cabin insulation, high-performance ceramic compound brakes, the Mercedes Distronic adaptive cruise control, lane-change and evasive steering assist, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear-end collision protection, 22-inch alloy wheels, four-zone climate control, and heated rear seats, the suggested delivered price came to $143,570.

When you first step up into the driver’s seat, the luxury interior fills your field of vision. On the test car, it included dual-tone perforated leather upholstery with suede inserts, an overhead glass panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, a wide dash screen that includes instrument readouts and infotainment functions, and many redundant buttons on the dash and steering wheel. One negative: the sun visors do not slide on their support rods so cannot be adjusted to properly block sunlight from the sides.

The front seats, with prominent bolsters on the seats and seatbacks, are supportive and comfortable for long periods in any driving situation. Outboard rear seating positions are similarly accommodating, and even the center-rear position, which is hopeless on many vehicles, is reasonably comfortable despite a higher hard cushion and a prominent floor hump.

Overall, the GLE 63 S, at 107 cubic feet, offers passenger space similar to that of a large or midsize sedan. The cargo area behind the rear seat has 33 cubic feet of space, with five cubic feet in a hideaway area under the cargo floor. The tradeoff is there is no spare wheel or tire.

With its awesome power, the tester was never embarrassed in urban or rural traffic. Its all-wheel drive with variable torque distribution, solid steering feedback, adaptive shock absorbers and dynamic engine mounts deliver exceptional handling for this tall SUV. Though there was no opportunity to examine its chops off-road, it appears to have plenty of capability.

Specifications

  • Model: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S SUV four-door crossover sport utility vehicle.
  • Engine: AMG 4.0-liter V8 Biturbo with 48-volt hybrid assist; 603 hp, 627 lb-ft torque.
  • Transmission: Nine-speed automatic with manual shift mode and all-wheel drive.
  • Overall length: 16 feet 3 inches.
  • EPA/SAE passenger/cargo volume: 107/33 cubic feet.
  • Weight: 5,548 pounds
  • Towing capability: 7,700 pounds.
  • EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 19/22/18 mpg. Premium gasoline required.
  • Base price, including destination charge: $128,850.
  • Price as tested: $143,570.

Disclaimer: The manufacturer provided the vehicle used to conduct this test drive and review. Photos ©Mercedes-AMG