Hi guys, I’m new to the forum.. I am going to be a new Mercedes’ owner though so I thought I would ask this.. I’m really torn on which Gle to get.

im trading my Porshe turbo for a GLE .. so obviously I like to have power and sportiest feeling vehicle unde me.

I test drove a new 22 GLE 450, it was great , had ok power, but quiet.. I like to hear my exhaust..but I could always add an aftermarke. The 450 is loaded .. and is a great ride.. I’m wondering how sporty it feels long term.. does it have enough power.. is it 5.2seconds to 60mkh?

2nd option is a 2021 GLE Amg 53, I haven’t drove this yet as the dealer is 2 hrs away.. but I plan on putting a deposit on it to hold it till I can. It’s not as loaded as the 450, and will cost about $4k more. Who has one and how is it long term?

well that’s my dilemma.. if anyone can help me lit would be much appreciated..

thanks
keveim

 

I have a 2020 450 and I do regret not getting the 53. On paper, the 53 doesn't seem that much faster than the 450 so at the time I didn't bother taking the 53 for a test drive. I have since driven them both back to back and yes, the 53 is better in every way. The seats are much nicer, the exhaust has a mean yet modest tone and the acceleration feels much faster than whats reported on the spec sheets. My current debate is do I go for a 2022 GLE53 or wait for the new refreshed version in 2023. I hear they are changing the interior to the big iPad style screen from the S class. I'm not sure how I feel about that !

 

Thanks, yea coming from the cayenne turbo, I think the 450 just won’t be enough.. it definitely rides nice , this one had the air suspension..

 

My last car was a C63S so I knew power was going to be quite different. I test drove both a 2021 450 and 2021 53. I found the 450 was definitely missing something. Seemed quiet, lacked power in the low end, just didn't feel many smiles when test driving it. The 53 I ended up with has the air lift which makes the vehicle such a better ride, the 450 did not. I can't believe how well the 53 corners for such a big vehicle. I love how it snaps and pops when you give it a extra push or come to a stop light. I definitely made the right decision on getting the 53. For me the 450 price was so close to the 53 it was an easy decision.

 

Your original post said you were moving from a Porsche Turbo to an SUV. That would be a BIG change. But if you are moving from a Cayenne Turbo, it's less of a step.

I have owned a '16 Cayenne, a '20 GLE450 and now a '21 AMG53. And I sampled Audi Q7-8 and a few Cayenne's while shopping for the 53.
My requirements seem simple but are hard to find, especially in a heavy, tall SUV. They are: Responsive controls and compliant ride. That means when I turn the wheel, I want the car to respond without thinking about it for a second, same with brakes and throttle.

My finalists were a Cayenne with Active suspension and rear steering, or the AMG53, also with active suspension (AMG Ride Control). On back to back 30 mile drives through mountain twisties, I was surprised that the AMG 53 had better turn-in and general handling prowess, but it may just be down to the 20" tires on the Cayenne vs. the 21's on the AMG. And the AMG was more composed on bad pavement, and seemed to ride better. But again, this is with the AMG active suspension, which improves the AMG53 ride quality over the standard air suspension.
Power-wise, the AMG53 is MUCH stronger than the base Cayenne, and felt more "immediate" than the S, probably because of the EQ Boost and the supercharger. The GLE450 felt stronger than the base Cayenne, with EQ boost hiding any turbo lag.

I didn't do a back-to-back comparing the AMG standard air with the Cayenne, but I did compare the AMG Active suspension back to back with my 450 E-ABC (very luxurious and quite adept) vs. the AMG53 standard air. The AMG standard air is impressive, but the AMG Active Ride Control (part of the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package, $5,200 that includes big brakes and more) makes the car.

So I'd say between the AMG53 / AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package, and the Cayenne S with PDCC and PASM, the Mercedes wins. and for about $25,000 less money.
The base Cayenne is more like the GLE450, for more money again, but the 450 will have a "tippy" feel to it, which is a bit unsettling to me.

So, for driving fun, plus comfort, the AMG53 with AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package is an unchallenged choice. Without the package, the 53 is still hard to beat, especially for the money.

The GLE450 is also a winner, with the "tippy" caution, plus it's MPG is silly high. We ALWAYS got 30+ on the highway at any speed, where the AMG 53 gets about 23. That's 150 more miles per tank, if that's an issue.

You'll have to go with the AMG 63 to match your Cayenne Turbo. The 63 has the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS and big brakes standard.
In all cases, the new V167 AMG models finally have suspensions that don't send you to the dentist, and handle well on all surfaces. I'm not a fan of previous AMG suspensions.

 

It is not receiving the new screen from the S, it's retaining the current MBUX setup for the refresh and will simply receive smaller upgrades such as the new steering wheel from the E and S. Restyling the entire interior is simply too costly for a mid-cycle facelift, that will wait until the next generation of GLE.

 

The GLE 53 will be the only way to go in my opinion based on your previous car. As an owner of both a CLS53 and GLE450, I can tell you that coming from the Cayenne Turbo you will want the 53. The 450 is more of a luxury cruiser and the 53's receive some substantial upgrades in terms of handling, suspension, powertrain, etc. Test any 450 vs 53 car whether it be an E, CLS, or GLE and you will notice the difference with the 53 being much sportier. The GLE 53 should be plenty fine albeit may not be as quick as the 63 is the direct competitor to the Turbo. You will love the punch from the Inline-6 and electric supercharger adds an extra bit of character to the car building power very nicely, plus the auto stop start is the best in the business. I advise making that deposit quick, 53's (even 450's) are incredibly scarce and are fetching high markups and demand, the car could be gone in any minute, especially if it is a GLE coupe.

 

I have a 2021 GLE 450 and was disappointed with the bouncy ride feel at the beginning. Recently, I did the coding options by RJ Automative to add the Sport+ and my GLE now growls when I start it (almost sound louder than my E550 when I had it). You can hear the exhaust louder in Sport+ mode and the suspension feels tighter as well.

 

Agree on 63. Also very good 53 vs. 450 comparison.

Did you have W166 ML63/GLE63 before?

 

I'd get the 53

 

My dealer had a 21 GLE53 when I was there a few days ago for service. Asking $20K over list.

 

I absolutely have loved my 2020 gle 450. I traded in my bmw M3 so definitely a huge shift in the type of vehicle. Given that shift, I would definitely not describe the gle as sporty but it’s comparing apples and oranges.

It has more than enough power- not sure I’ve ever even had the chance to really see her full acceleration capabilities- have never had to.

Love the partial hybrid of this truck though. I honestly get about 25 mpg average with a mix of city and freeway driving. The fuel economy is even better than the 350.

The interior and dual screens are gorgeous- you can’t find a nicer cabin in this price range. Love my GLE!

 

I’ve owned both and the 53 performs better than the 0-60 times comparison advertised. Car & Driver did instrumented tests and both had better times than Mercedes publishes. IMO, the electric boost on the 53 enhances the low end torque from the very good torque on the 450. The E Boost also offers fast recovery after coasting when the Turbo R’s have spooled down. The larger Turbo and E Boost allows the 53 to pull harder and longer at higher speeds. The 450 suspension is too soft in C mode…about right in S, but resets to C each engine cycle. The 53 is perfect for my taste (day to day) in C mode.
The 450 gets much better fuel economy than the 53 but both have great range between fill up.
Coming from a Porsche you might like the 53 better but either are a cut above and not worlds apart. Most of the time we are not pushing either to the limit so it may get down to what’s important to you. Both of my GLE’s were optioned the same so you need to decide what you might be missing with the 53. There are several options that I wouldn’t miss but we all have differences in taste and use.

 

I just returned from road trip including desolate highways of Northern Nevada where passing vehicles on wide-open stretch of road gave me several chances to 'floor it'. I pulled over at 99-102 with power to spare. Nice to know you've got that kind of kick if/when you need it.

 

Can't speak for long term with my 53 but I love how she sounds and handles. Definitely would recommend 53 over the 450!

 

It looks like the OP @kevsim bought his 53, at least according to his signature. Back in November, I think.
He's clearly not a Forum person, but it looks like our discussions helped. Wonder if he got the Dynamic Plus Package.....