Notices
GLE Class (V167) Produced 2020 to present

Curious: Why is MSRP of GLE Coupe ~$3,000 more than GLE SUV?

Old Aug 5, 2024 | 06:48 PM
  #1  
jonpom's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 127
Likes: 41
From: GA (winters), PA (summers)
08 GLK350, 10 E350, 12 R350, 14 CLA250, 18 E400 Coupe, 20 GLE580, 21 GLC43, 21 GLC300, 24 GLE53 SUV
Curious: Why is MSRP of GLE Coupe ~$3,000 more than GLE SUV?

Different components or style/design/demand/volume/vanity?
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2024 | 07:42 PM
  #2  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,432
Likes: 5,343
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Let me start out by saying that the GLE Coupe isn't a coupe. A coupe by definition has 2 doors, so this whole 4-door coupe thing is basically a sedan/SUV with a sloped roof. But having said that, "coupes" tend to fetch a higher price, because customers are willing to pay for a more interesting, less boring/boxy shape. Design is a big part of why somebody buys a "coupe" over a sedan/SUV. Coupes are generally viewed as more sporty and at least in the traditional 2-door coupe space, they do get more sporty features such as wider track, lower center of gravity and a more sporty tuning. They aren't just a sedan with two fewer doors. That costs more to design and produce, especially given that coupes tend to be lower volume than sedans, so the extra cost gets spread over a smaller sales volume.

Having said that, part of the price difference is also the difference in standard equipment. Coupes tend to be higher spec'd. For example the GLE Coupe like other MB coupes comes standard with the Panorama roof. For the SUV it's a $1000 option, so that's 1/3rd of the price difference right there. I haven't looked at other details, but there are probably a couple of other things that are standard on the Coupe and extra on the SUV.

SUV/sedans are generally priced lower with less standard equipment for the base model to extend downmarket for the average buyer, but can be spec'd up with optional equipment to match a coupe spec. Coupes, at least as far as the proper 2-door coupes are concerned are targeting more discerning buyers, who are willing to pay more for rarity, design, sportiness and such.

Last edited by superswiss; Aug 5, 2024 at 07:45 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2024 | 06:55 AM
  #3  
WCCPHD's Avatar
Newbie
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Porsche Cayenne
Looking at the build page, it looks like the Coupe has the pano roof and AMG exterior package as standard. That's over $4K extra on the SUV.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2024 | 08:10 AM
  #4  
parato's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 72
2024 GLE 450e
Originally Posted by superswiss
Let me start out by saying that the GLE Coupe isn't a coupe. A coupe by definition has 2 doors, so this whole 4-door coupe thing is basically a sedan/SUV with a sloped roof. But having said that, "coupes" tend to fetch a higher price, because customers are willing to pay for a more interesting, less boring/boxy shape. Design is a big part of why somebody buys a "coupe" over a sedan/SUV. Coupes are generally viewed as more sporty and at least in the traditional 2-door coupe space, they do get more sporty features such as wider track, lower center of gravity and a more sporty tuning. They aren't just a sedan with two fewer doors. That costs more to design and produce, especially given that coupes tend to be lower volume than sedans, so the extra cost gets spread over a smaller sales volume.

Having said that, part of the price difference is also the difference in standard equipment. Coupes tend to be higher spec'd. For example the GLE Coupe like other MB coupes comes standard with the Panorama roof. For the SUV it's a $1000 option, so that's 1/3rd of the price difference right there. I haven't looked at other details, but there are probably a couple of other things that are standard on the Coupe and extra on the SUV.

SUV/sedans are generally priced lower with less standard equipment for the base model to extend downmarket for the average buyer, but can be spec'd up with optional equipment to match a coupe spec. Coupes, at least as far as the proper 2-door coupes are concerned are targeting more discerning buyers, who are willing to pay more for rarity, design, sportiness and such.
The difference in equipment is the only reason that "maked sense" for the price difference.

A sloped roof SUV has less utility, less driver visibility, less rear seat comfort and in my city is the opposite of rare. If the desire is sporty drive instead of utility to carry equipment for sports then get a small nimble well powered vehicle that can eat up winding canyon roads or demolish race tracks.

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, attraction to the bloated pumpkin seed style doesnt make a buyer any more discerning than one attracted to a beautifully designed and crafted for its purpose vehicle.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2024 | 08:39 AM
  #5  
W205C43PFL's Avatar
MBWorld God!
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,403
Likes: 6,336
Originally Posted by parato
The difference in equipment is the only reason that "maked sense" for the price difference.

A sloped roof SUV has less utility, less driver visibility, less rear seat comfort and in my city is the opposite of rare. If the desire is sporty drive instead of utility to carry equipment for sports then get a small nimble well powered vehicle that can eat up winding canyon roads or demolish race tracks.

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, attraction to the bloated pumpkin seed style doesnt make a buyer any more discerning than one attracted to a beautifully designed and crafted for its purpose vehicle.
Guess those who buy these want to have a coupe yet needs an SUV, so they get something that pretends to be one, it is selling pretty well in Canada, like it or not.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2024 | 09:36 AM
  #6  
wildta's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 3,130
Likes: 1,205
GLE 580
The only SUV coupe that doesn't hurt my eyes is the Porsche Cayenne GT Turbo. Not sure why. Maybe it's the spoiler giving it a little more of a standard SUV appearance.

I also don't mind the Urus but it isn't advertised as a coupe even though the profile is very similar to other SUV coupes. I also didn't realize how similar the profile of the Cayenne is to the Urus; I guess they share more DNA than just the platform.

If I recall, was it the BMW X6 that created this new profile?




Last edited by wildta; Aug 6, 2024 at 09:40 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2024 | 10:19 AM
  #7  
W205C43PFL's Avatar
MBWorld God!
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,403
Likes: 6,336
Oops wrong thread sorry about that

Last edited by W205C43PFL; Aug 6, 2024 at 10:21 AM. Reason: Wrong thread
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2024 | 10:20 AM
  #8  
W205C43PFL's Avatar
MBWorld God!
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,403
Likes: 6,336
Originally Posted by wildta
The only SUV coupe that doesn't hurt my eyes is the Porsche Cayenne GT Turbo. Not sure why. Maybe it's the spoiler giving it a little more of a standard SUV appearance.

I also don't mind the Urus but it isn't advertised as a coupe even though the profile is very similar to other SUV coupes. I also didn't realize how similar the profile of the Cayenne is to the Urus; I guess they share more DNA than just the platform.

If I recall, was it the BMW X6 that created this new profile?


I thought so too, I thought BMW started this "coupe" style SUV too in the form of X6 then MB decided to follow.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 6, 2024 | 01:49 PM
  #9  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,432
Likes: 5,343
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Originally Posted by parato
The difference in equipment is the only reason that "maked sense" for the price difference.

A sloped roof SUV has less utility, less driver visibility, less rear seat comfort and in my city is the opposite of rare. If the desire is sporty drive instead of utility to carry equipment for sports then get a small nimble well powered vehicle that can eat up winding canyon roads or demolish race tracks.

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, attraction to the bloated pumpkin seed style doesnt make a buyer any more discerning than one attracted to a beautifully designed and crafted for its purpose vehicle.
Agreed, which is why I started out saying these things aren't really coupes. Most of what I said applies to real 2+2, 2 door coupes. I don't really know who these 4-door coupe SUV/Sedans are for. The point of a traditional coupe is that it's all about the front passengers. A coupe has a shorter wheelbase to be nimbler and all this goes towards sacrificing the rear seats. The rear seats in a real coupe are at best for small children or cargo overflow. But these 4-door coupe SUV/sedans pretend that they are still practical for rear passengers complete with their own set of doors, but then they cut the headroom and cargo space to the point where they whole SUV/sedan utility is out the door. I find these pretty pointless vehicles, so I'm totally with you.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2024 | 03:35 PM
  #10  
mikapen's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,011
Likes: 2,198
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Originally Posted by wildta
The only SUV coupe that doesn't hurt my eyes is the Porsche Cayenne GT Turbo. Not sure why. Maybe it's the spoiler giving it a little more of a standard SUV appearance.

I also don't mind the Urus but it isn't advertised as a coupe even though the profile is very similar to other SUV coupes. I also didn't realize how similar the profile of the Cayenne is to the Urus; I guess they share more DNA than just the platform.

If I recall, was it the BMW X6 that created this new profile?


I think they're all abominations. But they sell well.

In my opinion, the GLE SUV is the best looking of all of them - coupe or plain SUV.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2024 | 05:58 AM
  #11  
jkaetz's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 232
2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
My understanding is that regulations have pushed the large sedan market to extinction. Thus everyone switched to building "crossovers".
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2024 | 10:00 AM
  #12  
W205C43PFL's Avatar
MBWorld God!
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,403
Likes: 6,336
Originally Posted by jkaetz
My understanding is that regulations have pushed the large sedan market to extinction. Thus everyone switched to building "crossovers".
Thankfully we do indeed still have the S-Class Sedan as an option.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2024 | 04:53 PM
  #13  
SW20S's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,116
Likes: 4,605
From: Maryland
2024 S580
Originally Posted by jkaetz
My understanding is that regulations have pushed the large sedan market to extinction. Thus everyone switched to building "crossovers".
Regulations haven't caused that, buyer preferences and demand has.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2024 | 05:15 PM
  #14  
superswiss's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,432
Likes: 5,343
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
Actually it is rooted in regulations. Just have to go back and look at the history. It started when the EPA enacted tighter fuel efficiency and emissions regulations for passenger cars, but left light trucks largely unaffected, because back then light trucks were mainly commercial vehicles. Instead of investing in more fuel efficient engines for passenger cars, the American car makers recognized the loophole and started to market the idea of a light truck for everyone. One of these unintended side effects when policies aren't fully thought through. They specifically targeted macho men who didn't give a flying fart about others on the road with their initial marketing campaigns and as predicted, these people start to buy them and the rest is history as they say. Today many people opt for SUVs and Crossovers because they no longer feel safe in smaller or more specifically cars lower to the ground because of all those hunks of metal on the roads. Can't see out from behind them, either in a normal car. SUVs and Pickup trucks do major damage in a collision with a regular passenger car, because they generally hit above the bumper rendering much of the crumple zone ineffective. This is well documented. Ironically, SUVs and Crossovers are less safe than passenger cars due to their high center of gravity. In an evasive maneuver you wanna be low to the ground, but people feel safer the more metal they have around them.

Last edited by superswiss; Aug 7, 2024 at 05:19 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2024 | 04:02 PM
  #15  
jkaetz's Avatar
Super Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 232
2021 GLS580 | 2011 ML350 BlueTec | 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
Thankfully we do indeed still have the S-Class Sedan as an option.
Yes but my wallet cries at those price tags.
Reply
Old Aug 9, 2024 | 08:37 AM
  #16  
W205C43PFL's Avatar
MBWorld God!
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,403
Likes: 6,336
Originally Posted by jkaetz
Yes but my wallet cries at those price tags.
but you get an S-Class
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2024 | 07:03 PM
  #17  
HAILERS2's Avatar
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 522
Likes: 69
From: North Texas
Presently 19 S560 SEDAN, 2014 XK, SOLD GLE 450e
Yes. Two doors with NO B pillar. Like S560 Coupes were and their brothers prior to the name changes, CL550’s. Best looking cars made by Mercedes the last couple decades. The CLS’s were NOT Coupes at all. Jaguar Xk’s were true Coupes I.e. no darn B pillar and had but two doors.

Last edited by HAILERS2; Aug 10, 2024 at 07:05 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2024 | 07:09 PM
  #18  
jonpom's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 127
Likes: 41
From: GA (winters), PA (summers)
08 GLK350, 10 E350, 12 R350, 14 CLA250, 18 E400 Coupe, 20 GLE580, 21 GLC43, 21 GLC300, 24 GLE53 SUV
Originally Posted by WCCPHD
Looking at the build page, it looks like the Coupe has the pano roof and AMG exterior package as standard. That's over $4K extra on the SUV.
I recently compared the window “stickers” for a 2024 AMG GLE53 SUV with a 2024 AMG GLE53 Coupe and found that every listed feature matched line-for-line, except the SRP which was $3,050 more for the comparable Coupe. They both had pano roof and AMG exterior package as standard.

Last edited by jonpom; Aug 11, 2024 at 07:11 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2024 | 01:50 PM
  #19  
Benzman33's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 554
Likes: 44
From: New York
2024 GLE 350
The X6 was wayyyy ahead of it's time. The OG one was so special when it came out.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:09 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE