I've had a 53 since Jan of 22 and passed on my 63s that recently arrived since it was missing some key options like the high end burmester. Having spent an hour driving the 63s, launching it, and testing all the different modes I'm making a comparison for anyone who wants to know which one is the right one for them.

Gle 63S:
Pros:
Massive power difference (this feels like an amg, the 53 doesnt)
Immensely more comfortable and enjoyable to drive in (race mode is more comfortable than the 53s comfort mode) **53 with base suspension
Emotion start + any cracks pops, reving sounds much better
You have the top tier trim for bragging rights

Cons:
Lacks any real distinction or prestige from GLE's and even the 53 unless people know what to look for
You can get everything a 63s has minus the engine in a 53 for 30k less.
Suffers from the same clunky transmission issues GLE's have. Struggles to **** down to the right gear often 2 gears higher than needed. When you put your foot down there's a delay before you start going when already driving.

Gle53:
Pros:
Looks exactly the same as the 63s with dynamics plus package (even without most people can't tell a difference)
Massively less expensive
Better on gas
Can get every single option the 63s has here except the engine
Still fast enough for majority of people
Get the pops and crackles and all the "AMG" experience with the performance exhaust option
Handles amazing even with base suspension at high speeds (145mph+)

Cons:
Base suspension is very bad for comfort
Slow slow slow, just starts pulling then the torque ends
Comes with barely anything, you need to add a TON of options
Performance grows stale when you realize this needs at least 700NM of torque to be enjoyable as a high performance SUV
Silver brakes suck and look bad too
Every option is more expensive than on a 63S
Fully loaded your at the starting price of a 63S



My Must Have Options for both:
High end burmester
Acoustic Comfort
Driver Assistance Package
AMG Performance Exhaust
Massage Seats
Heated & Ventilated
4 zone climate control
Surround view (ridiculous this isn't standard on GLEs)
Augmented Reality
AMG HUD

Conclusion:
The cars are extremely similar, aside from the massive performance when you push your foot down and much better comfort and racing feeling due to the upgraded suspension on the 63s, the cars are indistinguishable. This makes it down to one factor in my book. Do you care about driving fast and having a high performance suv? If you do then get the 63s, the 53 will disappoint you since the difference between the two is night and day. Otherwise you can get the 53 and load it up and still save yourself 30k since it's practically the exact same car minus the engine.

My recommendation is to wait for 2024 since even the 53 is getting a torque bump and both cars are getting more options as standard and you can't get the high end burmester option currently on any AMGs which is a deal breaker for me due to how bland the base sound system is and the cost of retrofitting the 3D stateside.

 

I have a 2022 GLE 63 I ordered last year. It has every option except running boards and front ceramic brakes which I didn't want. You can tell the difference in the front of a 63 where the inlets are and the badge on the back. I think AMG made them almost similar visually to sell more. Doesn't bother me. Those who know will know. Great write up.

 

Excellent write up. Very good comparison and I can add that the 63S is truly grin inducing from the moment you fire it up to kicking down that pedal.

 

Great write up. As a 2023 53 Coupe Owner, there's only 1 thing I really disagree with. I have every option accept for the massage seats ($1,000) and headliner ($1,600) and I was still $20,000 less than a 63s Coupe. The engine and worse gas mileage wasn't worth it. I do however miss the torque higher in the rev range, BUT I do like feeling like I'm actually extracting power vs power overload.

Overall, I think if the pricing was closer, it would have been a tougher decision for me.

 

"Immensely more comfortable and enjoyable to drive in (race mode is more comfortable than the 53s comfort mode)"

So maybe I'm in the very small minority here, but when RJ did the coding on my 22 GLE53, I had him add the race mode and master/pro suspension tweaks. What I noticed was that the shifting in race mode around town is silky smooth, like way nicer than the comfort mode shifting. The suspension in race mode is seriously firmed up, but the shifting is amazing. Your comments about the 63S I quoted above made me think of this. If my small town streets were better paved I'd use R more often, lol!

When I ordered in late 21, the 63 wasn't available due to the V8 stoppage issues. I was lucky enough to get the 3D sound and I'm so glad every day I did. That, and the big brakes. It takes 6 pistons up front to really stop this suv.

 

Can't you just use individual mode and have everything set to comfort except for the transmission then?

 

I had a GLC 43 and wanted a 63 so badly, even though 43->63 isn’t as bad a difference on GLC vs GLE. I wound up getting a GLE 63 S because GLC 63 were 100k+ with markup. No thanks, I’d rather buy that car and put it in a garage than drive it to work every day. So that put me in range of a GLE. I’d have to so say if you’re looking for the real deal, it’s the 63. The engine is everything. I’ve never driven a 53, but I can’t imagine the 6 pulls that along the way an 8 does. I think the 6 is for people who want the car looks and don’t care about feel. I got a 21 63 with 1k miles on it and have never been happier. Fully loaded with 8 and it’s easily the most fun car I’ve ever had. So much power I’m still scared of learning how to fishtail it. They should just have made the car only with this engine and called it a day.

 

Race mode is mutually exclusive from the other modes, thus I can't set up I* mode as Race, and just change the suspension to comfort. It's how mb designed it. Not sure if I'm making sense,but I've gone through the menus and it's not seemingly possible maintain R mode with a comfort bias on the suspension. R changes everything to a unique program. Sorry if I'm not being clear. The AMG manual might be a more precise explanation.

 

I wouldn't be able to get an inline 6 when TT V8 is out there. I have an '18, but man that car puts a smile on my face when I drive it unlike any other daily driver I've ever had. Of course, downpipes, engine and trans tune help, but I loved it stock (and it's ~60hp down on the 2022 in stock form).