I'm about 300 miles into the break-in period on our new GLE53, and for those who are in the market to purchase a new one here are my initial thoughts:
Overall I love this car. It's got all the comfort you'll want, the 5-seat model is spacious for everyone and cargo, the tech is great, and there's still physical controls for climate and volume. Excited to see how it performs and holds up over the long run.

Good:
1. Comfort: Heated/ventilated seats are awesome and the massage seats are a game changer for stuck in traffic situations or long drives
2. Safety features: The cruise control distance/lane keeping/auto-steer works pretty good on the highway, but it really shines in stop and go traffic.
3. Warmth and Comfort package: The heated armrests and door panels are totally worth it. Just get this.
4. Stock L6J leather steering wheel: Personally I think this is so much nicer and will last longer than the microfiber version, and with the heated option is just so nice.
5. MBUX/Carplay integration: They place nicely together and the system is fast and responsive. Easy to switch between "Hey Mercedes" and "Hey Siri" with the hold of a button.

OK/Not sure yet:
1. Trailer hitch: There's only a 7 pin connector, so if you have a 4-pin trailer connection you'll need an adapter. Not a huge deal but just another dongle in my life I'm annoyed by.
2. Running boards: They're not really wide enough, better for getting in the vehicle than out. More awkward than I thought they would be.
3. Soft-close doors: They're functional, but I find that the door is hefty enough that even trying to close them softly closes them all the way. You really have to "miss" closing them to even see this in action.

Bad:
1. Blackberry-style capacitive-touch steering wheel buttons: I mean, c'mon Mercedes. When you're paying this much for a car I would have given you the extra $5 required for real buttons. They are very finicky and take a lot of getting used to. They are no comparison to regular physical buttons and it was an absolutely horrible choice to use these in an otherwise amazing vehicle.

 

As a very happy owner of a 24 GLE53, I could not agree more with the last point: steering wheel controls are really AWFUL! Pre-facelift much better.

 

I'm about 2K miles into my '24 AMG GLE53 and overall couldn't be more pleased.
Unknown feature I love is "car wash mode" - that's pretty cool.
Wish I had gotten soft close doors.

 

Great write up and I agree 100% with everything....especially the complaint about the steering wheel button, particularly on the left side of the wheel if you even graze it, the display changes, which is annoying. I have every possible option and like typical MB, the build quality is nuts). Sport+ in manual mode never fails to put a smile on the old face!
On the seats, for me, I unfortunately just cannot find a comfortable position. I even got the upgraded Nappa Black leather for the looks primarily, the seat bottom (only have 1500 miles) is super stiff, and after 30 minutes, my butt gets sore anyone else having this issue? I feel silly going to the dealer to ask them to look to see if anything wrong with the seats, but its becoming a pain (no pun intended).
Otherwise, the car is stellar in all regards

 

Bummer, and then some, on your seat discomfort.
Probably not what you want to hear, but I find the seat amazing and have it dialed-in to that perfect spot.
It's the thigh bolster for me that gets it "just right."
BTW, I'm 6'0" and 220 lbs.

I truly hope you get it dialed-in just right for you - g'luck!!

 

Its likely just me...I have had back issues for a long time, and many times, even sitting causes issues in the backside I agree that the car is otherwise amazing Also, are the thigh bolsters actually adjustable??

 

Yes they are!!

 

wow...please tell me how to do so I know that the "Side" bolsters are adjustable, which I have played with to make me more snug, but I thought that the bottom cushion side bolsters were static thanks in advance

 

Slide that little guy forward:

 

ah gotcha thanks! yes, I knew about that one, I thought you were talking about the bolsters on either side of the seat cushion for the thighs as for me, I am only 5'9", so I didnt like the bolster extending out further forward (so have not used this adjustment) I';ll keep playing around enjoy the car!

 

I agree with all that has been said, just over the break-in period, hope to have more fun now!

 

Speaking of "Blackberry" they also had it in the pre-facelift but much more functional and resembles the Blackberry trackpads much more.

Thanks for sharing your impressions of the vehicle.

 

2k miles in my coupe, agree with everything everyone has said, and like you, seats initially gave my right butt soreness after a longer period. Couldn’t ever get it right for a while until I finally found the right combination. Just keep tweaking and you'll find it eventually. Oddly enough, steering height was the final tweak

 

Your buttons look a lot “curvier” than mine and my “M” button is at the top. Do you have the SUV version? Will take a pic of mine in a ‘24 GLE53 Coupe

 

excellent...glad to hear that I am not going crazy! other than that, this car is an A+ does everything right, and the tech (minus the stupid left steering button) is just bonkers

 

 

Yeah...those weren't my buttons, just a quick google screen shot I captured.
I honestly have no idea what model that is from but the configuration does resemble mine (although both my heated and ventilated buttons are enabled).

 

That's a W213.

 

You're honestly not missing much with the soft-close doors.....the doors are built so solid that the soft-close function is rarely even used

 

Yes the thigh bolsters are adjustable. Just go into the seat menu and you can adjust them so that they either hug your body more or give your seat a more relaxed feel.

 

wow..really? I have searched the menu in and out can change the "lumbar" inflation, and of course the "side bolsters" that hug the body, but see nothing about the seat cushion bolsters what sub menu is that in? thanks!

 

My experience is a little different. My last 4 vehicles have been a 2017 Range Rover Sport V-8, a 2019 BMW X5 V-8, a 2021 Audi SQ7, and a 2024 GLE AMG53. My least favorite is the X5. Favorite was the SQ7. Just got my GLE in November. Nice car, comfortable, all the bells and whistles, but is in the garage with 48volt electrical issues. I just got back from Florida where I rented an X5. My wife said Thank God we didn't buy another one of these! If we had, I'd be asking you to trade now!! Even with the electrical issues, the GLE suites our family much better.

 

Thanks for the insight! I went in to order my GLE53 but when I asked them to confirm the AMG Ride Control feature was include they had to check with the factory. Sadly I heard back today that the feature isn't available until the April builds. Did your car come with that feature? I'm so confused now since I thought this was supposed to be a standard feature on the AMG vehicles. Guess I will have to wait until then to order my car.

 

Will the active ride control be standard after April.. or will it be a upgrade? If so how much?

 

I think the option to order ARC will be available starting in April. It's standard on the 63 models and a $2,800 option for the 53 models.
I hope they will finally roll out the Digital Key function around that time.