To many car enthusiasts, the BMW X6 is a ridiculous car. Despite its sporty looks, it’s by no means a sports car. It’s far too fat and heavy for that. Yet, despite being called an SUV (excuse me “SAV”), it’s body style is too compromised in the name of fashion to be properly SUV-practical. So it’s a ‘tweener that doesn’t seem to make any logical sense. Yet despite our old-man enthusiast ranting, customers eat it up. So much so that it can’t stop inspiring rivals, like the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe.
Awhile back, Mercedes-Benz launched its new GLE-Class line, which replaces the old, aging M-Class (which was eventually named GLE prior to this new model launching. I know, it’s confusing). The new GLE-Class SUV is actually an impressive car, with great looks, a lovely interior and tons of tech. It’s not too interesting to actually drive but it’s a luxurious enough SUV to make it worth buying. This new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe, though, is designed to be the sportiest version of the car until the proper AMG 63 version comes out.
Much like the BMW X6, the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe is the sportier looking version of a traditional luxury SUV. In the case of the AMG GLE 53, it’s most like the new X6 M50i, in that it’s a performance version but not the full-blown performance monster.
Under the hoof of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe is a 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engine that makes a whopping 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. In addition to that, it gets Mercedes-Benz’s EQ Boost technology, which uses an electric motor to add power temporarily. For short periods of time, such as a 0-60 mph run, the EQ Boost motor adds 21 hp and 184 lb-ft. That’s a lot of total power output for a powertrain with only six cylinders. According to Mercedes, 0-60 mph happens in 5.2 seconds.
Those figures are quite a bit behind the BMW X6 M50i’s, as the latter has 523 hp and 553 lb-ft from a 4.4 liter twin-turbo V8 and can hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Still, the Mercedes makes do with a more efficient six-cylinder engine, which could be more attractive to a lot of customers.
In terms of styling, neither car is particularly pretty. In fact, some could say that they aren’t good looking at all and there’d be merit to that claim. However, if one is better looking, I might have to go with the Mercedes. It’s just a bit cleaner and a bit tighter than the X6, though neither car will be winning any beauty pageants anytime soon.
The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 has a nice interior as well. Mercedes has always been great at making beautiful cabins and this is no different. I’m not much of a carbon fiber trim kinda guy, something this car has a lot of, but it’s sort of the nature of the beast these days. Still, it’s a bit more visually interesting than the X6’s.
We obviously don’t know how either is to drive, as neither has been available to drive in the US just yet. Having said that, both cars’ traditional SUV siblings could be indicators as to how well they drive. If that’s the case, then the BMW X6 will likely have an edge over its Mercedes-AMG rival, as the X5 is nicer to drive than the new GLE. Only time will tell. Though one thing is for certain: BMW created a monster with the original X6, one that just keeps spawning rivals.
