The GLE 450 Coupe reads as a smart executive play for Phoenix: quiet, composed and more athletic than its fastback shape lets on. The 3.0-liter inline-six with a 48-volt assist is the story here — smooth off the line, unobtrusive in traffic, and eager when the 101 opens up. Ride quality stays calm over expansion joints and construction seams, and the cabin lands on the right side of modern: crisp graphics, straightforward controls and the kind of sound insulation that makes calls feel private. The sloping roofline adds presence without sacrificing everyday usefulness; it’s a genuinely accommodating five-passenger layout with flexible load space for golf bags or carry-on cases. For desert nights, the ambient lighting and panoramic glass set a relaxed tone that still feels all business by morning.
All-wheel drive manages traction seamlessly in summer storms, and the 9-speed keeps the engine in its sweet spot without hunting. This isn’t a boulevard showpiece; it’s a well-sorted, high-content daily that moves purposefully between meetings, Sky Harbor runs and weekender exits — confident, quiet and impressively efficient for its size.
MSRP: $77,250 (base)
Mileage: 19 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy.
Transmission: 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic (4MATIC AWD)
0–60 mph: 5.3 seconds
Powertrain: 3.0L turbocharged inline-six with mild-hybrid assist (375 hp, 369 lb-ft)
Quiet Advantage: The integrated starter-generator can briefly add up to 20 hp, smooth start/stop events, and enable short coasting — useful for polished in-city driving without calling attention to itself.
Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz USA
