GLE 450 4MATIC AMG Line Night Edition. Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
The first impression of the Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4MATIC AMG was its size and heft. It felt larger and longer than most full-size sport utility vehicles. The exterior of the “Night Edition,” which applies a black concept, conveyed both refinement and dynamism at once.
The design message of the GLE 450 4MATIC AMG is “the essence of modern luxury spanning on-road and off-road.” The vehicle offers generous space, measuring 4,930 mm long, 2,020 mm wide and 1,780 mm high. The powerful, muscular shoulder line — flowing from the GLE’s distinctive wide C-pillar to the taillights — adds a sporty feel. With a wheelbase of 2,955 mm, the second-row space is roomy, and the standard trunk capacity reaches 630 liters. The company says it is large enough to hold four full-size golf bags without difficulty.
Driving the GLE 450 4MATIC AMG around the Gangnam area of Seoul and Paju in Gyeonggi Province, it proved both agile and stable. The stable ride comes from the air suspension. The air suspension includes an Adaptive Damping System (ADS) that intelligently adjusts the suspension according to road conditions, vehicle speed and load. When driving over uneven surfaces, it controls each wheel individually to ensure a comfortable ride.
Switching to Sport mode on an expressway, there was a strong sense that the car’s height dropped. At high speed, the body felt as though it hugged the road. This is because self-leveling lowers the body height to enable stable handling and dynamic driving.
The driving performance was excellent, living up to the AMG name. When the accelerator was pressed gently, the engine’s power did not pour out all at once but rather began building speed smoothly. It responded softly and nimbly in a way that belied its massive body.
The GLE 450 4MATIC AMG, which weighs about 2.4 tons, delivers smooth yet powerful driving thanks to its inline six-cylinder gasoline engine. With a maximum output of 381 horsepower and peak torque of 51 kg·m, it can accelerate from a standstill to 100 kilometers per hour in 5.6 seconds. It is also equipped with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, securing a combined fuel economy of 8.4 kilometers per liter despite its heavy body.
The GLE 450 4MATIC AMG line is priced at 137.6 million won ($99,000), while the limited-edition Night Edition, which adds the black concept, costs 140.6 million won ($101,000).