Mercedes-Benz GLE

We'd understand if you happen to be struggling to imagine what a luxury SUV that's also trying to be a sports coupe might be like to drive.

We wondered too the very first time we saw such a thing, testing BMW's first generation X6 back in 2008.

And then wondered some more once we looked at the clumpy underpinnings that models like this are expected to ride around on.

The first generation C292-series GLE Coupe launched in 2015 was particularly bad in this respect, trolling around on the ancient architecture of a MK3 Mercedes M-Class dating back to 2011.

Powerful engines ensured the car's prodigious speed in a straight line, but in this eclectic category of unsporting sports coupes, it was easily the least dynamic of the lot when it came to acquainting torque with tarmac. It would be an exaggeration to suggest that the replacement C167-era GLE Coupe we still have today is anything more than an evolutionary improvement in that mediocre showing; Porsche's Cayenne Coupe is still way out in front in this class if you want a large SUV Coupe you could really enjoy driving.

But thanks to the fact that this C167 design got a 62mm shorter wheelbase than its standard SUV counterpart.

And that this design was based around a more modern 'MHA' 'Modular High Architecture' chassis that was a considerable 33% stiffer than the previous platform, it's been clear since the original MK2 model launch back in 2019 that this second generation GLE Coupe is no longer the dynamic duffer it previously was.

And is able to broadly match the unremarkable class handing standard set by its two main rivals, BMW's X6 and the Audi Q8. Which means you might be surprised by just how agile something this big and heavy can be through the bends.

Yes it's still very clear that you're cruising about in a car with underpinnings more appropriate to tugging horseboxes about than potentially tackling the Nurburgring.

But once you adjust to that - and this US-built GLE Coupe's prodigious weight and width - in some ways driving this Mercedes hard can be quite a blast.

It's all very well to say that a fast E-Class Estate would make more sense, but this thing sits you much higher and bears down far more assertively on dawdling traffic ahead.

It also accelerates uber-quickly and actually grips surprisingly well through the turns. You're going to want to know about engines.

There are no four cylinder GLE Coupe models any more (not for the UK anyway) - and you can't now have a diesel Plug-in Hybrid either.

But core sales will still be of models that drink from the black pump, both in-line six cylinder 3.0-litre diesel units with 48V mild hybrid tech featuring an integrated starter generator.

The base 350 d has 278hp, while the 450 d manages 367hp.

Mercedes says both units have been made quieter and more efficient - and of course 4MATIC AWD and 9G-TRONIC 9-speed auto transmission continue to feature. As an alternative to a GLE Coupe diesel, there's now just a single petrol-powered Plug-in Hybrid, the six cylinder GLE 450 e.

The main drive engine as part of this package is now the brand's updated M256 Evo' 3.0-litre turbo petrol straight six unit, which has gained a new cylinder head, larger intakes and new exhaust ports.

A little surprisingly though, the PHEV system's 31.2kWh battery is basically the same, so the EV range figure isn't much different, rated at up to 65 miles.

Total 450 e engine output is 443hp, which combines with a rear-mounted 178hp electric motor (47hp more powerful than the one in the previous model) for a total potent 569hp output, with 0-62mph achievable in just 4.5s.

That's a big jump in output from the previous four cylinder GLE Coupe 400 e PHEV. If you want to go faster in a GLE Coupe, then as before, you'll need to stretch to the high performance Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe 53, which has AMG-tuned adaptive suspension.

As before, this can be had in a choice of two six cylinder petrol forms.

Either in MHEV mild hybrid, with 449hp (plus a further 23hp from the EV motor); or in PHEV 'HYBRID' form, with 449hp available (plus 184hp from the EV motor).

With the 'HYBRID', that means a total output of 585hp with 750Nm of torque.

Mild hybrid petrol tech is also used for the top 4.0-litre V8 Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupe 63 S 4MATIC+ flagship model. As with the previous version of this car, Mercedes offers a clever optional 48V E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL system which combines with the optional AIRMATIC air suspension.

With this, the spring and damping forces can be individually controlled at each wheel.

This means that the system not only counteracts body roll, but also pitching and squat.

Improvements made as part of this update see this set-up (via an online connection) able to store the location of big bumps and potholes - either ones you've encountered or surfaces encountered by other Mercedes models equipped with the system.

The result it that if you then come across the bit of road in question, the E-ACTIVE system will prepare the suspension for that bump: clever.

Whereas the first generation C292-era GLE Coupe was merely a rebodied version of the GLE SUV, this C167 version was conceived from the outset as a more stand-alone model, its wheelbase shortened by 62mm over the SUV to make both the looks and handling that bit more agile.

Or at least as agile as they could be in a model that in second generation form grew substantially over its predecessor. This car might be 110mm shorter than the standard GLE SUV, but it's still well over 4.9m long and stands a very un-coupe-like 1.7m high, dwarfing almost everything on the road.

In profile, it's an interesting confection, the muscular wings and high beltline of a classic sporting GT somehow blended with the large wheel arches and generous ground clearance of an SUV. As for the changes made to this further updated model, well the fundamental look hasn't changed but the front and rear lighting elements are now very different.

The nose features larger LED headlights with twin three-star illuminating motifs and enhanced Digital Light functionality.

Plus the grille has been enlarged, sits within a black frame and (to suit the current trend) is now illuminated.

The big changes though, lie inside.

There's not quite as much screen tech as you'll find in the latest GLC Electric, but displays still stretch right across the stitched fascia, which now features three combined 'Supercreen' displays mounted inside a single panel on the dash top.

These comprise of a 14.4-inch central infotainment monitor flanked by a 12.3-inch instrument display (now running the brand's latest MB.OS software) and a further passenger-side screen that's also 12.3-inches in size.

New illuminated air vents sit at either end of the dash and the redesigned steering wheel (borrowed from the GLC Electric) swaps the earlier version's fiddly haptic switches for roller buttons.

The 3D 'Comfort' seats have been redesigned and there's a selection of higher quality finishes used, particularly if you pay extra for options available via the brand's 'Manufaktur' personalisation programme. In the second row, you'll find a lot more leg room than you might expect.

Plus this remains one of the wider rear benches in the class, with a spacious feel emphasised by the expansive panoramic glass roof overhead, though this limits the already slightly restricted headroom even more.

A six-footer will find their forehead very close to the roof lining indeed and anyone taller will need to recline themselves a bit. Out back, the base luggage capacity figure is actually 25-litres better than that of the SUV - 655-litres (with a 145-litre reduction for the Plug-in Hybrid version).

Obviously the seats-folded capacity in the GLE Coupe isn't quite as good as that of the SUV version though, rated at 1,790-litres in a standard GLE Coupe (or 1,645-litres in the PHEV version).

On all GLE models with AIRMATIC air suspension, the vehicle's rear can be lowered by around 40 millimetres using a switch, for easier loading and unloading.

Prices haven't changed very much as part of this update.

As before, GLE Coupe pricing will be comparable to that of the third generation BMW X6 (for this Mercedes, think £83,000-£95,000 for mainstream models).

There's a premium of around £2,500 to go from the base GLE Coupe 350 d diesel to the Plug-in Hybrid 450 e petrol version.

And, as usual in the UK, the trim line-up is primarily based around various kinds of 'AMG Line' spec.

Obviously, you'll need much deeper pockets for the high performance Mercedes-AMG variants - think around £105,000 upwards. At least you get more standard kit as part of this update.

The MBUX central screen's Virtual Assistant now functions as a 'living avatar'.

And all models now come with a larger standard panoramic glass roof.

Plus the advanced 'DIGITAL LIGHT' headlamps now use micro-LED pixelated technology; the 'MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST 360' surround view camera system's been improved; and 'MB.DRIVE PARKING ASSIST' detects parking spaces on either side of the vehicle at an earlier stage and can now assist with leaving a parking space.

In addition, there's a 'Digital Extra' 'reversing function' that enables the car to automatically reverse along part of the route it has just driven to get into the space in question. The safety systems as part of this update have been substantially upgraded thanks to the addition of a new, water-cooled supercomputer processor, which has extensive power reserves for future driving assistance functions.

Each GLE Coupe model is equipped with a variety of sensors: ten exterior cameras and up to five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors.

These sensors work together with a powerful control unit running the brand's MB.OS system.

Artificial intelligence processes the sensor data to assess the traffic situation in the surrounding area.

The company's 'MB.DRIVE Standard' set-up is standard equipment with functions such as DISTRONIC distance control.

Let's get to the figures.

For the 350 d and 450 d diesels, you're looking at up to 31.8mpg on the combined cycle and up to 195g/km of CO2.

For the petrol 450 e Plug-in Hybrid, the figures are up to 73.5mpg and up to 72g/km of CO2.

With the 450 e, AC charging is supported by an 11kW onboard charger as standard.

In addition, a 60kW DC fast charger for direct current is optionally available.

This allows the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in around 20 minutes. All the petrol and diesel engines have an integrated starter generator and the mild hybrid system includes a 48-volt electrical set-up, which enables functions such as coasting, boost, and recuperation, resulting in useful fuel savings. What else? Well, we'll tell you that the three year warranty is built upon by Mercedes' Mobilo scheme which delivers breakdown cover for up to thirty years, as long as you continue to have your car serviced at a Mercedes main dealer.

And it's worth knowing that your maintenance outlay can be kept a little in check by going for the optional Service Care package that takes care of routine maintenance, spreading the cost of regular servicing, guaranteeing the price of parts and labour for up to four services and covering the cost of all recommended service items such as brake fluid, spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters and screen wash. There's also an ASSYST dashboard service indicator that monitors engine use and tells you exactly when a garage visit is due.

It's also worth mentioning that the 'Mercedes me' remote online services package that comes as part of the infotainment system includes remote self-diagnostic capability, enabling your GLE to monitor wear and tear items and alert your local dealer to let you know if something needs seeing to.

This is the kind of car that evokes howls of self-righteous indignation from the motoring press.

They'll criticise its weight, its looks and its politically incorrect attitude.

Before, of course, going on to fawn over some enormous luxury limousine or thirsty, dirty supercar.

It's all very hypocritical.

If you don't like this car, then fair enough.

But don't moralise about it. True, if you're a business buyer, your CEO might still raise an amused eyebrow, but if you're the kind of very individual customer who'll want one of these, then you probably won't mind that.

For you'll be someone who shares the confidence that's apparent in every aspect of this model's make-up.

In years to come, when considering this market segment, we might well forget who got there first and who tagged along.

Who knows, we might even forget about SUV-coupes.

In the here and now though, here's one of the very finest.