Mercedes-AMG's GLE43 Coupe is a study in polarizing design

[MUSIC] So mister or miss wishy washy, you want a sports car, but you also can't stand to let the midsize Crossover craze pass you by You need something that can carve the corners, but can also take the kids to school? Well have I got the vehicle for you. Take a gander at the 2017 Mercedes AMG GLE 43 coupe. That's right it's got all the power of an AMG in a mid sized cross over and it's got that sexy sloping roof line So just call it a coupe over. [MUSIC] But honestly I just can't really get behind the styling of this thing. I mean, are you a car, or are you a crossover, like Decide, pick one, there can be only one. And when you add to that, the giant air intakes in the front, and massive tires wrapped around 22 inch wheels, quad exhaust. Well, it's all a bit much when you look at the actual power numbers of the GLE 43. Don't get me wrong, it's an AMG, right? So, it's got a three liter bi-turbo V6, which is pumping out 362 horsepower and 84 pound/feet of twist. Those are respectable numbers, but is it enough to warrant rear tires that are a foot wide? Maybe not. And with the sloping roofline, come a few compromises. Rearward visibility is not very good, and you lose a 15 cubic feet of space behind those second row seats when compared to the square back version. And if you're tall, sit in the mid rear seats, yeah not so much. [NOISE] [MUSIC] The GLE43 has got five different driving modes and each is going to tweak your steering, throttle and steering response. Now I didn't get to test snow because. California and individual will preset their own particular wants and desires. Most people are gonna spend their time in one of the three modes. Now Comfort is really smooth. It's great for daily driving and it keeps with [UNKNOWN] In a transmission in respectable range. But, I would up into sport, that's where this nine speed auto mac transmission really shines. Because, actually wheel down ship before you get into a turn, instead of after it. So, you dive into a turn as soon as you exit the engine that transmission. Every thing is ready to give you that power so you can just [MUSIC]. Accelerate right on out of it, it's so much fun and it is so good that actually I didn't really use the paddle shift that much while I was driving the car. [SOUND]. Once you get into Sport Plus you get more aggressive acceleration, quicker shifts, and a little bit of a surprise in the form of exhaust backfires. And your neighbors are going to love you and so will your local gas station because while the GLE is rated at 20 miles per gallon combined I'm only getting 15.8. This all wheel drive GLE though is a bit of a pig. Weighs in at nearly 5,000 pounds. Now, science tells me that all that weight has got to go somewhere when I go around a turn, but these are the Germans we're talking about. They know how to beat physics. And they do that with the optional active curve system. Now it costs about $2,900, but basically it's variable stabilizer bars in the front and read that keep this thing off right. Sure you can still feel the weight, but this car in imminently possible. [MUSIC] Now, this being a Mercedes Benz, that are of course lot of luxury features. I'm kinda bundle, I don't have the optional massaging seat, cause those were the best. But I do have a [UNKNOWN] and pull the cup forwards, and you really can't go wrong with the Bang and Oelofsen stereo system. Even if it does cost $4500. Overall I really like the way the AMG GLE 43 performs. I mean this transmission in sport mode is so good but I just can't get behind this coupe over styling. Ick. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] Believe it or not, there isn't a lot of competition in the coup over segment. The BMW has the X6 and that's about it. If you want something that is a little bit more practical, you could go for the Audi SQ5, the Porsche McCann GTS or the Jaguar F Pace S. This guy, right here. It starts at $59,650. But with all the options, including the really unnecessary air ionizer, total price is $360. Yeah sure, that's a pretty steep price, but look, you wanna stand out in the crowd and still win in the twistys? The 2017 Mercedes AMG GLE43 coupe should be on your short list. [MUSIC] [BLANK_AUDIO]