As you might expect, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe safety levels are incredibly high. This is a firm which prides itself on building cars that keep other motorists, occupants and pedestrians in decent working order. While it hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP at this point, the GLE SUV – which this car is based on – gained a five-star rating when originally tested as the M-Class. We’ve got no reason to suspect this car is any worse.

There are countless safety systems on board and more available as optional extras.

Standard Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe safety equipment

Highlights from the standard kit list include a number of airbags (driver, front passenger, driver’s knee, side bags and window bags), an electronic parking brake including hill-hold function, an active bonnet (for pedestrian safety), a fatigue detection and warning system, automatic braking, crosswind assist (detects and steers when strong gusts are detected), downhill speed regulation (DSR), manually adjustable head restraints, two ISOFIX points in the rear, traffic sign recognition and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Optional Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe safety features

While many options are available separately, if you’re concerned about safety then the one to look at first is the Driving Assistance Package. This includes an active blind spot assist programme which will warn of cars in your blind spot but also steer the car away from them if you begin to move towards them. There’s an active lane-keeping assist function too, which will steer you back into a lane if you drift out. Brake Assist Plus (BAS+) can apply more braking power if it detects it’s necessary, while DISTRONIC PLUS is a system which latches onto the car in front of you and maintains a safe distance, right up to a driver-selected speed. You also get Pre-safe Plus, which can detect an impending rear-end collision and prepare the car by tensioning seatbelts, activating hazard lights and closing windows.

The first thing to note is that in our opinion, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe practicality is hamstrung by the incredibly high boot lip. It sits way taller than most dogs will be able to manage, and while deep enough to accommodate 650 litres of luggage – 70 litres more than the X6 – we wouldn’t want to think about lifting heavier objects that far off the ground. You can fold the rear seats down to unlock a huge 1,720 litres of load space.

Inside, however, this is a relatively practical vehicle. You’ve got a number of cubbies in doors and between the front seats, and the glove box is of a decent size too. There are cup-holders too, but one of this car’s party tricks is that the front ones can be heated or cooled, depending on specification, to keep your drink at the right temperature.

Towing with the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe

With such powerful engines, it’ll come as no surprise to learn this makes a great tow car. The braked towing weight is 2,900kg in its least capable specification, rising to a Range Rover-matching 3,500kg for the GLE450 AMG model. There’s an optional electronically retractable tow bar available too, and the suspension will self-level to compensate for the load hitched to the back.