We review the Mercedes GLE 350 from price to economy and all its features

SUN man and dad of two Colin Robertson took the new Mercedes GLE family wagon on a half-term break. Here’s how he got on.

“GOD, it’s big!” I haven’t heard the missus say that to me before.

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The meaty Mercedes GLE 350 Coupé has just been delivered and she’s not wrong. I can already feel the neighbours’ blood pressure rising as this huge SUV’s 5m X 2m bulk takes up nearly two spaces on the road.

The GLE Coupé is Mercedes’ latest attempt to take an even bigger slice of the SUV market – and, more specifically perhaps, BMW’s share of the pie.

From 300 paces it looks every inch the BMW X6 with sporty Coupé curves that kick back against the The March Of The Qashqai Clones.

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I took the basic model – the GLE 350d 4MATIC “AMG Line”– up to Scotland, a trip that included  most roads you’ll ever take a British car on.

The AMG here simply refers to the styling – basically a few floor mats and other tinsel you probably won’t notice.

Under the hood is a 3-litre V6 with a respectable 258bhp.  With 4x4 and air suspension, it handles well, especially in the driving rain, when you need a bit more confidence on the bends.

The smooth drive is helped by the NINE-speed – count ’em – tiptronic that helps you glide effortlessly through to the three-figure section of the dial at remarkably low revs.

It won’t try and pull your arms out of the sockets if you drop the hammer – even in sport mode, which I felt never made that much difference.

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In fact, acceleration from standstill can feel a touch sluggish – despite a 0-62mph in seven seconds – especially if you’re trying to shift a two-tonne car with your missus, two kids and a small toy shop’s worth of goods in the boot.

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And talking of the boot, it’s worth pointing out that if you want coupe styling you will sacrifice space. While the GLE Coupé’s trunk is bigger than the X6, with 650 litres compared to the BMW’s 580 litres, it is less than the standard GLE SUV, which has 690 litres.

As you would expect with a car at this end of the market it is packed with buttons and tech. The “speedtronic” cruise control plus lane assist will pretty much drive the car for you. Fortunately, an alarm goes off after a few minutes to remind you you’re not ten years in the future sitting in a Google car.

The park assist, which takes over the steering for you, is another useful tool but I found it tricky to get to grips with and a touch inconsistent.

It prides itself on finding just the right size spot when you roll by at slow speed yet at times it spectacularly missed a gap you could park an Aussie road train in. The 360-degree camera (an optional extra) is a godsend and one of a number of safety features that also include autonomous braking, downhill speed regulation and crosswind assist, as well as airbags all over the cabin.

But the key thing is it looks good – bloody good. I clocked stunned stares wherever I drove – highway to byway.

And after finally nailing the parking assist, I knew they weren’t just pointing at my dodgy parallel park.