The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53's cabin is almost as confronting as its exterior. Up front you're met with an assault of chrome, a ventilation overload and a totally dominant expanse of screens. This all hints at the advanced tech which lies beneath, but the real wood and leather trims also elevate the cabin to something you might expect at the tall asking price.

The Mercedes-AMG GLE 53's specification list includes the headline dual 12.3-inch screens adorning its massive dashboard, complete with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, built-in navigation and voice activation, real leather interior trim with fully electrically adjustable heated and cooled front seats, 21-inch alloys, 'multibeam' LED headlights, AMG styling items, a wireless charging bay, head-up display, and, of course, a panoramic opening sunroof.

Mercedes-AMG says much of this five-seat SUV's extra 39mm of body length (compared to its predecessor) has gone into the rear passenger space, and this seems true when it comes to legroom. You definitely notice the decline of the C-Pillar, though, making an otherwise large space feel slightly claustrophobic, particularly with the 53's dark headlining and heavily tinted rear windows.

Despite a close to 2.5-tonne kerb weight, Mercedes-AMG says the twin-turbo petrol in-line six-cylinder engine's 320kW and 520Nm is enough to catapult the GLE 53 from 0-100km/h in just 5.7sec.