2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon Test Drive Review: Ultimate Performer
Diehard car enthusiasts are a tricky group to explain. Most people assume they only love sports cars with 600 horsepower, but true gearheads actually enjoy the idea of a super-powerful station wagon even more. Why? Because it's hilarious! Luckily, the engineers in Affalterbach have a sense of humor and cater to the niche market with the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon.
Though only a handful of these cars are sold in the United States each year, the discerning owners know they are getting a rather special experience that is very different from the average crossover or SUV. Fast wagons like the E63 bundle all the benefits of a sports sedan with the practicality of an SUV, without sacrificing handling. But Mercedes no longer has the segment all to itself, and the Audi RS6 Avant wants to ruffle feathers. To counter, Mercedes-AMG has refined the E63 Wagon further with updated styling and tech improvements, but the core elements remain the same: the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood is untouched with 603 horsepower, and AWD is still the default means of propulsion. CarBuzz spent a week in the refreshed E63 S to see if it's still the ultimate performance wagon.
2021 AMG E63 Wagon Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 197.1 in | 115.7 in | 58.0 in | 75.1 in | 64.9 in | 62.8 in | 4,669.0 lbs |
2021 AMG E63 Wagon Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
We last drove a Mercedes-AMG E63 S Sedan back in the 2019 model year and came away impressed by the experience but wishing the ride was a bit softer. AMG's engineers clearly had customers who felt the same way because the 2021 E63 has retuned suspension meant to improve ride comfort. So, has it worked? Well, sort of. The facelifted E63 feels slightly softer than before, but it's still on the harsh side, and Audi offers a much more compliant suspension for those who prefer a cushy ride. On the plus side, the E63 still thrills in the handling department, providing supercar handling in a practical wagon body.
Mercedes has made huge strides with its steering, with a rack that provides more feedback than its Audi or BMW rivals in all drive modes. Like all AMG cars, drivers can configure the E63 in a multitude of ways, with various settings for the steering, suspension, drivetrain, transmission, and exhaust. The car ranges from firm but relaxed with everything set to comfort mode to an outright deviant when the settings are all in race mode. With 4MATIC+ AWD grip, the E63 hugs corners like a racecar, hitting insane speeds that shouldn't be possible in a wagon. The performance is highly approachable, meaning anyone can feel like a driving god.
2021 AMG E63 Wagon Interior
2021 AMG E63 Wagon Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Overall Rating | Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Side Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon A Good car?
The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is an automotive oddity that doesn't need to exist. But the sheer lunacy of its existence is what makes this car so great. No station wagon should be able to keep up with a supercar while carrying an entire family plus their dog, but the E63 can. This is truly a do-anything type of car with very few flaws, aside from the price. We prefer it to any fast SUV on the market (AMG models included) thanks to its car-like handling dynamics and sleeker styling.
AMG only faces competition from a single model, the Audi RS6 Avant. The Audi has more built-up hype since it's new to the US market, plus it's more comfortable and stands out more in a crowd. Despite being newer and more visually appealing, the E63 still offers many benefits over the RS6. It feels more engaging to drive, has a throatier engine with more power, offers a drift mode, and provides better cargo volume. The RS6 makes for a more compliant daily driver, but the E63 puts a bigger grin on your face. We don't know if the performance wagon market is large enough for both of these cars, but we are happy that the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon still exists because it's a rare delight.
2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon Comparisons
2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon vs Audi RS6 Avant
We've spoken about this rival a fair deal in this review already, but with so few fast wagons on the market these days, we didn't have much choice. Nevertheless, this is still one of the best cars on the planet and would have warranted discussion in any case. With standard features like quad-zone climate control, rear-axle steering, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system as standard, it already looks like an attractive buy, but what of its performance? Well, Audi says that the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and 48-volt mild-hybrid system in this car produce less than Merc's power plant with "just" 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, but it earns some points back again with a higher top speed (up to 190 mph versus 180). Still, the Merc is more practical with 5 cubic feet more volume behind the rear seats and almost as much with them folded. This is almost too close to call, but we'd have the Merc. It's more spacious, more powerful, and can drift. What more could you want?
2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon vs Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo
If you really aren't worried about money, you could shop at another German purveyor of fast luxury, Porsche. The Stuttgart-based automaker's Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo starts at over $180,000, making it seriously expensive even at this level. Still, that means you can do 0-60 mph in as little as 2.9 seconds and can keep going all the way to 196 mph, outpacing both the Merc and the Audi. As standard, you get a 14-speaker Bose sound system, but because this is Porsche we're talking about, everything can be either customized or otherwise upgraded, and a 21-speaker system from Burmester is available. Performance enhancements like ceramic composite brakes are standard though, and with bragging rights made possible by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 620 horses and 604 lb-ft of twist, it's hard to ignore this option. However, with less than 20 cubes of space behind the rear seats and no more than 49 with them down, the other German wagons here are certainly more practical. If that's what you need, go for the Audi or the Merc, but if you value driving enjoyment, the Porsche remains the best choice.