2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe

The S63 coupe is a standalone model, as the S65 is reviewed separately. In base form, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8-engined super-coupe costs $169,450 before Merc's obligatory $995 destination and handling fee. "Fully loaded" is a term that many would use to describe this "base" model, but with a long options list, the price can still climb much higher. We managed to configure our virtual S63 with all the toys and lots of carbon fiber, plus carbon-ceramic brakes and the most OTT white leather available to bring it to a final price, before taxes and fees, of $219,970.

Thanks to the adaptive suspension that lowers at speed, the S63 is fairly well-planted, with the 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive allowing the car to find implausible grip in medium-paced corners. However, if you push just a little harder, the S63 reminds you of its massive weight by understeering. The steering is decent in terms of feel, but the brakes are another reminder of this car's bulk, as they stop the car a little more slowly than we'd like for something capable of sub-4-second 0-60 mph sprints. However, the luxo-barge makes up for this by being exceptionally comfortable, soaking up imperfections and undulations with ease in Sport mode. It's no club racer, but it will still excite and cosset in equal measure. However, avoid Sport+ if you like the current placement of your teeth and stay away from the wallowing Comfort mode if you'd like to keep your lunch.

If you want ultimate luxury, a Rolls-Royce Wraith is arguably more opulent, although the S63 is competitive against even this. But, as a vehicle that can cross continents effortlessly, embarrass many supercars, and swathe occupants in impeccable luxury, the S63 is simply phenomenal. The interior is flawless, the standard features are plentiful, the ride is magnificent, and the looks, well, they're subjective - but this may well be one of the best-looking S-Class coupes of the last 30 years. With a multitude of lavish options and exciting gadgets available, the S63 is quite simply majestic and you'll be hard-pressed to find something, even at a higher price range, that will come with such an impressive array of ways to make your drive feel special. With a glorious engine, a roomy interior, and lots of tech to make your drive as pleasurable, as exciting, and as carefree as possible, the S63 is more than worthy of the title that we at CarBuzz have bestowed upon it: Best Sports Coupe. Period.

With only one trim level available, and an excellent base to start from at that, the choice comes down to how many extra features you want, and, of course, how deep your pockets are. We'd have ours in no-cost Lunar Blue complemented with Black Poplar Wood interior trim. The standard black Nappa leather is also gorgeous enough, and unless the rear seats are regularly occupied, we'd avoid adding heating to those or the steering wheel. Instead, we'd have the AMG Nappa/faux-suede Performance steering wheel for 500 bucks and put the extra cash towards a set of multi-spoke wheels at $1,700. Magic Sky Control is all but a must at $2,500, but forgo the upgraded sound system - the standard Burmester setup is great as is. Rather, tick the box for the Driver Assistance package ($2,250) to add adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and some semi-autonomous driving features. Upgraded brakes would not go amiss either, as well as the night-vision camera. All in, this spec comes in at $178,660. Compare that to the cost of a hyper-luxurious coupe from the British Empire, and this Merc is great value.

Despite a much larger 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 engine, the Rolls-Royce Wraith is not as performance-focused as the Merc S63. Although the S63 will get outrun in the corners by many smaller cars, it still has a bit of racing pedigree that shows in the way it delivers its phenomenal power. The Wraith, on the other hand, is certainly sportier than some of its other Rolls stablemates, but power delivery is far less "in your face" and it accelerates from 0-60mph almost a second slower than the all-wheel-drive Merc. The Wraith also borders on 5,000 lbs in bulk, which is an obvious compromise in terms of dynamic ability. Naturally, the Wraith is even more luxurious than the S63, offering deep-pile carpets and a suspension setup that completely irons out the road ahead. However, almost no one is going to get into the S63 and find it spartan compared to the Wraith. Even bordering on obscenity with the options on the Merc, it wouldn't crack $220,000 - the Rolls starts at $327,000. As a symbol, the Rolls is better for showing off and being the ultimate in luxury bragging rights, but the Merc does everything else better. We want one.

With literally hundreds of millions of color and interior combinations, the Continental GT is the default choice if you want, uh, choice. Like its British counterpart the Rolls, the Bentley uses a 12-cylinder engine, albeit in W12 configuration. It is also rear-wheel-drive; and since its complete overhaul, the Continental has become a competent driver's car, one worthy of Bentley's early racing heritage and pedigree. For this reason, it can be more fun to drive and more adept at taking turns than the Merc. However, the engine's tone is rather muted and subdued compared to the roar of the AMG unit. This makes the S63's acceleration exploits more exciting and intoxicating. Although price is a secondary concern at this end of the market, the Bentley is expensive, starting at $200,00 in base form, whereas our perfect Merc S63 comes in at less than $180k. We'd rather have the Mercedes with its more aggressive and less-surprised face and put the extra money into some new Louis Vuitton suitcases for the next trip to Paris.