2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe Review: The Long-Distance Bullet Train
When it comes to luxury sports coupes, very little comes close to offering the drama and performance of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe. Its handcrafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 churns out a mighty 603 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, which is available virtually everywhere in the rev range and makes this grand tourer coupe feel more like a bullet train than an actual car. This all-wheel-drive monster gets a nine-speed MCT automatic gearbox as well as adaptive dampers and a high-performance brake system. Its stunning interior is one of the best we've experienced in recent memory but comes with almost too much technology, and less technically inclined drivers could get overwhelmed by it all. Competitors such as the BMW M8 Coupe might offer similar performance figures but can't match this German coupe for sheer drama and opulence.
What's the Price of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe?
This is where things go pear-shaped: the 2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe packs a price tag that will knock the socks off even the most well-to-do customers. Mercedes-AMG demands a cool $171,400, which doesn't include registration, tax, and a destination fee of $995. To put that price into context, the gorgeous AMG GT Coupe starts at only $115,900, $55,500 less than the S63 Coupe. That's hard to justify, no matter how much you love the S63, and tacking on options pushes the price up exponentially.
2020 AMG S63 Coupe Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 198.9 in | 115.9 in | 56.0 in | 75.3 in | 64.7 in | 64.7 in | 4,586.0 lbs |
2020 AMG S63 Coupe Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
With a curb weight upwards of 4,500 pounds, it should be clear to anyone with a little motoring know-how that the S63 Coupe was never intended to hit the perfect apex around a tight and technical track; rather, the S63 thrives as a comfortable GT cruiser. The best word to describe the driving experience of the S63 Coupe is dignified. It feels sure-footed, and despite its sheer size, is easily pointed into a corner with accuracy. The S63 Coupe will glide over rough roads with ease, but don't ask it to tuck into a tight corner like a Ford Fiesta ST. Its 4Matic AWD system claws at the road, which means that corner exits can feel like being launched out of a catapult. It's a capable handling car, but it prefers traveling at lightspeed on long stretches of open road.
2020 AMG S63 Coupe Interior
2020 AMG S63 Coupe 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 |
Verdict: Is The 2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe A Good car?
The S63 Coupe is a low-flying GT that looks as good as it goes, and should be considered as one of the best grand tourers on the market at the moment, but, like any car, it does come with its drawbacks. Firstly, that 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 loves to chug down fuel faster than you can say "this car is not fuel-efficient" and talking about spending lots of money, the S63's starting price of $171,400 is stratospherically high. Smaller issues we had with this car is the sheer amount of technology on offer, which could flummox even the most clued-up drivers. Now onto the good stuff. The S63 Coupe is a gorgeous thing to look at from any angle, and it has one of the best interiors you'll find anywhere, period. Once on the road, it will happily travel at warp speeds in ultra comfort; its a seriously sorted GT car and that engine is simply a masterpiece. Although the options can get pricey, there are so many of them; we like the customizability. All in all, this car is a beautifully crafted bullet train that deserves a bigger part of the spotlight.
What Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe Model Should I Buy?
Since there's only the one model to choose from, you'll have to decide whether or not you're happy with the base product, which already bristles with technology from the inside out, or one with a few more optional extras added to the long list of standard features. The standard car already offers a crazy number of features such as adaptive suspension, Nappa-leather seats with ventilation and a massage function, as well as dual 12.3-inch displays with a powerful Burmester 13-speaker surround sound system. If we were doing the buying, we'd add the $6,500 AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package, and 20-inch AMG forged cross-spoke wheels for an extra $1,700. With the exterior sorted, we move on to the interior. Inside, we'd include the AMG carbon-fiber and DINAMICA performance steering wheel, as well as the $2,250 driver assistance package, which adds features such as active steering assist and active brake assist with rear cross-traffic functionality. All-in, it keeps the cost down at just $179,950.
2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe Comparisons
2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe vs BMW 8 Series Coupe
The 2020 BMW M850i xDrive is another German masterpiece of a coupe that offers great comfort and mind-blowing performance and is one of the better GT cars on the market in the new decade. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine lurking under the hood produces 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, so significantly less than the S63, but out in the real world, there's not much between them. Fuel economy for the BMW comes in at 18/25/20 mpg city/highway/combined. We love the M850i's beautifully crafted interior, although it's less opulent and more driver-focused, as well as its impressive list of standard features, including its class-leading infotainment system (even though it lacks Android Auto). On the road, the BMW is an extremely capable cruiser and has a larger trunk for increased practicality. The M850i xDrive is a very capable car, but lacks the drama of the S63, and thus loses out in this comparison.
2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe vs Porsche Panamera Turbo
It is a well-known fact that the Porsche Panamera Turbo is one seriously fast and comfortable car, but can it stack up to the glamorous S63? Firstly, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 under the hood of the Panamera might be less powerful at only 550 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque, but it will still accelerate to sixty in only 3.8 seconds. Fuel economy comes in at 18/25/21 mpg city/highway/combined. Put simply, there's little else that handles as good as the Panamera, and while it can carve corners like a pro, it is still gloriously comfortable. The Panamera's hatchback-style liftgate also aids in practicality, as do the rear doors, and the interior is spacious as well. While it might lack the svelte design of the Mercedes, it's a superior performance car and arguably the more comfortable option.