2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Sedan Review: First Class, With A Kick

Welcome to the land of no compromises. Whatever question you can reasonably ask of a full-size four-door luxury sedan, the Mercedes-AMG S63 delivers - and then some. Using the class-leading S-Class as a foundation, the wizards at AMG then saw fit to shove a 603 horsepower twin-turbo beast into the engine bay, enough for a 3.4-second blast to 60 mph. While the magnificent 4.0-liter V8 may be the star of the S63 show, it's got some phenomenal back-up dancers as well: there's the S-Class' sublime ride, towering levels of refinement, simply gorgeous interior, and virtually every comfort and safety feature available in a modern-day sedan. Surprisingly, the clever electronics and standard all-wheel-drive system even allow the huge S63 to go around corners at far higher velocities than it should. At around the $150,000 mark, the BMW M760i xDrive offers a similarly staggering mix of luxury and performance, but it can't quite match the effortless style with which the AMG pulls off its epic engineering feats.

What's the Price of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Sedan?

Being an AMG special, the S63 is only available in a single variant at an MSRP of $149,550. This price excludes destination charges, tax, licensing, and any options.

2019 AMG S63 Sedan Exterior

Dimensions

2019 AMG S63 Sedan Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

This is a car that makes the driver feel immensely powerful. There's the reassurance that not only is there more power underfoot than the majority of other cars on the road, but that the S63's all-wheel-drive system and an array of electronics have your back when pushing on.

Worth noting is that the S63 hasn't sacrificed the S-Class' excellent ride quality. It still soaks up bumps better than most, while remaining utterly composed and planted. The steering is light enough to make you believe the S63 is smaller than its dimensions suggest, making it easy to place this ultra-luxury sedan. The different driving modes also provide a markedly different experience from behind the wheel, with Comfort offering the sort of isolating luxury you'd get in the placid S 450. Find your way into Sport + mode using the AMG Dynamic Select system, however, and the S63 morphs into something more intense, with sharper responses and an angrier bellow from the AMG performance exhaust system. 4Matic all-wheel-drive helps to keep everything in check, the S63 remaining firmly planted even at higher speeds. Stopping power is provided by the AMG high-performance composite braking system, with perforated discs at every wheel - they do a great job of bringing the big Mercedes to a controlled stop.

While a BMW M760i is the marginally more athletic-feeling offering, the S63 has just about every base covered. It's comfortable and quiet when you want it to be, yet rapid and responsive when you're in the mood.

2019 AMG S63 Sedan Interior

2019 AMG S63 Sedan Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Sedan A Good car?

There are very few things that the AMG S63 doesn't do exceedingly well. The AMG treatment has been thoughtfully applied to the S-Class, imbuing the granddaddy of luxury sedans with just enough performance and aggression to distinguish it from the S 560, but without sacrificing the range's phenomenal ability to cosset. The interior is a triumph of style and quality, while space and comfort for all passengers are exceptional. The BMW M760i is the S63's chief competitor, and offers comparable quality, performance, and technology while being typically more dynamic. The 760i also has the novelty of a big V12 lump under the hood. However, it's the S63 that feels even more special, inside and out. Between its stately exterior, tech-laden cockpit with mega dual digital displays, and sublime ride comfort, the S63's mix of talents - both on-paper and perceived - helps it to maintain its position at the top of the class.

What Mercedes-AMG S63 Sedan Model Should I Buy?

In standard form, the S63 wants for very little. But really, few buyers of this high-end luxury sedan will be able to resist delving into the options list, so what would we go for, and what would we avoid?

AMG's range of optional wheel designs is impressive, and this addition can really alter the appearance of the S63. Equipped with the four-seater rear seat package, the S63's second-row accommodations are elevated from business class to first class, with an unparalleled level of comfort (and an unparalleled price, too, with this ultimate option adding every other upgrade possible for a total in excess of $10k).

The $2,250 Driver Assistance Package packs in just about every available driver-assist technology there is, but not all of them work well, and the standard specification includes the essential items. We'd skip this package and instead spend the money on the S63's host of premium trim upgrades.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Sedan Comparisons

2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Sedan vs BMW 7 Series

This is a proper close call. Discounting the Mercedes-AMG S 65, these two are the ultimate cream of the crop in the world of four-door sedans. The price difference between the two is negligible, as is the tremendous power output. Both use four-wheel-drive to dramatic effect, providing almost supercar performance in tandem with their vast cabins. Each has massive rear seats, which can be upgraded via a selection of tasty packages. While the BMW handles slightly better, the Mercedes is marginally more adept at isolating occupants from the external world. For us, AMG just edges M in this case. While the BMW barely puts a foot wrong, it's the Mercedes' showroom appeal that seals it. While the M760i can occasionally feel like a smarter 5 Series, the S63 always feels well-removed from lesser Mercedes models. It's this quality that matters when you are forking out $150k on a sedan, and it's why we love the S63.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 Sedan vs Audi S8

While the Audi S8 will only be available at the tail-end of 2019, is it worth waiting for over the S63? Well, not if bragging rights matter, because the S8 will deliver "only" 563 hp from its twin-turbocharged engine, which has both the same capacity and the same number of cylinders as the Mercedes' lump. Still, Quattro all-wheel-drive ensures that the S8 won't be much slower. With pricing likely to eclipse the $100k-mark, the S8 will still be cheaper than the S63 while offering bags of standard equipment and a similarly large cabin. The S8's interior looks more modern, but it perhaps lacks the charm of the S63's design. Overall, the S8 is a more than a worthy competitor, and it will take a back to back test drive to make the final call on which is the superior luxury performance sedan.