2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible Review: Excess At Its Finest

At the very peak of Mount Merc sits the Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible; the most expensive and completely bonkers car that the German automaker offers its well-to-do customers. What makes the S65 so special is its absolute disregard for frugality; everything from its handcrafted twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine to its dual 12.3 displays screams money, and despite Mercedes-AMG's best attempts at keeping things classy, the S65 rolls around with a big smirk on its face. Besides interior trims and paint colors, the options list is kept reasonably short due to the fact that the S65 Convertible comes packed with all the features you'd ever need. The Burmester sound system is one of the best we've ever tested, and the hot stone massage seats will transport you to your happy place faster than you can say, "I've got lots of money." There's very little that can compete with the S65 Convertible, not in terms of performance or practicality, but in terms of sheer opulence.

AMG S65 Convertible Exterior

Despite being around since 2014, the 2019 S65 Convertible has more presence on the road than some Italian exotics; its sheer size is masked by magnificent swooping lines, ending in a sumptuous rear end that's flanked by quad exhaust exits. LED lighting with daytime running lights and 20-inch AMG forged ten-spoke wheels give the S65 an air of understated class with hints of performance that's executed with great poise. Differentiating it from its siblings is a power-operated soft-top roof.

Dimensions

Even with the top down, the 2019 S65 Convertible looks and feels like a big car, and the measurements tell the same story: total length comes in at 198.9 inches, maximum width including wing mirrors comes in at 83 inches and the S65 stands 56.2 inches above the ground. The whole show rolls on a 115.9-inch wheelbase and the curb weight is claimed at 4,971 lbs, making it nearly 140 lbs heavier than the S65 Coupe.

AMG S65 Convertible Performance

Engine and Transmission

The centerpiece of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible has to be the exquisite hand-crafted 6.0-liter V12 that lies beneath the swooping hood. The big V12 makes use of two turbochargers to produce a massive 621 horsepower and a stump-pulling 738 lb-ft of torque, which is available between 2,300 and 4,300 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels via an AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic transmission - an older transmission, but the only one capable of handling the big 12's torque. Acceleration in any gear is brutal: sixty comes up in only four seconds, and the 4,947 pound S65 will get up to warp speed with effortless grace. But aside from the twelve-cylinder symphony conducted by your right foot, the performance isn't anything special over and above the S63 - but at least in the S65, you won't be confused for a peasant.

Handling and Driving Impressions

Unlike full-size convertibles of old, the S65 can actually keep its composure through a set of twisty turns and doesn't feel like a floundering ship as some older generation cars did. As with the rest of the S-Class range, steering is accurate enough, and the S65 can be placed with relative accuracy, but don't expect much in the way of road feel despite the steering weighing up in the sportier driving modes. All the electronic stability and traction tech behind the scenes help to keep the big Merc flat in the corners. Around town, the S65 is one of the most comfortable convertibles around, despite rolling on a set of 20-inch wheels as standard.

AMG S65 Convertible Gas Mileage

If you're expecting a combined mpg figure of above 20 mpg, you'll be sorely disappointed. Unfortunately, you'll have to lower your expectations quite a bit: the 2019 S65 Convertible will only manage 14/21/16 mpg city/highway/combined. Those EPA-estimated numbers can be improved upon in the real world when you drive with a feather foot, but in reality, you're more likely to get around the low teens. A 24.3-gallon gas tank, which only accepts premium gas, gives the S65 Convertible an estimated maximum range of 389 miles.

AMG S65 Convertible Interior

Seating and Interior Space

Despite the fact that the four-seater S65 Convertible has a retractable roof, it still offers good interior space. Official measurements aren't provided by Mercedes-AMG, but we felt that it closely matched the 41.4 inches of front legroom as offered in the sedan version, and despite the Convertible's rear legroom measurement taking a hit, most will find it more than generous. Headroom comes in at 37.7 inches with the top up, enough for even taller drivers. The only downside is that access is hampered by the long doors in tight parking spaces.

AMG S65 Convertible Trunk and Cargo Space

You'd be led to believe that a big car such as the S65 would offer ample trunk and cargo space, but most of the 198.9 inches of the total length are taken up by that massive V12 engine and luxurious cabin with miles of legroom. The S65 Coupe manages 10.4 cubic feet in its trunk, while the Convertible can only offer seven cubes with the top down. That pales in comparison to the BMW 8 Series Convertible's 12.4 cubic foot measurement. Small-item storage is limited to the center console glove box and tight door pockets, while rear passengers will have to hold on to their stuff themselves.

Features

Those who are willing to spend the vast amounts of money necessary to park an S65 Convertible in their garage will be expecting a serious features list, and Mercedes-AMG has provided it - and then some. The exterior gets standard LED lighting with Swarovski crystal accents and auto headlight tech, while the interior is awash in the latest that Mercedes-AMG has to offer. The SmartKey, remote access system, welcomes you inside the cabin, where you'll find heated and ventilated seats with hot stone massage functionality as well as Mercedes-AMG's AIRSCARF neck-level heating system. Dual-zone climate control keeps things temperate, and 64-color ambient LED interior lighting and illuminated door sills keep things dazzling. Everything you can touch is heated, including the steering wheel and rear seats. Driver assists are second to none, with every collision avoidance measure imaginable available here.

Infotainment

Not only does the S65 Convertible wrap its occupants in sumptuous luxury, but it also offers cutting edge tech and a dashboard which is constructed almost exclusively out of infotainment display screens. The dual 12.3-inch high-resolution displays sit next to each other, one behind the steering wheel and one centrally placed in the dash. The system is controlled by a Mercedes-AMG COMAND system which includes a touchpad, rotary controller, steering wheel controls as well as voice control. You get standard navigation, a head-up display, dual USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a high-end 24-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system. The configurable screens look amazing, and transitions between different menus are smooth and glitch-free. Voice commands are understood most of the time, even when the top is down at cruising speed, and any sound that comes out of the Burmester sound system sounds great.

AMG S65 Convertible Problems and Reliability

Mercedes-AMG's most extravagant model is quite reliable, and according to the NHTSA has only been recalled once in 2019 as part of a larger recall for active brake assist potentially not engaging. J.D. Power gives it a score of 87 out of 100. Mercedes-AMG covers the S65 Convertible with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, but a number of options exist to extend this coverage for a fee.

Warranty

AMG S65 Convertible Safety

As a low-volume car, the S65 Convertible has not been tested by the IIHS and NHTSA, but its long list of standard safety features indicate that it should be on the safer side. Standard safety features include ten airbags, auto forward-braking, lane keep assist, driver attention assist (which lets the driver know when the system notices erratic driving behavior), route-based speed adaptation, and Mercedes-AMG' Car to X communication system, which allows the S65 Convertible to receive and communicate road hazards with other Mercedes-AMG cars in the vicinity.

Verdict: Is The 2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible A Good car?

Some of the most successful business people and economists are starting to speculate about the demise of the capitalist system, with some stating that we've reached the pinnacle of personal wealth and, basically, greed. Looking at the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible, we can totally see where these people are coming from; the S65 Convertible tries to be understated but fails miserably at hiding its monied DNA. The sheer scale of the thing already attracts the eye, and the roar of its V12 engine at full tilt completely blows its cover. Speaking of which, the twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine, producing 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque is another middle finger to the animals, plants, ozone layer, and have-nots that occupy this planet, but what makes the S65 Convertible so great is that it flaunts its excessiveness in a way that is surprisingly palatable; it won't struggle to find its way into the garages of the super-wealthy.

What's the Price of the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible?

You're either reading this because you're interested to see how far over or under your prediction was, or because you're actually interested in buying one. To put everyone's minds at ease, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible starts off at $253,550, excluding a gas guzzler fee of $1,300. BMW sells their M850i xDrive Convertible for $121,400 until such time as the M8 arrives, while a 2019 Aston Martin DB11 Volante will set you back $201,495. Fully loaded, the S65 Convertible costs in the region of $280,000.

What Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible Model Should I Buy?

Seeing as there's only one model on offer, the choice will boil down to which optional extras to go for. Features already included in the impressive S65 Convertible's itinerary is full LED lighting inside and out, a surround-view camera system, heated and ventilated front seats with power adjustment, three memory settings, and a hot stone massage function. Dual-zone climate control keeps things cool, and the unique AIRSCARF neck-level heating system keeps things warm during those early morning coffee runs, and the Burmester 3D surround sound system will wake the neighbors and the rest of the block without breaking a sweat. Standard safety tech includes lane change assistance, active distance control, route-based speed adaptation, and rear cross-traffic alert. What we're trying to say is that this car comes loaded with standard features. If you're looking for a bit more aggression in the styling department, there's a $5,300 carbon fiber styling package, or you could go for the $8,950 AMG high-performance ceramic composite braking system - but that's overkill and largely unnecessary for the big GT.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible Comparisons

2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible vs BMW 8 Series Convertible

With the BMW M8 only available for 2020, the M850i xDrive Convertible will have to suffice for this comparison. The four-seater GT convertible from Bavarian automakers BMW is powered by a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, which, despite its power disadvantage, will accelerate to sixty in only 3.8 seconds - faster than the S65. Additionally, it will return an impressive 17/26/20 mpg city/highway/combined. The 8 Series Convertible is a smaller car, and places its focus on the front passengers instead of catering to all, but does manage to offer a useful 12.4 cubic feet of trunk space, which is considerably more than in the Merc. On the road, the BMW is a more nimble car, and will definitely be the driving fan's choice, but where it loses out is in overall road comfort and sheer luxury. The S65 Convertible is in a different league when it comes to interior class and luxury appointments, but at only half the price of the S65 Convertible, the BMW offering is hard to pass up.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S65 Convertible vs Aston Martin DB11 Volante

You'll struggle to find the same sort of old-world class anywhere else; the DB11 Volante and S65 Convertible ooze old-money style, but the Aston Martin turns it up to eleven. Powered by an AMG-derived 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 503 hp and 497 lb-ft of torque, the four-seater DB11 Volante will blast to sixty in four seconds, equalling the Merc, and will return 18/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined. Visually the Aston Martin is arguably the better-looking car and is visibly smaller, measuring only 186.6 inches versus the S65's 198.9. Inside, the beautifully crafted interior offers less space and overall tech, especially in the infotainment department where its small centrally-mounted display is dwarfed by the dual 12.3-inch monsters found in the AMG S65. The DB11 also misses out on the vast array of safety features found in the big Merc, but it does offer more drama out on the road, and if turning heads is your thing, then you won't go wrong with the styling Brit.