2021 Mercedes-AMG S63 Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Starting at $174,150

9.5/10

C/D RATING

Specs

Photos

Mercedes Benz

9.5/10 C/D RATING

Specs

Photos

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Highs Positively palatial interiors, silky refinement and thrilling athleticism, countless tech and luxury features.
Lows Sedan body style not available, cabin design looks dated versus new S-class, driver assists cost extra.
Verdict Although pricey and soon-to-be replaced, the AMG-tuned S63 coupe and cabriolet are luxurious, powerful, and still highly attractive.

By Eric Stafford

Overview

Mercedes-Benz has debuted the next-generation S-class sedan, but those seeking a souped-up AMG S-class will have to settle for a two-door 2021 S63—for now. Available as a coupe or cabriolet (read: convertible), the S63 still rides on the old S-class platform and features an interior with less technological wizardry. Not that we're complaining. They're currently the only way to get a 603-hp twin-turbo V-8 and sport-oriented chassis enhancements in a car wearing the S-class badge. This configuration provides swift acceleration and surprisingly agile handling but neither of those characteristics compromise the S63's smooth and refined driving manners. With impeccably crafted cabins and no shortage of upscale features and tech, the 2021 S63 coupe and cabriolet are too expensive for most everyone, but exciting and extravagant for the elite.

What's New for 2021?

For 2021, Mercedes drops the V-12-powered AMG S65 sedan. The four-door body style in AMG spec is currently on hiatus as the regular Mercedes-Benz S-class enters a new generation. The S63 coupe and cabriolet carry over largely unchanged, however. Both models are now available in Cirrus Silver and they feature newly standard massaging front seats with enhanced heating functions. A surround-view camera system is also now standard.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The price of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG S63 starts at $174,150 and goes up to $186,450 depending on the trim and options.

Between the hardtop and soft-top versions of the S63, we prefer the one that can go topless. Mercedes offers the retractable soft top in four different colors (black, blue, beige, and red) at no extra cost. There are also appearance packages to replace the standard exterior chrome trim with black or carbon-fiber accents. Inside, there's a selection of leather upholstery and trim options. For those who want an assortment of active safety features, the Driver Assistance package fills out the roster with equipment such as adaptive cruise control and other assists that make driving easier and safer.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Peek under the hood of the S63 and you'll find a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine that provides 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. The engine pairs with an unobtrusive nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. This setup makes the S63 a very quick driving machine. In our tests, the coupe made the dash from zero to 60 mph in a scant 3.0 seconds. Both S63 body styles comport themselves with dignity and precision. They're also easygoing companions when the road gets rough, with suspension tuning that's designed to keep harshness out of the cabin.

View Photos

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The government estimates that the Mercedes-Benz S63 coupe will achieve fuel economy of 16 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The cabriolet version is less efficient, with ratings of 14 mpg city and 24 highway. We observed fuel economy of 18 mpg with an S63 coupe but really, does it matter? For more information about the S63's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Cabin design is a soaring high point with the S63. It boasts an interior that looks opulent from every angle, with tasteful styling and the finest materials. The front seats come with a massaging feature that delivers a spa experience. Effective insulation keeps things suitably muted within the cabin when the car is in motion. The S63 convertible and coupe variants provide seven cubic feet and 10 cubes of cargo room, respectively.

View Photos

Infotainment and Connectivity

The S63's list of standard tech features is exhaustive. It includes a 13-speaker Burmester surround-sound steres, wireless-device charging, and navigation. All models come with a Wi-Fi hotspot as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. An even fancier Burmester sound system with 24 speakers is also available.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Mercedes offers these plush and powerful two-doors with a bevy of driver-assistance features. For more information about the S63's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
Available lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Mercedes provides warranty protection that's on par with coverage offered by luxury rivals from BMW and Audi. However, unlike both of those competitors, Mercedes doesn’t offer any complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications:

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE AS TESTED: $206,145 (base price: $168,695)

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 243 cu in, 3982 cc
Power: 603 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 664 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

CHASSIS:
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.4-in vented, cross-drilled, slotted disc/14.2-in vented, cross-drilled, slotted disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 3, F: 255/40ZR-20 (101Y) MO R: 285/35ZR-20 (104Y) MO

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 115.9 in
Length: 198.9 in
Width: 75.3 in Height: 55.6 in
Passenger volume: 99 cu ft
Trunk volume: 14 cu ft
Curb weight: 4784 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 3.0 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 7.2 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 11.9 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 16.3 sec
Zero to 170 mph: 22.8 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 4.1 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.4 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.0 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 11.2 sec @ 126 mph
Top speed (governor limited, mfr’s claim): 186 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 165 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.94 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY:
Observed: 18 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY:
Combined/city/highway: 20/17/27 mpg

>>CLICK TO DOWNLOAD TEST SHEET<<

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2021 Mercedes-AMG S63 Review, Pricing, and Specs (2024)

Starting at $174,150

Overview

What's New for 2021?

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Infotainment and Connectivity

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Specifications

Shopping Tools

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