In rankings of popular super luxury grand tourers, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe often gets the shaft when compared with the likes of the Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin DB11, and Rolls-Royce Wraith. It’s not conventional to think of the AMG S 63 Coupe in the same category as these models, and yet, the German saloon has proven, time and again, that it doesn’t only belong in the conversation, but it can also lay claim to being the best of the lot. The 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe, in particular, personifies the split identity of this segment. It’s civil and brutal at the same time, deliberate and raunchy, advanced beyond measure yet ferociously savage when it needs to be. It tugs at the essence of what a grand tourer should be, and in doing so, it’s staking claim to a throne that has previously — and unfairly — been out of its reach.

Is the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe a Good Car?

“Good” doesn’t even begin to describe the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe. In the super expensive world of super luxury performance cars, the AMG S 63 Coupe is probably the best of the lot. Certainly, it’s one of the finest examples of German engineering, blending luxury craftsmanship with authentic power and performance chops. It boasts one of the most luxurious interiors you’ll find in the market, so much so that you’re going to have to be extremely meticulous about the craftsmanship to find a sore spot in the cabin. The AMG S 63 Coupe also delivers one of the smoothest rides of any car in the market today. To think, this is not a small and lightweight vehicle, yet it feels like one when you’re sitting behind the steering wheel. The 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe isn’t a “good” car. It may not even be a “great” car. It’s an excellent car that’s worth the amount you’re going to have to pay for it.

How Fast is the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe?

The Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe gets its juice from a 4.0-liter Biturbo V-8 engine that produces a tidy 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. That’s the number Mercedes-AMG is touting, but it does feel like the AMG S 63 Coupe has a little more power than advertised. Plant your feet into the pedal, and you can feel the coupé engage instantly as the resulting g’s plant your body into the seat. It’s equal doses exciting and scary, though it’s also a testament to the fluidity of Mercedes-AMG’s new nine-speed transmission. The occasion bouts of clunkiness from the old seven-speed unit is a thing of the past. It’s all smooth going with the nine-speed unit, which can probably be traced back to AMG ditching the torque converter and instead using a multi-plate clutch that now couples the engine and the transmission. The power transition is smooth at all stops, though you can feel it more completely when you activate the launch-control system to rocket from a standstill position to 60 mph in a little over three seconds. The coupe’s 155-mph electronically limited top speed is a bit of a letdown considering that rival models like the Bentley Continental GT come with uncapped top speeds. The Continental GT, for example, tops out at 198 mph. Mercedes-AMG does offer the AMG Driver’s Package that includes removing the speed limiter, increasing the AMG S 63 Coupe’s top speed to 186 mph. That figure is right in line with what you’d expect from its rivals. I just wish you wouldn’t have to pay more to get it installed.

Should I Buy the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe?

If you have the funds and the taste for one, I’m not going to stop you from buying one. In fact, I’ll even encourage you if you meet the aforementioned stipulations. The 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe isn't the type of car that aligns with personal logic; it's a type of car you buy because you want to. A car as rounded as the AMG S 63 Coupe doesn’t come around often. Besides, would you rather pay in excess of $20,000 or more in added costs for a Bentley Continental GT or an Aston Martin DB11 when you can buy probably the best of them all and save money along the way? It shouldn’t be a difficult decision unless you’re spending your whole life savings on the car. In that case, it might be best to leave the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe alone and get something that falls within your budget.

Should I Buy a New or Used Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe?

Money talks when it comes to a car like the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe, especially if you’re thinking about buying a used one as opposed to a brand-new model. Mind you; we’re not just talking about a coupé that you can scoop up on the Internet for barely $20,000. We’re talking about a German performance coupé that can still fetch around $100,000 even if it has years and miles under its belt. We looked up a few listings of older — sedan and coupé — models of the AMG S 63 and found that models from 2015 to 2018 are priced anywhere from $70,000 to $110,000. If you’re going to spend that much on a used AMG S 63 Coupe, we recommend you to just buy something else, perhaps a cheaper AMG model like the C 63 Coupe. That model starts at just $67,000. Now, if you don’t mind owning a decade-old AMG S 63 Coupe, then you can actually buy one for around $20,000 to $30,000 depending on the condition. That’s the caveat, though — the condition of the model.

How Much Does the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Cost?

Pricing for the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe starts at $168,695. Make no mistake about it, folks, this bad boy is going to put a serious dent on your bank accounts. The stated price could also balloon past $200,000 if you choose to throw in a few options and packages into your shopping cart. Want to load up on the carbon fiber? That’s going to cost you an extra $6,500 should you avail of the Carbon Fiber package. Dress up the exterior in a Matte-Gray paint finish? That’s another $3,950 to think about. Heck, Mercedes-AMG will also throw in Swarovski crystal headlamp accents for the daytime running lamps and turn signals, provided that you’re willing to pay $1,750 for that extra slice of vanity. If you have the need to avail of a lot of the options available to the super coupé, you’re going to need to shell out at least $200,000 for the coupe. The good news is that even with all these add-ons, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe remains the cheaper alternative compared to, say, buying a Bentley Continental GT V8 that starts at $198,500 or the Aston Martin DB11 that’s going to set you back at least $201,000. Even McLaren’s all-new GT supercar is expected to carry a more expensive base price at around $200,000. The Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe offers tremendous value, at least compared to the other choices that are available.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe vs. The Competition

Which is Better: 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe or 2019 Aston Martin DB11

The Aston Martin DB11 is one of the most accomplished grand tourers in the market. Though it falls short in some categories — its own V-8 engine produces 100 less horsepower than the AMG S 63 Coupe’s own V-8 — the DB11 makes up for it with its incredible ride. I mentioned that there aren’t a lot of luxury saloons that can compare to the AMG S 63 Coupe’s ride quality. Well, the DB11 is one of them. It’s incredibly fun to drive, in part because it’s almost 250 pounds lighter than its V-12 counterpart. It’s very obedient with its responses to your driving style. Floor the pedal, and it springs to action in a heartbeat — it only takes 3.7 seconds for the DB11 to hit 60 mph from a standstill position. Drive it around complicated twists and turns, and it responds in a snap, often bringing its rear axle into action if you’re looking to smoke a few tires in the process. The DB11 offers as much fun and excitement that a V-8-powered grand tourer can provide. Pity that it costs a hell of a lot more than the 2019 AMG S 63 Coupe.

Which is Better: The 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Or The 2019 Bentley Continental GT V8

As well regarded as Mercedes-Benz is in the auto world, it doesn’t possess the same luxury cache as the true inhabitants of the luxury car segment. Bentley is Bentley, and the 2019 Continental GT is one of the best examples of the marquee’s stature in the industry. The Continental GT has everything you want in a grand tourer. It’s beyond powerful, shockingly fast, and incredibly agile for a car that weights in excess of 5,000 pounds. All of that belies the fact that it’s also home to one of the most well-appointed and luxurious interiors you’ll ever see. It’s like a five-star hotel room if that five-star hotel room also had a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine that produces 500 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque. The Bentley falls short in the power department opposite the AMG S 63 Coupe, but since it isn’t beholden to any speed limiters, the Continental GT actually has a higher top speed than its German counterpart. The Bentley also has a slightly higher starting price — $198,500 — than the AMG S 63 Coupe. That’s expected since this is, after all, Bentley we’re talking about here.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Interior

The 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe can sit up to four people, though don’t expect it to be as comfortable as the sedan version. The good news is that the AMG S 63 Coupe has some of the most comfortable seats in a car that money can buy. Both rows of seats are supportive, while the front seats are highly customizable depending on your seating preferences. Both seats even have heating vents underneath the headrests in case you need to warm yourselves. The style, material, and the tech in these seats are some of the best ones you can find anywhere. At the very least, they contribute to the encompassing luxury experience presented by Mercedes-AMG.

This is one of the AMG S 63 Coupe’s most important qualities. When you think of this model, you don’t think about its luxury stature. You see the initials “A-M-G,” and your first thoughts are probably its engine, the output of the engine, and the subsequent performance abilities. You don’t think about the AMG S 63 Coupe’s interior because it doesn’t have the same cache as Rolls-Royce and Bentley, at least in that department. Well, it does. The AMG S 63 Coupe is dripping with luxury. From fine leather to wood elements, carbon fiber trim panels, and arguably one of the most extensive lineup of options and packages, you’d be hard-pressed to find a grand tourer that’s as loaded on the luxury front as the AMG S 63 Coupe.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Child Car Seats

Just like the 2019 Mercedes S-Class, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe comes with a pair of LATCH connectors for installing car seats. That said, just because the connectors are there, that doesn’t mean that it’s advisable to bring a child or a baby along when you’re driving a car as fast and as powerful as the AMG S 63 Coupe. If you want to bring the kids with you, drive another car that has more space in the rear for the little ones.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Infotainment, Bluetooth, And Navigation

Much like the Mercedes S-Class, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe comes with a host of standard tech features, none more important than the pair of 12.3-inch screens that sit in front of the driver and stretches all the way to the center console, The screens play the dual role of digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. The screens are highly functional, though, more importantly, they’re clear and precise in their presentation. They’re not fancy to the point of overbearing and, functionally, they’re equipped with all the important connectivity features you need in the cope. Satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and navigation are part of the coupe’s interior tech offerings. The AMG S 63 Coupe also comes with a pair of USB ports. Added features that you can also throw in include rear-cabin wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a 26-speaker Burmester audio system in the event that you want to upgrade from the standard 13-speaker audio system.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Performance

Over three seconds. That’s how fast it takes the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe to sprint from 0 to 60 mph. Blink, and you’ll miss it. The coupe’s 0-to-60-mph time dominates the Aston Martin DB11 by almost a whole second and the Bentley Continental GT V8 by a full 1.3 seconds. If there is a downside to the AMG S 63 Coupe, it’s its capped top speed. The high-performance coupe tops out at 155 mph due to an electronic speed limiter that’s present in all Mercedes models. Neither the DB11 nor the Continental GT V8 has capped top speeds. That explains why both models can rampage up to 196 mph and 198 mph, respectively, beating the AMG S 63 Coupe in the dust. Fortunately, there is an option to increase the AMG S 63 Coupe's top speed to 186 mph. Simply throw in the AMG Driver’s Package into the purchase of the coupe.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Engine

Past versions of the Mercedes-AMG S 63 AMG Coupe came with a massive 5.5-liter Biturbo V-8 engine that produces 585 horsepower and 664 pounds-feet of torque. Mercedes-AMG ditched that engine for the 2019 model, opting instead for a smaller 4.0-liter Biturbo V-8 unit that produces 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Do the math, and the numbers point to an increase of 18 horsepower. The smaller engine comes with improved fuel efficiency and faster performance times. More importantly, the AMG S 63 Coupe’s output is head and shoulders higher than what its rivals are capable of. Both the Aston Martin DB11 and the Bentley Continental GT V8 only have around 500 horsepower at their disposal.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S63 drivetrain specifications

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Average Range

For a model of its size and, well, abilities, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe is relatively fuel-efficient, at least compared to other models in its class. The EPA estimates that the high-performance coupé returns 17 miles to the gallon in the city and 27 miles to the gallon on the highway. Our own observations fell along with those figures, though we were able to move the needle above to 18 mph on average. Incremental gains, but important nonetheless. It’s worth noting that these estimates are better than the figures on its predecessor, which returned EPA numbers of 15 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Give credit to the smaller V-8 unit for that, specifically a new cylinder-deactivation system that can slash fuel to only half of the engine’s cylinders. You should know, though, that this system can only be used when the coupé is in the default driving mode, and it activates between 1,000 rpm to 3,250 rpm.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Ride and Handling

The Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe has one of the most refined interiors in its class. It also boasts a powerful V-8 engine that can produce supercar-levels of power and performance. And yet, none of those things are what makes this rollicking luxury performance coupé stand out. The AMG S 63 Coupe’s biggest and most appealing characteristic is its ride and handling. Very few cars in the market boast the kind of ride quality that the S 63 Coupe provides. It’s smooth, quiet, and comfortable all rolled into one. But as refined and relaxed as it is, it only takes a hard push of the pedal to reveal the coupe’s gnarlier personality. It’s that ability to turn on a switch that makes the AMG S 63 Coupe a standout model, even in a segment populated by Aston Martins, Bentleys, and Rolls-Royces.

Specifications

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Reliability

Is the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Reliable?

J.D. Power has yet to perform a reliability test on the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe based on its 100-point score rating system. That said, buyers should take comfort knowing that the earlier version of the AMG S 63 Coupe (2018MY) achieved a score of 92 out of 100 with high marks (10/10 score) given to its exterior and interior, as well as performance and drivability.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Warranty

Like all Mercedes models, the AMG S 63 Coupe comes with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty. That’s the basic warranty. Other warranty options include a two-year/20,000-mile warranty covering wear and tear, an eight-year/80,000-mile warranty for “certain emissions parts,” and a four-year/unlimited mileage warranty for roadside assistance, among others.

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Safety

2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Crash Test Results

Like most super luxury cars, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe has yet to undergo crash tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Mercedes is known in automotive circles as a company that takes the safety of its cars seriously. It’s no different with the new AMG S 63 Coupe. Take airbags, for example. They’re everywhere inside the coupé. There are front-impact airbags, side-impact airbags, and overhead airbags that can protect your noggins in the event you get hit on the side or if your car is rolling over. There are also knee airbags to protect your legs. Standard safety features like anti-lock brakes and stability control are also present in the coupé. The latter comes in handy when you lose control of your car. Stability control automatically senses when the coupé reaches its handling limits and automatically reduces engine power or applies select brakes to keep you from losing control of your car. None of these features are sexy, but they could be the difference between you surviving a car crash and, well, you get the point.

Other interesting safety features like driver drowsiness monitoring helps you stay alert at all times. The coupé also comes with Mercedes' Pre-Safe technology, which automatically tightens seat belts and rolls up windows if it detects an imminent collision.

All these safety features are great, but did I actually feel safe inside the car when I was taking it out for a spin? You bet I did. There’s something unnerving about sitting inside a car, and you feel like you’re being wrapped up in a cocoon of safety and luxury. You get a similar feeling with other luxury sedans, notably the Volvo S90, but it feels a little unnerving in the AMG S 63 Coupe, especially when you know what it’s capable of when you pin the pedals onto the floor.

Is the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe Right for Me?

If you’re in the market for a spitfire performance coupe that can double as a luxury car on rainy days, the Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe is just right for you. It’s not cheap, but if you can afford one, there’s a good chance that you’ll know what to do with it once it’s in your hands. Always remember, the AMG S 63 Coupe is a car that’s meant to be driven, not ridden.

Final Thoughts

Individually ask a group of 100 people what they think is the best luxury performance car in the world, and you’re probably going to get 100 different answers. Some people prefer the luxury side of that equation, whereas others are all about the need for speed. But when you combine both elements, a lot of these so-called contenders fall by the wayside, leaving previous few models to choose from. One of the precious few models is the 2019 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe. I’m checking myself from saying that the AMG S 63 Coupe is the perfect car for its segment, but the more I think about it, the more I believe that sentiment. The time I spent with the coupé was a revelation on my part. The 2019 AMG S 63 Coupe is equal parts mesmerizing and imposing. It can lull you to sleep with its refined interior and jolt you to life with that monstrous V-8 engine. It really is the ideal blend of both worlds. You get two cars for the price of one, even if that price approaches $200,000.