The 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 63 S sedan is an over-the-top luxury vehicle with track-worthy performance. With a whopping 603 horsepower, it’s one of the quickest Mercedes-AMG models yet, while the sumptuous cabin can be as pampering as a day at the spa. You’ll have to shell out six figures to park this baby in your driveway.
Base Price: $107,500
As Tested: $134,440
Horsepower: 603
Mileage: 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway/18 mpg combined
The Mercedes-Benz E-class got redesigned for the 2017 model year. For 2021, the E 63 S gets refreshed with some exterior and interior tweaks including a new grille with larger Mercedes badge, updated headlights and taillights, new 20-inch wheels, new steering wheel, and the infotainment system gets the latest MBUX operating system.
The E-Class is available in a wide array of body styles: sedan, wagon, coupe and convertible, and each is available in a multitude of trims. The top-of-the-card AMG E 63 S is available as a sedan, starting at $107,500, and wagon, starting at $112,450. All E 63 S models come standard with the AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system.
This Mercedes looks like it would be fast and it is. It’s powered by a handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 bi-turbo engine that produces 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, paired with a Speedshift MCT nine-speed transmission. Every engine is handcrafted by one technician, and a plaque engraved with the tech’s name is attached to the engine.
Yes, this baby accelerates like a rocket ship, going from zero to 60 in just 3.3 seconds with an electronically-limited top speed of 186 mph. The nine-speed shifts quickly and precisely, always finding the right gear. Steering is just-right responsive. The brakes are sensitive and take a soft touch – I sent my front passenger lurching a few times.
While the E 63 S begs to be pushed to higher speeds where you can experience its thrilling performance, it’s also pleasant to drive in more mundane situations, like driving in stop-and-go traffic, running to the grocery store, or dropping the kids off at school. The ride is as smooth as gliding on a cloud. And the optional massaging front seats soothe away the stresses of the day. Visibility to the front is good, but the narrow rear window limits visibility to the rear.
Once you’ve dropped the kids off, you might enjoy putting the E 63 S in Drift Mode which puts the vehicle into rear-wheel-drive. This can be activated in the RACE drive program using the shift paddles. Drift Mode remains engaged until you deactivate it again. I won’t tell if you smoke the tires! Other drive programs are Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.
Fuel economy is what you’d expect for a high-performance sedan. EPA ratings for my tester are 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway with a combined rating of 18. I got 18 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The wickedly fancy cabin is elegant, roomy, quiet, and very well-equipped. Seats are supportive and comfortable and can be adjusted a multitude of ways. Controls and gauges are easy to see and reach. The front seats have good leg- and headroom, but the rear seats may be a bit tight for taller passengers. The huge digital display stretches across the dash. You can tailor the instrument panel display in different settings: Modern Classic, Sport and Supersport.
The new MBUX infotainment system is better than the old COMAND system. With its two 12.3-inch screens, touchscreen and touchpad, the system looks a little daunting but it’s actually easy to use with a little practice. Menus are logically arranged, and there are physical knobs and buttons for common functions. Say “Hey, Mercedes” to start voice control. However you provide input, the system responds promptly.
Standard features include keyless start, keyless entry, surround view camera, dual-zone climate control, power heated and ventilated front seats with lumbar support and memory, heated steering wheel, MBUX infotainment and navigation system, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Burmester surround sound audio system, satellite radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, voice control, wireless device charging, 64 color ambient lighting, and a power sunroof.
Available features include multicontour front seats with massage function, head-up display, Burmester high-end surround sound system, increased cabin insulation, and a panoramic sunroof.
Standard driver assistance technologies include automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring, and parking assist.
Available driver assistance technologies include blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, lane change assist, active emergency stop assist, active speed limit assist, active brake assist with cross-traffic function, evasive steering assist, and route-based speed adaptation.
Trunk space is a little below average for the class with 13.1 cubic feet. But the wide opening makes it easy to load and fit larger items. The rear seats split 40/20/24. The cabin has several smaller storage bins and cubbies.
The good:
Thrilling, track-worthy performance
Comfortable ride
Sumptuous, luxurious cabin
Loaded with standard and available tech and features
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
Everything about the E 63 S has a high-end feel
The not-so-good:
Spendy with a six-figure price tag
Smaller trunk than some rivals
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $107,500. Graphite Grey metallic paint is $720. Metal weave is $600. AMG Carbon ceramic braking system is $8,950. Air Balance package with cabin air fragrancing and ionization is $350. AMG twin five-spoke wheels with black accents are $200. Augmented video for navigation is $350. Panorama sunroof is $1,000. Active multicontour front seats with massage feature are $1,320. Head-up display is $1,100. Black Dinamica headliner is $1,600. Burmester high-end surround sound system is $4,550. Driver Assistance package is $1,950 and includes active distance assist, active steering assist, active lane change assist, active emergency stop assist, active speed limit assist, active rake assist with cross-traffic function, evasive steering assist, active lane keeping assist, active blind spot assist, Pre-safe Plus rear-end collision protection, Pre-safe impulse side, and route-based speed adaptation. Exterior Lighting package is $900 and includes LED intelligent light system and adaptive high beam assist. Sun Protection Package is $800 and adds manual rear-side window sunshades and power rear window sunshade. AMG Night Package is $750 and includes high-gloss black elements, front splitter, exterior mirror covers, fender inserts, side sill inserts, window trim, rear diffuser insert and black chrome tailpipe trim. Acoustic Comfort Package is $1,100 and includes increased cabin insulation, and windshield and side windows with acoustic and heat absorbing membrane. Destination fee is $1,050 bringing the grand total to $134,440.
Bottom line:
Does anyone need a luxury sedan with 603 hp and a price tag well into six figures? Probably not. But the 2021 Mercedes E 63 S is everything and more you expect a luxury sports sedan to be. It’s stunning inside and out, and is both thrilling and comfortable to drive.
