- Highs: Sensational V-8 engine, superb braking and handling, comes in three body styles.
- Lows: Harsh ride, driver-assistance features cost extra, no complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Verdict: Incredibly, you can get still get a car in this class with a V-8 stuffed under the hood. Go buy one today.
Overview
It's
getting harder to find a car in the compact-luxury class with
ridiculous levels of performance. So we should all be happy for the
existence of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG C63, the hot-rod version of the Mercedes-Benz C-class.
It's available as a sedan, coupe, or convertible, and every one of them
comes with a twin-turbocharged V-8 engine hand-built by engineers in
Affalterbach, Germany. The regular C63 makes 469 horsepower, while the
C63 S is tuned to make 503 hp. Either way, this car gathers speed in
gobs and promises to bring excitement to your humdrum commute. We could
do without the harsh ride, but the C63 is so much fun you might not
care.What's New for 2020?
There
are a few equipment changes on the 2020 Mercedes-AMG C63. Sedans and
coupes now have keyless access and hands-free trunklid control as
standard. All 2020 C63 convertibles come with the Aircap feature, which
uses deflectors to keep the open-air cockpit warm or cool, and
power-folding sideview mirrors. Iridium Silver Metallic is a new
exterior color.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- Sedan: $69,095
- Coupe: $70,895
- Cabriolet: $78,295
- S sedan: $76,695
- S coupe: $78,495
- S cabriolet: $85,895
While
you might prefer the style of the coupe or convertible, our money would
go to the sedan. It's lighter than the coupe, which has a full-length
panoramic sunroof that lets in sunlight but packs on pounds. Plus, we
like the understated appeal of a fast four-door. It's hard not to want
the more potent C63 S model, but the actual performance differences are
slight. Only the S has the nine-step AMG Traction Control system, but we
found it too intrusive in the C63 coupe that we drove in Lightning Lap 2019,
so it's not a must-have. Instead, we'd get the standard C63 sedan and
add the Exterior Lighting package to get adaptive LED headlights and the
AMG Performance front seats, because they are exceptionally supportive.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The
2020 Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S have a hand-built, twin-turbo 4.0-liter
V-8 engine. In the C63, it makes 469 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of
torque. The C63 S ups the performance ante with 503 horsepower and 516
lb-ft. Both engines use a nine-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive.
Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph on the regular C63 and
180 mph on the S. In our testing,
the C63 S went from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and ripped through
the quarter-mile in 11.9 seconds at 122 mph; we haven't tested a C63. In
Lightning Lap 2019, a C63 S coupe turned in a 2:57.1 lap, which puts it right behind the discontinued Cadillac CTS-Von our all-time list.
All C63s come standard with an electronically controlled limited-slip
rear differential and an AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive
dampers. Dynamic engine mounts are included on C63 S variants. Handling
is excellent. Equipped with summer tires, the C63 S managed 1.02 g's of
lateral acceleration on our skidpad and braked from 70 mph to a stop in
just 157 feet. This capability comes at the price of comfort, as the
ride is harsh over rough pavement.
Mercedes-AMG C63 S at Lightning Lap
2020 Mercedes-AMG C63 Reviewed – Mighty Muscular C
The Mercedes-AMG C63
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
There's
no difference in EPA fuel economy between the C63 and C63 S, but there
are differences among the body styles. The sedan is rated at 18 mpg city
and 27 mpg highway ratings. The coupe and cabriolet are both EPA-rated
at 17 mpg in the city, but the coupe has a 26-mpg highway rating versus
24 for the convertible.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Black
faux-leather/microfiber upholstery is standard in the regular-strength
C63, while the S models have leather seats. Both versions get a choice
of wood and aluminum interior accents. We're big fans of the available
AMG Performance seats, which have a ventilation feature. Although you
can load up on technology in the cockpit, this is an elegant car at
heart, and both the materials and the ambience are in keeping with the
high asking price. The C63 sedan has a 12.6-cubic-foot trunk, while the
coupe has a smaller 10.5-cubic-foot cargo hold. Both have a
40/20/40-split folding rear seat. The C63 cabriolet has a standard
power-operated soft top (available in four colors) and offers 8.8 cubic
feet of cargo space when the top is up. Its rear seats fold in a 50/50
split.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The
standard setup in the 2020 Mercedes-AMG features a 10.3-inch
infotainment interface with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration
and two USB ports. A Burmester surround-sound audio system is also
standard, as is a six-month trial for SiriusXM satellite radio. Options
include factory navigation; a customizable, 12.3-inch digital instrument
panel; and a head-up display. You might also want to consider the
optional AMG Drive Unit, which provides quick-access buttons on the
steering wheel to adjust the car's many drivetrain and chassis settings.
Another option is AMG Track Pace, which lets you store performance data
from your vehicle in the infotainment interface when you're driving on a
road course.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The
AMG version of the C-class hasn't been tested by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for
Highway Safety (IIHS), although the regular Benz-branded 2019 C-class
managed to snag a Top Safety Pick+ award
from IIHS. Every C63 comes equipped with basic safety features such as a
forward-collision system and blind-spot monitoring. Additional driver-assistance aids are available, including Level 2 semi-autonomous features
such as adaptive cruise control with automatic resume capability in
stop-and-go traffic and lane-change assist (which can steer into the
next lane for you). These items are part of the Driver Assistance
package, which must be purchased in combination with the Multimedia
package. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision system with automated braking
- Standard blind-spot monitoring, available blind-spot assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode
- Available lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mercedes-AMG's
warranty is nothing special for this price range. Instead of
complimentary scheduled maintenance, there are prepaid maintenance plans
available at extra cost when you purchase your 2020 C63.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance