- Highs: Impeccably crafted cabin, swift acceleration, refined handling.
- Lows: Less cargo space than competing sedans, less fuel efficient than some rivals, steeper base price than some rivals.
- Verdict: Boasting sumptuous cabin design and muscular performance, the S63 and S65 are at the top of the luxury-car food chain.
Overview
In many ways, the Mercedes-Benz S-class
represents the best of the best if you're in the market for a large
luxury car; the Mercedes-AMG S63 and S65 are this model's
high-performance variants. They pack more horsepower than other S-class
models and come with upgrades such as beefier brakes and an adaptive
sport suspension. The 2020 S63 is available as a sedan, convertible, and
coupe, but the S65 is offered solely as a sedan. With their palatial
cabins and endless selection of tech and convenience amenities, the S63
and S65 deliver breathtaking luxury. They also provide performance that
blends silky refinement with thrilling athleticism. These cars cost more
than rival models, but they're well worth the price of admission. What's New for 2020?
For the 2020 model year, Mercedes-AMG has discontinued the S65 coupe and convertible, leaving just the sedan.
Pricing and Suggestion
- S63 sedan: $152,595
- S63 coupe: $172,395
- S63 cabriolet: $184,495
- S65 sedan: $236,595
The
S63 and S65 differ mainly in their output; the latter model offers more
horsepower. We think the S63 sedan offers more than enough power to
satisfy most buyers in this segment, and that's the model we'd
recommend. It rides on majestic-looking 20-inch AMG five-spoke wheels
with black accents, and it comes with exterior features such as a
panoramic sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, rear fog lamps, rain-sensing
windshield wipers, and heated power-folding side mirrors with an
auto-dimming capability. The cabin is home to standard amenities such as
heated and ventilated front seats with a massage feature, keyless entry
and ignition, a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a
Wi-Fi hotspot, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Bluetooth
connectivity. The list of standard driver-assistance equipment includes blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Peek
under the hood of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG S63, and you'll find a
twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine that provides 603 horsepower and
664 lb-ft of torque. The S65 steps things up with a turbocharged
6.0-liter V-12 good for a massive 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of
torque. Both models are governed by a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The S63 is offered solely with all-wheel drive, while the S65 is
rear-wheel drive only. Regardless of which of these two models you
choose, you'll be getting a very quick driving machine. In our tests,
the S63 coupe made the dash from zero to 60 mph in a scant 3.0 seconds. Though it has a more potent engine than the S63, the S65 sedan isn't quite as swift, completing the sprint in 3.9 seconds. That's slightly slower than the time logged by the V-12–powered BMW M760i, which finished the run
in 3.5 seconds. Both the S63 and S65 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.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The
EPA estimates that 2020 Mercedes-Benz S63 achieves fuel economy of up
to 17/27 mpg city/highway. That makes it more fuel-efficient than rivals
such as the V-8–powered Audi A8
at 15/23 mpg. With the 2020 S65, fuel economy comes in at 13/22 mpg.
That's a shade behind the mileage achieved by a rival such as the
V-12–powered BMW M760i at 13/20 mpg. We observed fuel economy of 18 mpg
with an S63 coupe.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Cabin
design is a soaring high point with both the S63 and S65. These cars
boast interiors that look opulent from every angle, with tasteful
styling and the finest materials. The front seats come with a massaging
feature that delivers a spa experience. Sedans come with rear-seat
legroom that's expansive enough to provide limousine-like comfort.
Effective insulation keeps things suitably muted within the cabin when
the car is in motion. With the S65, you get 12.3 cubic feet of room for
your luggage. That's less than the 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space
offered by the BMW M760i. The S63 sedan provides 18 cubic feet of cargo
space. Convertible and coupe variants provide 6.9 cubic feet and 10.4
cubic feet of cargo room, respectively.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The
S63's list of standard tech features is exhaustive. It includes a
13-speaker Burmester surround-sound stereo as well as Bluetooth phone
and streaming audio. SiriusXM satellite radio is standard, along with
wireless-device charging and navigation. All models come with a Wi-Fi
hotspot and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration. The
options list includes a rear-seat DVD player with wireless headsets.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The
2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 and S65 haven't received overall crash-test
ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, these
models come with a bevy of driver-assistance features, all of which are designed to help keep accidents at bay. Key safety features include:
- Standard blind-spot monitoring
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-keeping assistance and lane-departure warning
- Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Mercedes-Benz's S63 and S65 offer warranty protection that's on par with coverage offered by rival models from BMW and Audi.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance