Car Review: AMG GLS 63 is big, powerful and opulent
Apr. 28—Not only does the new AMG SUV ooze elegance, but its enormous power will blow away most sports cars. As an extra bonus, the GLS 63 will fit in your garage, while rivals bump, scrape and otherwise mess with your door and opener.
In case you missed it, AMG is the performance brand of Mercedes-Benz. It makes 603 horsepower from its 4.0-liter V8 biturbo and hybrid assist, making this one of the quickest SUVs out there. At our test track, the GLS 63 reached the 60 mile-per-hour benchmark in 3.6 seconds — comparable with Chevy Corvette and electrics Porsche Taycan, BMW i4 M50 and Kia EV6. This is relative, since the AMG weighs in at three tons — nearly 1,000 pounds more.
The three-year-old AMG is lavished with performance modules including an automatic Speedshift with nine gears, active ride control suspension, dynamic engine mounts, electronic limited slip differential and a performance exhaust system. All this high-powered equipment contributes to a firm ride with rigid shifts that may not be for everyone. Our tester was equipped with 23-inch multi-spoke forged wheels ($4,650), boosting the sticker to $153,080.
It's fast and furious for sure, but if you want less firm and more comfort, consider the Mercedes brand of AMG with a starting price of $88,150. While it lacks the straight-line acceleration of the AMG, it does include the digital high-end screens and most of the comfort and technology features of its brethren for a lot less coin.
In its fourth production year, the AMG 63 gets a restyled grille, re-designed taillights and a larger front bumper with oversize air inlets. Brake calipers have been painted red for 2024.
More interior wood trims and added leather shades are now available, but there are bigger changes inside. Front seat passengers can select their favorite massage from full body to shoulders, back or legs, heated or not for a relaxing road trip or just to the corner grocery store. Second row occupants enjoy heated seats with multiple power adjustments while the third row offers comfort for smaller adults. The cargo space behind the front seats is just under 85 cubic feet, while 17.4 cubes are available with both seats upright. Second and third row seats are powered from the rear cargo area with toggle switches. Rivals offer more cargo.
Dual digital screens side by side provide engine vitals to the left and infotainment controls at center. Cabin controls can be adjusted by voice, touchscreen or from a center mounted roll bar. Below the screen are multiple tiny buttons, hard to see and, we found, difficult to adjust while driving.
Thanks to Ride Control suspension, there is little cabin noise and most road imperfections are smoothed, leaving a pleasant atmosphere for long trips. While larger wheels tend to impact ride quality, our 23-inch Michelin Pilot paws held the road firmly.
You've been to car washes where you need to close, adjust and set up before entering. No more. One-Touch Carwash mode folds the mirrors, closes the sunroof, raises the suspension to better clean wheels, shuts down rain-sensing wipers and rear wiper before entering the water-soaked brushes.
Large domestic rivals, including the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, offer more cargo room than the AMG provides, but if you have the budget, the GLS 63 provides superb ride quality, high tech, build quality and performance.
Contact independent automotive columnist Len Ingrassia at editor@ptd.net.
