Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes S63 AMG 2014 review

Behind the wheel of storming 577bhp flagship Mercedes S63 AMG on British roads

Overall Auto Express rating

5.0

How we review cars
Find your Mercedes S-Class
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Mercedes S63 AMG is hard to beat as the ultimate expression of Mercedes luxury and performance. It feels better suited to high-speed cruising than tackling more demanding roads, but the incredible refinement and straight-line speed make it a stealthy alternative to cars like the Bentley Flying Spur. Although there are a few dynamic flaws, the flagship AMG is a mouth-watering ownership prospect – if you can afford it.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Mercedes S63 AMG is the pinnacle of the new Mercedes S-Class range, at least until the bonkers V12 S65 AMG arrives next year, and we’ve driven it here in the UK for the first time.

Mercedes S-Class review

• Mercedes S-Class S63 AMG saloon review

A few extravagant options have hiked the extravagant £119,565 starting price of the S63 in our pictures to an eye-popping £139,735. That’s Bentley Continental Flying Spur territory, let alone the price bracket of more traditional rivals like the Audi S8 and Jaguar XJR.

You get plenty of power for your money, though, with the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 577bhp and a towering 900Nm of torque. The result is a 0-62mph time of just 4.4 seconds and, with the £2,760 AMG Driver’s Pack fitted, a top speed of 186mph.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Sportage

2021 Kia

Sportage

22,368 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £22,138
View Sportage
Corolla

2022 Toyota

Corolla

64,566 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £15,000
View Corolla
Corsa Electric

2022 Vauxhall

Corsa Electric

28,334 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £12,000
View Corsa Electric
Crossland X

2020 Vauxhall

Crossland X

14,498 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £12,600
View Crossland X

However, despite the enormous firepower being sent to the rear wheels, the S63 doesn’t have the same knife-edged handling balance as its predecessor. Even on the wet and leaf-strewn country lanes we drove it on, it rarely struggled for grip. Combine this planted handling with a ride that absorbs even the worst holes in British roads, and you’re left with a feeling of near-effortless pace. Sometimes these fettled performance models can feel a little uncomfortable due to their larger wheels and firmer suspension, but Mercedes has managed to keep the excellent ride comfort of the standard car completely intact.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Still, this refinement does mean a slight reduction in driving involvement. The steering is light, with inconsistent weighting, while the seven-speed MCT gearbox feels old and slow to react to manual upshifts, often when you’re close to the red line.

It’s a bit disappointing that the 5.5-litre V8 doesn’t growl like you expect an AMG engine to – the noise is there, but it’s muted by this car’s excellent sound insulation. The other issue is the sheer size of the S63. It’s only available in LWB guise, being 5.4 metres long, so you’ll need a wide and open road to come close to exploring its limits.

Mercedes news and reviews

Despite the high price tag, the AMG S-Class doesn’t look too ostentatious. Apart from the 19-inch alloys and wider grilles over the air intakes, the styling is identical to the V6 diesel’s. Thankfully, not much has changed inside, either, with the beautifully crafted, class-leading cabin featuring a stylish IWC analogue clock set into the middle of the dash and a large AMG logo on the central armrest. The big digital screen that sits behind the steering wheel has unique AMG ‘dials’, and everything from the solid metal shift paddles to the seat controls oozes quality.

Passengers travelling in models with the £3,510 Executive Pack back seats will feel as if they’re on a first class flight, and you can imagine thousands of miles passing by in total comfort. However, you get the same serene experience in the S500 – and even the diesel-powered S350. No one needs an S63 AMG when lesser models in the range are just as good, although plenty of people will want one – and that includes us.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,137 off RRP*Used from £15,337
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £31,499
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,290
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £3,331 off RRP*Used from £10,195
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range
Leapmotor badge

Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range

The Stellantis-backed brand will launch a Volkswagen ID.3-rivalling small car with almost 20 per cent more range
News
23 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025