Most gearheads would have no problems admitting that they’d love to have hundreds of cars in their collection, though a lack of funds and space puts an end to these dreams for most. As a result, trying to find one or two cars that feature all the elements you want from a vehicle is usually the way to go. High-end performance SUVs are usually a go-to in this regard, but they lack the sleek design and flatter handling of a proper sports sedan.
If you want it all in one singular package, you really should consider a used Mercedes-AMG S63 from the 2010s.
An S63 AMG Will Make You Feel Special
2016 Mercedes-AMG S63 rear seats cabin shotMercedes-AMG
We reckon that if you desire a car that combines the comfort and versatility of a daily driver, but with the thrills of a sports car, one of the all-encompassing options is the W222 Mercedes-AMG S63. The vehicle was first introduced for the 2014 model year in the United States and was one of the highest-end vehicles from the prestigious Mercedes-Benz brand. The S-Class retained its position as the marque’s range-topping full-size luxury sedan, and the S63 sat below only the V12-powered S65 AMG in the pecking order.
Even if the sedan didn’t come with the very best toys as standard, it was still an opulent way to get around. While the usual refinements you’d find on most cars were included, such as a dual-zone climate control setup, the S63 went far beyond that. The sumptuous leather was of the best quality, and the seats it covered came with not only heating and cooling capabilities, but also a massage system that could mimic a hot-stone spa thanks to pneumatic chambers and the seat heaters built into the chairs. Beyond that, soothing ambient lighting and a high-end Burmeister surround-sound system helped occupants forget they were sitting in a sedan.
Other notable features included a powered rear sunshade, a neck-heating setup in the headrests, and a mix of wood and aluminum trim that further enhanced the S63’s sense of class. It was so luxurious that folks could forget about the commanding engine lurking beneath the hood until you jump on the throttle, of course.
Mercedes’ Ultra-Luxury Sedan Will Keep Up With A 911
2016 Mercedes-AMG S63 V8 engine topMercedes-AMG
Seeing as it comes with AMG badges dotted around the place, you’d expect the S63 to be pretty quick. Frankly, that would be underselling the experience. Lift the huge hood, and there’s a handcrafted twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8. The unit doesn’t just look the part either, as it pumps out a supercar-threatening 577 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Or in other words, the kind of grunt that can get this cruise liner on wheels moving like Usain Bolt being chased by a Bugatti Veyron.
When combined with Mercedes’ fantastic 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, which provides the traction needed to get this barge moving, the S63 AMG can blast past the 60 mph barrier in a blazing 3.9 seconds. For comparison, a 2026 Porsche 911 Carrera also does this run in 3.9 seconds.
The 2017-2020 S63 switched to a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that pushed the output to 603 hp and 664 lb-ft. It can hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. That’s despite the thing tipping the scales at just over 4,800 pounds. Plus, if you were brave enough, the S63 AMG came standard with a top speed limited to 186 mph in the US, allowing drivers to leave some very fast sports cars well behind.
Another primary ingredient in the S63’s eye-opening performance is its slick seven-speed automatic transmission. It ensures the car wafts along effortlessly when left in auto mode, thanks to its buttery-smooth gear changes, though it transforms into a proper performance unit when needed. With sport mode selected, the gearbox can grab the next gear in only 100 milliseconds, around the same time as the fastest blink you can ever manage. The later cars get a nine-speed unit, which is just as quick but offers greater efficiency by having an extra couple of gears to take advantage of.
It doesn’t sound the best due to the turbochargers sapping away a load of the noise and the car’s excellent noise-deadening keeping most of the sound out of the cockpit, but you’ll be left begging for more once you exercise that throttle pedal. You can’t always sit around being all relaxed, right?
The S63 AMG Can Perform When Things Get Twisty
Silver 2016 Mercedes-AMG S63 side shotMercedes-AMG
To that point, the S63 AMG can also be surprisingly agile through the bends. The machine came with a multilink suspension setup tweaked to provide a stiffer, flatter handling balance, which ensured the tires had an easier time keeping the S63’s heavy frame firmly in line through any corner. To assist, the car’s standard Airmatic air suspension was on hand to keep the car from rolling or pitching under hard driving. The setup is fully active, ensuring the car’s handling remains consistent no matter what you throw at it.
The 4Matic all-wheel drive provides the traction needed to prevent the rear wheels from spinning, while preserving the classic rear-focused balance that AMG models of old once provided. The system is set up to send up to 67% of the V8’s power to the rear wheels, meaning the sedan handles more like a rear-wheel drive performance car than an AWD one, which can sometimes feel a little safe and soulless.
The setup provides the best of both worlds by having a rear-biased handling balance when on power, with the front wheels helping pull you back in line should you get a little too throttle-happy. It can’t trouble a 911 through the corners due to its considerable mass, but it handles surprisingly well for what is essentially a V8-powered mansion.
This Rapid Luxury Sedan Is Surprisingly Affordable
Silver 2016 Mercedes-AMG S63 frontMercedes-AMG
Of course, reading this, you may be wondering how the heck you could even consider affording all of this luxury and pace. Well, thanks to depreciation, you can pick up a tidy used S63 AMG for less than the average price of a new car in the US. And comfortably so, as long as you opt for the less powerful version produced up to 2017. You can easily find a specimen with around 60,000 miles on the odometer with a $40,000 budget, which is amazing value considering the vehicle would have cost you over three times that just a decade ago.
The average value of the model is a little over $52,000, which gets you a low-mileage example of an earlier variant. And when we say low, we mean below 25,000 miles, which is barely even run in. That’s roughly the price of a brand-new C-Class, which starts at just below $50,000 before destination and options. The facelifted S63 would cost you closer to $60,000 in the same condition.
A used S63 AMG can provide plenty more luxury and excitement than a new C-Class, which costs about the same as an average W222 S63.
A Used S63 AMG Won’t Be Cheap To Run
Silver 2016 Mercedes-AMG S63 rear endMercedes-AMG
Be warned, though: even though they’re temptingly cheap, given the level of car we’re talking about, that doesn’t mean running it would be equally cheap. Firstly, expect to spend a ton of cash keeping the thing moving on the road, since that thirsty V8 can only deliver a combined 18 miles per gallon. The heavy beast also needs frequent servicing to ensure the engine and all the running gear are working as needed, with even minor services potentially costing upwards of $500, depending on the work needed.
By the same token, a major service that occurs every couple of years or every 20,000 miles can cost upwards of $1,500. The S-Class’s high-end gear, such as the Airmatic suspension and 4Matic AWD setup, would also cost thousands to fix if anything goes wrong. You also need to plan to replace the brakes, suspension, and tires more often, given the car’s weight. RepairPal reports that you’d likely have to put back around $1,581 per year to keep the car running as it should, illustrating the true cost of owning such a high-end luxury sedan.
By contrast, a more sensible Toyota RAV4 will cost you less than a third of that to maintain. If you’ve got the disposable income to keep up with the demanding S63 AMG, though, few cars could provide so many experiences in one tiny package. Plus, at least you have that tantalizing hot stone massage waiting for you to help relieve some of the stress its maintenance habits can put on you.
Sources: Mercedes-AMG, RepairPal.
