You may have seen our reviews in recent weeks about the refreshed 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS SUVs, as well as the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 hybrid. But there’s one more step up the ladder, one that takes you well beyond the 530 horsepower offered in the non-AMG GLS 580 and GLE 580, each powered by the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. For many shoppers, that V8 (or the gutsy 3.0-liter straight-six) is all they need.
But in our third and final dispatch about these updated popular luxury SUVs, we reach the pinnacle: the 603-horsepower 4.0-liter BiTurbo V8 under the hood of the three-row 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 SUV and the two-row 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S coupe and SUV. There are AMG shoppers who really want the range-topping BiTurbo V8 and who won’t flinch at its six-figure sticker price, so the conversation about affordability is between you and your banker. We’ll try here to help you decide whether the AMG GLE 63 S is worth the $40,000 premium over the plug-in hybrid AMG GLE 53.
Base Trim Engine
4.0L V8 Mild Hybird
Base Trim Transmission
9-speed automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
603 HP @ 5,500 rpm
Base Trim Torque
627 lb.-ft. @ 2500 RPM
Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
15/20/17 MPG
Base Trim Battery Type
Lithium ion (Li-ion)
Pros & Cons
- AMG style really starts with GLE 63 S coupe
- Meaningful upgrades to 4.0L BiTurbo V8
- Fans of agility will lean toward AMG GLE 63 S
- GLS SUV is too big for a coupe version
- But horsepower and torque are unchanged
- Roomy AMG GLS 63 carries hefty price premium
Shoppers with big money can buy what they want, so Mercedes-AMG isn’t the only brand catering to this luxury/sport-leaning demographic. Competing with the GLE 63 S coupe and SUV are the BMW X6 and X5 M Competition, AudiRS Q8 Performance, and Porsche Cayenne Turbo coupe and SUV, while the boxier Range Rover Sport goes head-to-head with the GLE 63 S SUV.
And if you see no contradiction in a less-agile three-row luxury SUV with at least 600 horsepower (or close to it), well, you can cross-shop the AMG GLS with the BMW Alpina XB7 and X7 M60i, Cadillac Escalade-V, Audi SQ9, and long-wheelbase Range Rover SV. The AMG competes well with them all, but the Escalade-V tops the field with roominess.
First Drive events provide our initial impressions of a vehicle in a restricted environment under certain time constraints. Keep an eye on CarBuzz for our comprehensive Test Drive review which will follow soon.
Mechanical Upgrades Outweigh Cosmetic Changes
The cosmetic improvements to the 2027 AMG GLE 63 S (SUV gallery above) and GLS 63 are minor, as the sheetmetal carries over from 2026 in what amounts to the second refresh since the current-generation vehicles reached the US in 2020. But the front end has been completely redesigned, with a larger AMG-specific grille with more brightwork, along with enlarged air intakes for better cooling of the V8. The redesigned grille also ties together more neatly with the new tri-star LED headlamps for a flashy new light signature with a sharper view of the road ahead.
Beyond that, it’s truly difficult to see any other cosmetic changes, including at the rear, which carries over the twin tailpipes behind each rear wheel. When choosing rims, customers can opt up to 22-inchers for the GLE 63 S, including a new AMG forged cross-spoke wheel finished in Tech Gold. Stepping up to the GLS 63, two new sporty 23-inch wheel options are offered: a multi-spoke design or the distinctive five-spoke monoblock. And launch control is newly available as part of the Dynamic Select modes. Also, GLS is standard with six seats, or optional with a second-row bench, to accommodate seven occupants.
Powertrain: 2027 Brings ‘Future Proof’ V8
Strengths
Weaknesses
- 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds in 2027 AMG GLE 63
- Lots of V8 tech changes to improve efficiency
- Stellar performance in every drive mode
- Previous model was only 0.1 seconds slower
- Integrated starter generator loses significant torque
- GLE gets a potent AMG I-6 hybrid; GLS should, too
2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4Matic+ Mystic BlueMercedes-AMG
On paper, it might be a stretch for Mercedes-AMG to call the M177 EVO 4.0-liter BiTurbo V8 “comprehensively revised,” given the 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque have gone unchanged for six years. And yet the German automaker cites a new flat-plane crankshaft, modified intake camshaft, optimized fuel-injection system, redesigned intake and exhaust ports, and improvements to the compressor wheel and turbocharger housing – all intended to heighten throttle response and power delivery while increasing efficiency. EPA fuel economy numbers are not yet available, but the 2026 AMG GLE 63 S coupe and SUV and GLS 63 SUV were rated at 17 miles per gallon in combined driving.
New exhaust aftertreatment includes a particulate filter that will be fitted standard worldwide to meet the latest, most stringent emissions standards – which means outside the US, now that the Trump administration has significantly rolled them back. Mercedes declares that all these changes to the V8 – at a time when most governments are frowning on the hefty gas guzzlers – make “this iconic engine future-proof.” Until other stricter regulations surface, Mercedes claims the high-output M177 EVO V8 has “secured its presence in our portfolio for the long term.”
Despite Lost ISG Torque, BiTurbo V8 Gains Much More
2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S SUV Ireland Mid GreenMercedes-AMG
The nine-speed automatic transmission carries over for both the AMG GLE and GLS 63, as does the 48-volt electrical system powering the all-new integrated starter generator as part of the mild-hybrid stop/start system. The ISG can add up to 23 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque at low engine speeds, while recuperating energy during braking. True, the new ISG adds 2 horsepower over the previous system, but it also loses a meaningful 33 pound-feet of torque. That doesn’t sound like a very good trade. There’s one other modest powertrain upgrade: The tweaked BiTurbo V8 reaches its peak 603 hp at 5,500 rpm, which is 250 rpm sooner than in the previous AMG V8s. Will even gearheads notice?
2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS and GLE 63
GLE 63 S Coupe and SUV
GLS 63 SUV
Engine
4.0-liter BiTurbo V8 (M177 EVO) with mild-hybrid ISG
Transmission
9-speed automatic
Drivetrain
4Matic AWD with fully variable torque distribution
Power
603 hp @ 5,500 – 6,100 rpm
Torque
627 lb-ft @ 2,500 – 4,500 rpm
0-60
3.6 seconds
3.9 seconds
Top Speed
174 mph (electronically limited)
Put this all together, and you still end up with a V8 that is incredibly smooth, confident, and seemingly always ready for more; it’s not sluggish at all near the red line. The AMG calibration team did a great job making this engine responsive without being twitchy while accommodating curb weights that start at 5,533 pounds in the GLE 63 S coupe. This engine is very refined in between gears, and it doesn’t seem to matter which Dynamic Select mode you’re in. Cruise the highway in Comfort mode for quietness, lighter steering, and a billowy road feel, or click on up to Sport for firmness, more road feel, faster shifting, and a more emotive exhaust note, while remaining agreeable for daily driving. Take the ultimate step to Sport+ if you enjoy burbles of back pressure and the firmest of settings for the standard AMG Ride Control+ air suspension with adaptive damping. Trail and Slippery modes could come in handy.
Interior: Driving Isn’t Just About Driving Anymore
Strengths
Weaknesses
- Interior stays true to Mercedes styling language
- Three screens leave no one wanting for information
- Multicontour, ventilated, massaging seats in two rows
- S-Class interior upgrade is much more comprehensive
- Dashboard with three screens can be a bit much
- The pillowy head restraints are too big for front seats
As we mentioned with the other GLE and GLS models we reviewed, the cabin largely carries over Mercedes-Benz’s interior design language. That’s not a bad thing, but customers spending this much money may have been expecting a more aggressively redesigned next-generation interior, like that of the extensively updated S-Class sedan. That will have to wait, which suggests customers have been voicing few complaints about the existing family of interiors. Besides, cosmetic changes inside can cost a fair amount of money, while many tech-oriented improvements can be uploaded over the air, at lower cost.
2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4Matic+ Mystic BlueMercedes-AMG
In these high-output performance SUVs, the interior team must balance elegant ambience with sportiness, and they generally succeed by keeping the latest upgrades simple, seemingly emphasizing dynamic driving over frilly decor. The latest AMG Performance steering wheel feels substantial yet fits neatly in both palms, available in Nappa leather, new microfiber, and various combinations of the two, along with carbon-fiber accents. It doesn’t take long to sort out the steering wheel controls, especially the standard AMG drive dials that put every mode and every drive effect at your fingertips.
While the safe and most popular choice is for the black interior, come on, live a little and try Nappa leather in Macchiato Beige, Beech Brown, and Red Pepper, or pay a little extra for the exclusive MANUFAKTUR Yacht Blue, Tartufo Brown, or Carmine Red Nappa leather. The microfiber headliner comes standard, but you can further spice up your AMG GLE or GLS with carbon-fiber trim. On the infotainment front, the front-seat passenger now gets a dedicated screen as part of the MBUX Superscreen, which means a digital gauge cluster plus two 12.3-inch screens stretching from A-pillar to A-pillar, under one sheet of glass. It all runs on the new MB.OS operating system with high resolution and brilliant colors. Driving isn’t just about driving anymore.
2027 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4Matic+ Mystic BlueMercedes-AMG
Verdict & Pricing: Does Smart Money Go With BiTurbo?
The BiTurbo V8 definitely represents the most important upgrade when considering a standard GLE or GLS, or ponying up for 603 AMG horses. If you’ve dreamt of owning this engine in a utilitarian people hauler and can afford it, well, godspeed and enjoy every minute behind the wheel. But while you’re at the Mercedes showroom, ask for a test drive of the 2027 AMG GLE 53 hybrid SUV or coupe, powered by an outstanding 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder in a plug-in hybrid that makes 577 total horsepower. Sadly, that hybrid isn’t offered in the larger 2027 GLS, so you’ll have to “settle” for the BiTurbo V8 if you need three rows.
But the smart money might go for the GLE 53 PHEV, starting at $98,450 for the SUV with destination, or add $1,000 for the coupe. The BiTurbo V8 in the same GLE SUV will set you back at least $138,550 with destination, while the GLE coupe with the same powertrain starts at $140,550. And if those three rows are crucial in your next V8-powered AMG SUV, prepare to spend at least $156,700. Either way, you should be happy with your choice. The 2027 AMG GLE and GLS 63 models are arriving at US showrooms before year’s end, and Mercedes assembles them in Alabama – good news for tariff watchers.
