The Ultimate German V8 Saloon: Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance

This weekend, I got to drive what might be the ultimate businessman—or mafia boss—car: the Mercedes AMG S 63 E Performance.

The S-Class has been Mercedes’ top luxury model for decades. The current W223 generation came out for the 2021 model year and was the first S-Class to use the MBUX infotainment system. We now see MBUX in almost every Mercedes, which is both good and bad. It helps the company maintain consistency, but it also takes away the S-Class's unique identity. Most people on the street can’t tell if a Mercedes driving by is a C-Class, E-Class, or S-Class anymore—the shapes look very similar, aside from length. And honestly, the newest MBUX system is complicated to use. I tried to change the fan speed, and it was way more complex than it should’ve been.

But the car does have some big positives. The powertrain—a mix of gas and electric—makes 791 horsepower. It’s quick off the line and easily fast enough to get you to any meeting on time. The interior materials are also top-notch: leather everywhere, diamond stitching, an Alcantara headliner, and tons of space in both the front and back.

There are a few downsides, though. Since it’s a hybrid, you don’t get the classic S-Class exhaust sound anymore. The haptic steering-wheel buttons also aren’t great—they make changing the screen or adjusting the music way harder than it needs to be. And the price is no joke. It starts around $188,000, but with options, you’re easily looking at $220,000. Plus, the depreciation is rough. You can lose 15–20% of the car’s value just by driving it off the lot.

Final thoughts: I prefer the S-Class's look to the BMW 7 Series. The materials, lighting, and comfort are all excellent. But between the price, the hybrid trade-offs, and the annoying tech, it’s a luxury sedan that looks amazing but isn’t perfect.