2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Coupe: A DriveWays Review…

by Frank A. Aukofer

At first glance, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 63 S Coupe looks like a chubby fastback — something like a Kia Stinger or Audi A5 Sportback in need of laser liposuction.

But no. The porky look, like its extended proper name, identifies a high-performance luxury crossover sport utility vehicle that (gasp) carries an $87,110 price tag, including the shipping charge.

If that sounds deceptive, it is. This 5-foot-2 — no eyes of blue — is a rip-roaring rocket that can shoot to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds, without even breathing hard. Governed top speed is 155.

It’s part of a relatively new breed of luxury crossovers that give up some functionality for perceived style — basically by lopping off part of the roof and tailgate to change the squared off SUV profile to something that resembles a sleek fastback. Think BMW X6, as one of the originals.

Though it has four doors and a hatchback, Mercedes prefers to call the AMG GLE 63 S a coupe, even as the company works to remove at least seven slow-selling traditional two-door coupes and convertibles from the U.S. market.

At least as important as its shape from a sales standpoint is this machine’s guts. The AMG designation tells the tale: it means this stellar performer has been massaged by the Mercedes extra high-performance division.

In this rendering, the brute power comes from an AMG tuned 4.0-liter V8 engine with twin turbochargers — a so-called biturbo — that delivers 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission with manual-mode paddle shifters.

Lest anyone think that the AMG GLC 63 S is simply a powerful boulevardier, there are selectable driving modes that activate its range from Slippery through Individual, Comfortable, Sport, Sport Plus and Race. So, despite its crossover designation, it’s the sort of daily driver that wealthy owners can take on weekends to private, country-club racetracks like Monticello in New York State, where they can shred the tires to their hearts’ content.

Despite its arrest-inspiring power, the AMG GLC 63 S can function as your grand-aunt’s docile daily driver. Punch up the Normal driving mode and the throttle response softens for tootling around the suburban shopping malls.

As a daily driver, this Mercedes delivers functionality with its posh luxury. It has about the same interior space as a midsize sedan with 99 cubic feet of space for up to five passengers and 18 cubic feet of cargo space, which expands to 36 cubic feet if you drop the rear seatbacks — easy with the touch of a button. However, manually wrestling them back up is a bit of a chore.

The outboard back seats have plenty of head- and knee-room, and even the center-rear position has decent headroom, though the seat bottom is hard, and feet must be splayed beside a huge floor hump. The front seats are the place to settle, with giant seatback bolsters to grip your body in constant-radius racetrack sweepers.

For more routine entertainment, dial up the Sport, Sport Plus or Race settings and everything tightens up. The steering gets more responsive, and the transmission holds its breath until the engine rpms become unbearable, then it snaps off to the next gear.

Of course, if your preference is a weekend at the track, there also are settings within the settings to challenge your abilities: Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master. Among other things, they allow you to disconnect the traction control, which no novice driver should ever do but which can help an experienced racer to hustle around the track.

The GLC 63 S Coupe, no surprise, is uncommonly well endowed, with as much standard active and passive safety equipment as you can cram into a modern automobile, as well as a host of luxury features.

One that Mercedes should keep to itself is a couple of tiny touchpads — no more than a quarter-inch square — mounted on the steering wheel, which provide redundant controls for infotainment functions accessed from the center screen or touchpad.

They are located close to the steering wheel rim where your fingers and thumb rest if you use the recommended 9 and 3 o’clock hands position on the steering wheel. As often as not when you make a turn, a finger or thumb brushes one and changes a radio station or some other setting. It’s distracting and unnecessary.

Everything else is great.

Specifications

Model: 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Coupe four-door crossover sport utility vehicle.
Engine: 4.0-liter V8, bi-turbo; 503 hp, 516 lb-ft torque.
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic with manual-shift mode and 4Matic all-wheel drive.
Overall length: 15 feet 7 inches.
Height: 5 feet 2 inches.
EPA/SAE passenger/cargo volume: 99/18 cubic feet.
Weight: 4,548 pounds.
EPA city/highway/combined fuel consumption: 16/22/18 mpg. Premium fuel.
Base price, including destination charge: $85,095.
Price as tested: $87,110.