When 831 Horsepower Turns a Family Car Into a Rocket
Roseville, Calif.- This is not a vehicle that lends itself to being incognito. If driving the 2026 Mercedes GT 63, expect some serious gawkers.
Besides its appealing, aggressive exterior styling – long hood, wide stance, distinctive grille, integrated quad tailpipes – it has the charismatic Mercedes AMG growl that one can easily hear. AMG is the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz that’s characterized by powerful engines, enhanced driving dynamics and advanced engineering.
The GT 63 design elicits thoughts of powerful and dynamic performance. And those thoughts wouldn’t be wrong. Make no mistake, the GT 63 is one extremely performance-laden sedan (Mercedes calls it a four-door coupe), especially the SE Performance model driven here. We quickly discovered it’s as quick as practically any car on the road these days.
Dangerously fast
Tread lightly on the accelerator, because the SE Performance is dangerously fast, going 0-60 mph in an estimated 2.4 seconds with a top speed of 188 mph. Reportedly only one Tesla model is quicker. The Model S Plaid reportedly goes 0-60 mph in just under 2.0 seconds and can reach 200 mph.
The GT 63 SE has a rear-mounted electric motor that combines a handcrafted twin-turbocharged engine with a 4.1-liter, V8 that generates a monstrous 831 horsepower and 1,032 pound-feet of torque. It has standard all-wheel drive and the fuel economy is better than expected at 15-21 mpg.
The standard GT 63 engine is no slouch, either. It’s a handcrafted twin-turbo 4.0-liter, V8 that produces 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. It goes 0-60 mph in a brisk 3.3 seconds and the gas mileage matches the SE model at 15-21 mpg. The brand also has two other choices – GT43 and GT53 – that aren’t nearly as performance oriented.
Outrageous price
In addition to its incredible speed, the SE Performance is a plug-in hybrid that gets its juice from a 5.0-kWh battery. The hybrid adds 200 horsepower to the engine and a surge in torque that results in the rapid acceleration. Note the hybrid system is more for performance enhancement and in EV mode it only travels a paltry 8-9 miles.
The speed is outrageous and so is the price of the GT 63. It starts at approximately $158,400 for the standard model and the SE Performance trim climbs to around $200,600.
At those prices, one expects an excellent ride – and that’s exactly what the GT 63 delivers. It travels smoothly with nimble handling that is appreciated in all driving situations. Standard driver safety features include automatic high beams, parking sensors, active brake assist, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross-traffic alert, and more.
AT A GLANCE – 2026 MERCEDES GT 63
- Performance: twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter, V8, 577 horsepower; electric motor, twin turbo 4.1-liter, V8, 831 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 15-21 mpg (both engines)
- Price estimate: $158,400 to $200,600
- Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles; Drivetrain: 4 years/50,000 miles; Roadside Assistance: 4 years/50,000; Corrosion: 4 years/50,000
High-tech interior
As one expects with a luxury vehicle, the GT 63 offers numerous high-tech interior features, centered around its 11.9-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Personally, we’re not big fans of the console touchpad or the large array of options on the steering wheel – there’s too much to grasp. Fortunately one can utilize voice inputs.
Standard features include Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, 3-zone automatic climate control, heated front armrests, and LED ambient lighting. There’s also a high-performing 14-speaker Burmester stereo.
The front seats are extremely comfortable and offer great support. Both driver and passenger seating has power adjustments, memory and heating. We were surprised to see the amount of leg room in the two bucket rear seats. A three-passenger bench seating is available, but we imagine that would be a tight squeeze. The cargo area is 16 cubic feet that’s reduced to 12 cubes in the plug-in hybrid.
Offering astonishingly quick acceleration, the 2026 Mercedes GT 63 is nearly as good as it gets in that department. It’s a luxury vehicle that delivers in various areas, yet some folks may find the price tag too high.
