You have to hand it to Mercedes-Benz. Some automakers, having produced a full-size, seven-seat SUV like the GLS 450, with 375 horsepower and 0-60 times of 5.9 seconds, might just consider their work done, and move on to a different vehicle to push the performance envelope further.
Instead, the Benz folk said however you say "¿Porque' no los dos?" auf Deutsch and called in their resident mad scientist division---AMG. The result? The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63.
Out goes the GLS' turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six and in comes a handcrafted 4.0-liter biturbo V8 with hybrid assist. That results in a 228-horsepower leap to 603, and that's before factoring in an additional 21 horses from hybrid assist. Torque surges from 369 lb-ft to 627 (plus another 184 when the hybrid assist kicks in). This is, simply put, brute force, catapulting three tons and 19 pounds to 60 from a standing start in 4.1 seconds, according to Mercedes' own estimate.
Comps? Sure. That's one-tenth of a second quicker 0-60 than a 2024 Ford Mustang GT. It's two-tenths slower than a BMW M2 six-speed or an automatic Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing.
Side note: Mercedes is known for conservative estimates. Car and Driver swears it got the one it tested to do 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, which would be three-tenths quicker than the M2 and the Blackwing, one-tenth quicker than the 2024 BMW X5 M Competition and the 2024 BMW X6 M Competition, and just a tenth of a second behind the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 Roadster.
And the GLS manages an EPA-estimated 16 miles per gallon combined city/highway. Again, C/D says it beat that---with 22 mpg on a 200-mile highway loop. I find that completely believable, because the last time I drove a GLS 63, four years ago, I saw 21.4 mpg on a 200-mile mix of city streets, urban freeways and mountain roads.
And that's just the beginning of the AMG performance pieces, which include an AMG Performance exhaust system, AMG electronic limited-slip differential, active dynamic engine mounts, the AMG DNYAMIC SELECT system, AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, AMG Active Ride Control suspension and an AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic transmission.
Even with all three rows of seating in place, there's 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space---better than the trunk in most large sedans. Push the two buttons that power-fold the third row (each seat folds independently) and you've got 48.7 cubic feet to work with. Need more? Push a second set of buttons to fold the second row flat and there's 84.7.
Third-row passengers get about as much legroom as the back seat of a compact sedan---34.6 inches.
Folks in the second row can stretch a bit further---with 41.9 inches of legroom.
The base price of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 is $147,000 including destination. That is exactly $60,000 more than the starting price of the 2024 GLS 450 I reviewed last November. But handcrafted biturbo V8s with 603 horsepower and hybrid assist cost money, as do the other AMG mods we've already mentioned.
Also standard at that price, keyless go with handsfree access, a 12.3-inch widescreen digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch center touchscreen, navigation, a Burmester surround sound audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus a trial subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Then there's a trial period of Mercedes me connected services, a panoramic sunroof, power-folding side mirrors, 64-color ambient lighting, heated and ventilated multicontour front seats with massage, five-zone climate control, soft-close doors, wireless device charging and a comprehensive suite of active safety features.
Our vehicle also had several extra-cost options. The MANUFAKTUR Cardinal Red Metallic paint is $1,750. The black exclusive Nappa leather with diamond stitching is $250, and the AMG carbon fiber trim adorning the interior is another $1,750.
The AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather and microfiber adds $500 to the tab, a bump up to 23-inch AMG multi-spoke forged wheels in matte black costs $5,150, and a dashcam is $200.
The Warmth and Comfort Package (heated front armrests and door panels, with a heated armrest in the rear) is $1,100 and the AMG Night Package (high-gloss black front splitter, front and rear apron trim strips, window trim, exterior mirror housing and roof rails, and the AMG exhaust system and twin tailipipes in black chrome) adds $750.
The second-row captain's chairs take seating capacity down from seven to six, but they're a no-cost option. And there's a $600 credit for a missing trailer hitch. Our tester was ordered for the press fleet before the U.S. standard equipment offering was finalized, and as a result was built without the trailer hitch. It'll be on any GLS 63 sold here, though.
Bottom line on our window sticker: $157,850. Without the credit for the missing trailer hitch: $158,450.
"Is it worth it?" is a question best left to those who actually have the finances to consider vehicles like this. But, drive it and you'll absolutely be thinking of get-rich-quick schemes to make it happen. If it were my $157,850, I'd skip the 23-inch wheels. The GLS 63's ride isn't too harsh, but it's right on the edge, and I think the standard 21s or even the upgraded 22s would fix that. It would also drop the price to $152,700.
Beyond that, though? Let's just say that over 27 years of writing about cars, I've driven more than 2,700. The manufacturers have never forgotten to come pick one up at the end of the week.
It would be more than fine if this was the one that got away...from them.
