Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S (2025) Review
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S benefits from the same complex 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol plug-in hybrid powertrain as the C63 S E Performance, but does the apex executive SUV’s outrageous performance offset the lack of a soulful V8?
We like: Ballistic straight-line performance, macho looks, outrageous grip levels, plenty of gadgets.
We don’t like: Pricey, general ride quality on the stiff side.
FAST FACTS
- Model: Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S
- Price: R2 772 593 (March 2025)
- Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol with electric assist
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Power/Torque: 500 kW/1 020 Nm
- 0-100 kph: 3.5 sec (claimed)
- Claimed fuel consumption: 7.5 L/100 km combined / 11 L/100 km with hybrid battery discharged
- Luggage capacity: 470-1 530 litres
Serious about buying/selling?
Some dealerships regularly offer great deals. See our New Car Specials!
Looking to sell your car? Sell it on Cars.co.za for free
Where does the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S fit in?

Perched atop the GLC hierarchy is the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S, the most powerful and fastest variant in the Three-pointed Star’s executive SUV line-up.
However, the GLC 63 S isn’t a total outlier in the range: if you want a performance-oriented GLC and your budget can’t reach the ‘63, the GLC 43 variant offers a little less performance, but is R750k cheaper.
Identifying rivals for this performance SUV is tricky. BMW has yet to confirm whether it will produce an X3 M Competition version of the 2024/25 Cars.co.za Awards category-winning G45-series model and the most potent variant in its current line-up – the M50 – is not in the same league as the GLC 63 S. Having said that, a BMW M3 Touring presents an interesting (and practical) left-field alternative.
The long-serving Audi SQ5 is very quick, but again, the ‘Benz is simply on another level in terms of performance – and asking price. Porsche’s Macan GTS is not quite fast enough to hold a candle to the GLC63 S either and the latest iteration of Macan will be an all-electric offering (at least initially).
Instead, we look to Italy, where Alfa Romeo shoved a 2.9-litre biturbo V6 petrol engine into the Stelvio to create the sensational Quadrifoglio Q4. It’s not the freshest offering on the market, but still one of the most complete performance SUVs we’ve driven.
Compare specs of Mercedes-AMG GLC 63, Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio and BMW M3 Touring
How the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S fares in terms of…
Performance and Efficiency
Like its Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance sedan sibling, the GLC 63 S has ditched its predecessor’s iconic 4.0-litre biturbo V8 petrol engine in favour of a sophisticated 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol plug-in hybrid with electric boost. The on-paper numbers are simply staggering; 500 kW and 1 020 Nm. As a reminder, its predecessor mustered “only” 375 kW and 700 Nm.

How did ‘Benz’s Affalterbach-based division conjure those lofty outputs when the GLC 63 S’ engine has only half the capacity and number of cylinders that its predecessor did?
The answer is 2-fold: The M139 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol motor serves in various Mercedes-AMG products, such as the A45 S, SL43 and so on. With peak outputs of 310 kW and 545 Nm, this powertrain remains the most powerful 2.0-litre engine in series production in the world.

What’s more, the introduction of a rear-mounted electric motor and hybrid battery, which can be recharged by AC (home outlet) or DC (charging station), adds 150 kW and 440 Nm to the package. For context, those outputs are comparable with what a contemporary Volkswagen Polo GTI produces…
Before 4- and 6-cylinder motors became common in Mercedes-AMG’s line-up, the V8 was almost always its go-to powerplant. Super- or turbocharged, with 4.0-, 4.7-, 5.5-, or 6.2-litre capacities, those 8-cylinder motors produced voluminous, guttural soundtracks that enthusiasts simply adored.
Instead of a sonorous V8, the GLC63 S has an electrified powertrain, which sounds rather uninspired. Sure, the speakers synthesise a “roar” and the exhausts emit terrific backfires on each ‘shift, but it’s nowhere near as stirring and characterful as before. Dare we say it, this ‘Benz has a generic soundtrack. Hopefully, its performance will befit an AMG badge…

It sure does. With a claimed 0-100 kph time of 3.5 sec, the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S’ sprinting ability eclipses that of its predecessor (as expected), but extracting the ultimate performance out of the Three-pointed Star’s apex Executive SUV is a laborious, time-consuming process. Yes, you can simply rotate the drive-mode selector to Race and then flatten the accelerator pedal; irrespective of which gear it is in, the ‘Benz will deliver instantaneous, lag-free and, in a word, explosive power…

However, because an electric motor and hybrid battery are integral to the ‘Benz’s power unit, you also need to dive into the SUV’s settings to ensure that everything is “dialled up to 10”, so to speak.
First, you must ensure that the hybrid battery is sufficiently charged. It’s best to charge it up before setting out on a performance run, but you can also just let the 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine serve as a generator. After that, you need to select Boost mode so the electric hardware can unleash maximum power when the Race Start function is activated.

According to our test equipment, the GLC 63 S catapulted to 100 kph from a standstill in 3.52 sec, which was oh-so-close to Mercedes-AMG’s claimed time. It was a satisfactory result, but based on our recent experience with other contemporary AMG models, the Affalterbach-based division’s performance claims tend to be conservative; we think the GLC 63 S could have gone even quicker!

Many variables can affect the outcomes of performance testing; ambient temperature, tyre pressure and -wear level, fuel load and even wind direction can cost a few 10ths of a second on a 0-100 kph run. Cape Town was in the middle of a heatwave when we tested the GLC 63 S and, while we strive to the test early in the morning, a temperature of around 25°C (by 8 am) was not ideal for the high-performance engine.
Our data also showed that the ‘Benz experienced wheelspin when it shifted from 2nd to 3rd gear, which also cost time. In perfect conditions, it may have been capable of setting a time of around 3.45 sec.

It may not sound like a symphony, but this potent powertrain delivers impressive efficiency. Yes, 13.7 L/100 km does not sound all that impressive (the official claim is 11 L/100 km), until you consider that this Teutonic SUV has a kerb weight of about 2.3 tonnes. Its predecessor, which had a biturbo 4.0-litre V8 and was lighter, was known to return figures in the high teens.
Ride and Handling
There’s no doubt that the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S is fiendishly quick in a straight line, but its ability to deliver full-bore acceleration runs is just a single page of a compelling book, so to speak.

To reiterate, the GLC 63 S is not lightweight and, when it comes to cornering capability, its heft (the hybrid power unit, especially the battery pack, adds weight) and raised centre of gravity (compared with a sedan or coupe) are certainly drawbacks. Yet, thanks to suspension trickery, rear-wheel steering, a superb braking system, a 51:49 weight distribution and “sticky” Michelin Pilot Sport rubber, the performance-oriented Executive SUV proved relatively nimble; it never struggled for grip.

The steering setup imparts a meaty and direct feel, with no vagueness and plenty of feedback; you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re piloting a slightly larger, more powerful version of the A45 S all-wheel-drive hatchback! We expect the majority of GLC 63 S buyers are unlikely to want a “hyper hatch” experience and will rarely drive the SUV at its limit/s, but it’s remarkably rewarding to pilot this vehicle in anger.
There is a downside, however. When the GLC 63 S operates in its most aggressive drive mode (Race), the SUV’s ride quality is decidedly stiff – as if you can feel every rut and crack in the road surface! Still, with Dynamic Select, you can customise the ‘Benz’s settings to your preference. If you’re in the mood to drive enthusiastically but would like to avoid a jarring ride over a bumpy stretch of blacktop, you can select the powertrain’s sportiest setting, but combine it with the suspension’s most comfortable one.

Thumping performance? Check, but what’s the GLC 63 S like to drive on the daily commute? The short answer is: pleasant. Switch that drive-mode dial back to Comfort and it’s as if the growly engine takes a nap; the electric motor does all or most of the work when pulling away and negotiating start-stop traffic.
The hybrid battery’s capacity is a meagre 6.1 kWh (by PHEV standards), which facilitates an EV-only range of only 14 km, which doesn’t sound like much, but it’s useful for powering mindless trips to the local mall. You can recharge it by plugging it in at home or a charging station, use the SUV’s engine to replenish the battery’s charge level and varying degrees of regenerative braking help to “top it up”.

The dual nature of the ‘Benz is astounding; on the one hand, it’s a restrained executive SUV that is quite content to trundle through traffic in electric or hybrid mode, but when you switch it to Race, it becomes, well, a feral beast. In its most docile setting, the GLC63 S’ transition from petrol to electric modes (and vice versa) was impressively smooth for such a technically complex – let alone beefed up – powertrain.
Practicality and Features

Through its combination of tech and luxury features, the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S’ cabin feels suitably expensive and is aesthetically pleasing, even if borders on blingy. It looks especially impressive at night, when the LED ambient lighting illuminates the ornate vents and reflects off the carbon-fibre dashboard. The AMG sports steering wheel, replete with animated jog wheels, is particularly pleasant to wield.
The standard (heated) AMG sports seats, complemented with red seatbelts, look racy, offer plenty of support and, thanks to electronic adjustment, can be set to a near-perfect driving position with ease. For the record, customers can upgrade those seats to even racier pews – matched with yellow seatbelts.

We’ve criticised the cabin build quality of some contemporary Mercedes-Benz models (including some of the Three-pointed Star’s higher-end products) in the recent past, but the flagship GLC features fewer cheaper-feeling materials at common touchpoints by comparison. And, importantly, elements such as the soft-touch dashboard and premium-feeling speaker surrounds feel as good as they look.

The cabin’s anchor point is the portrait-orientated touchscreen and, although it looks intimidatingly advanced, it’s one of the simpler infotainment systems to operate at the premium end of the market.
It’s great to see that core functionality, such as the climate control section, is permanently displayed at the bottom of the screen for ease of access. Sure, as before, there’s duplication and information overload. In how many ways can you display powertrain information? Mercedes-AMG: “Yes.”

Of course, being the high-performance GLC derivative, the 63 S offers telemetry and performance measuring apps, so that you can conduct performance tests and record lap times when you like.
Price and After-sales support
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S is priced from R2 772 593 (March 2025), which includes a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Our test unit was fitted with R217k worth of optional extras, including the Premium Plus Package (R112 400, which includes a heads-up display, additional MBUX functions, noise-insulating acoustic glass and so on), 21-inch AMG wheels (R24 400) and matte Manufaktur Magno Silver paint (R64 300), all of which pushed the total price up to almost R3 million.
Mercedes-AMG GLC Specs & Prices in South Africa
Find a new/used Mercedes-AMG GLC listed for sale on Cars.co.za
Verdict

It’s impossible to deny the outright performance capability of the GLC 63 S and Mercedes-AMG deserves to be commended for breaking the mould and implementing a “radical” downsized, hybridised powertrain in a headlining performance model. In a risk-averse motor industry, that was a ballsy move.
The ferocious straight-line acceleration and significant cornering ability of this hefty executive SUV almost beggar belief and we don’t doubt that those who fork out “the big bucks” to procure this ‘Benz will be satisfied with what it delivers. Yes, we all miss the evocative soundtrack of its V8-powered predecessor, but this new car beats it in every other metric.

But, after the lukewarm market reception to the C63 S E Performance sedan, time will tell whether this new-generation powertrain will be a sales success. Also, Mercedes-AMG fanatics will have heard the news (which broke in February 2025) that the Three-pointed Star confirmed it will develop an all-new electrified V8 engine for future models. While we’re not perturbed by the complexity- and are satisfied with the performance of this hybrid 4-cylinder, purists will be happy to see the return of a V8 lump.
Further Reading:
All the latest Mercedes-Benz news and reviews
Want to purchase a new or used Mercedes-Benz? Browse vehicles for sale