2025 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class AMG GLS 63

How does the AMG GLS 63 drive? The AMG GLS 63 proves it can deliver the sauce without sacrificing the luxury Mercedes is known for. It rips from zero to 60 mph in a mere 3.8 seconds and overshadows even the vaunted Cadillac Escalade-V, and it does so without any theatrical launch control or comically loud exhaust. Sheer speed aside, we found the engine stop-start function a bit too slow to start back up, and the low-end delivery of the power could stand to be smoother. It has 627 lb-ft of torque to play with, plus mild hybrid assist — low-end power delivery should be nothing but butter.

When it comes to stopping, casual or urgent, the braking in a AMG GLS 63 is as smooth and confident as it is robust. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S summer tires are effective at slowing and keeping this heavyweight glued to the road as well as possible. The GLS 63 is also more than capable of being hustled around a corner or two. The steering is more light and accurate than communicative and engaging, which again is not only perfectly adequate for this class of SUV but likely preferable.

How comfortable is the AMG GLS 63? The GLS' front seats are ultra-supportive and highly adjustable. You won't have any trouble staying comfortable even after many hours behind the wheel. While the heated seats work well, we found the ventilation function slow to cool. The climate control also has a bit of a steep learning curve if you're trying to manually fine-tune your settings. Once mastered, though, it quickly evens out cabin temperatures.

There's little intrusion from the outside world, with the exception of the AMG V8 exhaust, which is more music than noise. And despite the stiffer, more performance-oriented tuned nature of the AMG GLS 63's active suspension, the GLS' luxury ride quality remains mostly intact. Large wheels can hurt ride quality in many SUVs, but even our test vehicle's optional 23-inch wheels didn't have much ill effect.

How’s the interior? The GLS' interior is excellent from almost every perspective. The driving position is upright and commanding, but you always feel comfortably ensconced in the GLS. There's plenty of room in the first two rows, with decent but less cavernous accommodations in the easy-to-access third row. The large windows help all-around visibility and make passengers in the rear feel less claustrophobic, though chunky front pillars adorned with speakers can cut into the view out front.

The controls are all well placed and easy to reach, but there's a lot of them and the small text means you have to take your eyes off the road until you work up the muscle memory. Separating the seat controls between the door and the infotainment system is a bit frustrating too.

How’s the storage? With the seats down, the GLS' cargo area offers up to 84.7 cubic feet of cargo area behind the front seats. Space drops to 17.4 cubes with all the rows upright, which isn't enough to haul luggage for every passenger. Space is decent enough for the class, though the GLS trails the cavernous Navigator, which offers up to 103.3 cubic feet behind the front seats.

The second- and third-row seats fold flat and can be dropped with buttons in the hatch. Small-item storage is OK, with cupholders and decently sized bins spread throughout the cabin. The AMG GLS 63 is rated to tow 7,500 pounds when properly equipped, which is certainly sufficient for many small and medium-size trailers.

Is the AMG GLS 63 a good value? Mercedes-Benz SUVs are typically a paragon of luxury, meticulously crafted with the best materials that speak to their high-end nature. That quality, however, comes at a price, especially when we're talking about anything with an AMG badge. With a starting price that's nearly double the cost of the already impressive base GLS, it might seem hard to justify paying such a premium. But the AMG GLS 63 remains surprisingly competitive with its immediate rivals such as the Alpina XB7 and Cadillac Escalade-V, and of the three, it feels most worth the cost. Mercedes' warranty and roadside assistance coverage is about the only aspect that's just average among the competition.

The AMG GLS 63 embodies a subtle charm, opting for a more understated approach in the realm of AMG vehicles, and it aligns with the tastes of those who prefer a quieter statement. Though it delivers on quickness, it doesn't quite sweep you off your feet, especially compared to the thrill offered by many of the new electric SUVs on the market. The reality is that the base GLS 450 already offers considerable luxury for substantially less, making the leap to higher models like the AMG GLS 63 a question of want versus need.