2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 63

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S Coupe isn’t a new model for Mercedes, but it did get a major upgrade in the new model year. Mercedes claimed it was the “fastest SUV around the Nurburgring” when it launched, but Audi now claims its RS Q8 is quicker by a full seven seconds. Still, the AMG did it in under eight minutes, which is bonkers for an SUV. This time comes courtesy of a handcrafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 making 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It’s not as powerful as the GLE 63 S with 603 horsepower, but we were hardly missing it on the way to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. Yowza, it’s fast. Since it’s an S, the top speed is 174 mph, as opposed to the 155 mph top speed of the non-S. Mercedes’ nine-speed multi-clutch transmission does the shifting, offering quicker response than a traditional torque converter automatic. Mercedes adopted the lightly refreshed 2020 GLC-Class Coupe styling in the full-on AMG model, and it also provided a big update to the tech. This car is running Mercedes’ newest MBUX infotainment system that debuted on the A-Class, a big improvement in speed and functionality over last year’s infotainment tech. This being the “Coupe” version of the GLC 63 S, it also features less than optimal rear headroom and cargo space. The frumpy rear end gets a little leaner and more chiseled with the revised styling for 2020, but it’s still a strange looking vehicle. That rear spoiler that juts out and into the driver’s line of sight is even stranger to behold on the outside. On top of the reduced functionality, a GLC 63 S Coupe is more expensive than its traditional counterpart, but it’s also the only way to get the more powerful and more capable S. Ours started at $85,095, but options like the $2,250 21-inch forged AMG wheels, $1,100 head-up display, $1,080 designo Cardinal red paint and plenty of others took it up to $96,425.  Assistant Editor, Zac Palmer: Sometimes a tall, high performance crossover is exactly what you want. That happened to be the case during my time with this coupe-like SUV. Michigan dumped 11 inches of snow on us early this year, and our GLC 63 S Coupe was shod with Pirelli Scorpion winter rubber. Perfect. As you might expect, it was an absolute riot. Mercedes lets you turn off stability control and slide around in circles for as long as you want. The 4Matic all-wheel drive system is happy to send huge power to the rear wheels whenever you ask for it, turning the SUV into something of a rally crossover. It's even playful with traction control off and stability control in sport mode. With the tall ride height and 503 horsepower waiting to be unleashed, this car laughed in the face of our winter storm. In most circumstances, this car doesn’t make a whole lot of sense with its limited utility and inferior-to-a-car handling. That changes when the weather …
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