Mercedes-AMG CLS 63 S 4MATIC Forgotten 600-HP 4-Door V8 Monster

Do you remember the days when Mercedes-AMG built some really “out-there” vehicles, back when the company turned out some glorious four-door sedans that wore their excess like a prominent badge of honor? Those were heady days indeed, when loud, brutally fast, and unapologetically thirsty machines roamed the land, and they seemed almost ready for anything.
 

If you can think back that far, you may remember that the 2016 Mercedes-AMG CLS63 S Model 4MATIC was a proud member of that club, and if you can find one today, you’ll get one of the more dramatic performance bargains in the modern used car market. Lucky buyers can find low-mileage examples for around the $50,000 mark, meaning an AMG V8 super-sedan that once cost six figures is now in attainable territory.
 
Why The CLS63 S Still Matters
When Mercedes launched the CLS63 S, it sat at the very top of the company’s performance hierarchy. It had all the visual drama associated with the company’s second-generation CLS Coupe but also had AMG’s most aggressive twin-turbo V8 and full-time all-wheel drive. It was no slouch in terms of straight-line pace and could embarrass contemporary sports cars, and when new, you’d pay around $108,000, depending on resources and equipment.
 
This CLS63 S is important today because it represents the end of an era, and the time before electrification came along to spoil things. This was a vehicle the company built before dual-clutch gearboxes really became the default and before AMG started to pivot toward smaller engines with electric assistance. Far away from that type of tampering, this car has AMG’s M157 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 which, in S-model trim, produced 577 hp and 590 lb.-ft of torque.
 
The CLS63 S also had AMG’s seven-speed Speedshift automatic transmission, sending power to all four wheels via the 4MATIC system. This setup handled the engine’s immense torque demands with ease rather than exhibiting a constant search for traction. Crucially, the engine also delivered peak torque at around 2,000 rpm, so the car was more than capable of holding up AMG’s effortless performance reputation from the 2010s. And even eight years later, those output figures genuinely impress.
 

Performance That Hasn’t Aged
Period testing suggests that the CLS63 S could reach 60 mph in between 3.4 and 3.6 seconds, placing it firmly in super-sedan territory. The company backed that performance up with genuine mechanical hardware rather than the type of trick launch-control calibration you might see today.
 
The car also had big brakes, adaptive suspension, and specific chassis tuning so it could deploy its power with full confidence. Also, the all-wheel-drive system gave the CLS63 S a big advantage in straight-line acceleration compared to rear-drive rivals from the same era. Still, fuel economy wasn’t politically correct by modern standards. You’d get 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, or 18 mpg combined according to EPA ratings, not meant for efficient movement, but to transport its occupants very quickly and comfortably instead.
 
This Four-Door Coupe Never Quite Fit In
Among the complicated Mercedes lineup, the CLS63 S had certain disadvantages. It occupied an unusual niche, sitting somewhere between the E-Class sedan and the larger S-Class. However, it had less rear-seat practicality than either of those choices and leaned heavily instead on a sweeping roofline with frameless doors that prioritized aesthetics over outright usability. Still, many buyers were willing to compromise in that area as they were getting a lot of presence and performance for their cash.
 
Used buyers today can certainly take advantage of the car’s relative obscurity when viewed alongside instant hits like the E63 or S63. This car still has comparable performance credentials, but it’s likely to trade hands for far less money than some mechanically similar and more popular AMG sedans. This all translates into an intriguing value proposition, and it’s now possible to get serious AMG performance without paying AMG halo prices.
 
The Cabin Still Feels Special
On board the CLS63 S, you’ll find some throwback Mercedes design language, from a time when luxury and performance had equal billing. The build quality is substantial, there are plenty of rich materials, and the overall environment is definitely upscale, commensurate with a flagship-level performance model. There are AMG-specific seats and steering wheels, along with purposeful, communicative instrumentation.
 
Of course, infotainment tech has come a long way since 2016, but even so, the interior of this car doesn’t feel obsolete in the way some early-2010s luxury cars can. The focus remains more on driving than digital distraction, and that aligns well with the car’s personality. And for purists, this was also a time when AMG interiors retained real physicality. There’s a satisfying weight to the controls and switchgear, and you can still feel some of that engineering emphasis over and above any digitization.
 

A $50,000 Reality Check
Market data shows that 2016 CLS63 S models trade across a broad range based on mileage and condition, but you’ll typically find cars hovering in the low- to mid-$40,000s, with top examples pushing over $60,000. In every case, the effects of depreciation are undeniable, as the CLS63 S has plummeted from a new price north of $100,000 to roughly half that figure in less than a decade.
 
That would have been painful for original owners, but it’s now very attractive for second or third buyers. More importantly, this car remains very relevant in performance terms, and unlike many older luxury cars, it doesn’t feel slow or dated. Its fall from favor is more about changing regulations and tastes than anything else.
 
Why The CLS63 S Got Left Behind
Much has changed in the automotive world, and modern AMG sedans now feature smaller displacement engines, electrification, and increasingly complex hybrid systems. They’re still impressive, but they deliver performance in very different ways and lack the raw character you’d get in a V8 like this. The CLS63 S arrived just before things really started to change, as the market shifted toward hyper-sedans like the Audi RS7 and high-end M5 BMWs. Those cars gained prominence quickly, and the CLS never quite gained the same spotlight, so a combination of changing priorities and timing explains why a car like this is now so accessible.
 
A Modern Classic In Waiting
There’s no sign that the CLS63 S will become a true collectible anytime soon, but it still has a secure place in AMG history. After all, it represents the peak of the company’s pre-hybrid V8 philosophy and priorities drama over outright practicality. That translates into a car with real character alongside serious capability, combining aggression, mechanical presence, and luxury in a way that few others do. And for about $50,000, the CLS 63 S certainly doesn’t need to justify itself against new performance sedans. There are plenty of features and figures that help it stand up for itself in a straight fight, but it’s a clear winner when you consider what it offers for the money. By that metric, it certainly stands out as one of the most compelling AMG bargains that you’re going to find.
 
The Attractive Value Proposition
The industry itself may have moved on before enthusiasts had the time to fully appreciate what this car was, but that level of oversight works in favor of buyers today if they want to look beyond badges and trends. So, with almost 600 hp, instant torque delivery, and all-wheel-drive traction, this proper V8 monster still delivers a thrilling driving experience. The CLS63 S is also a reminder of a time when Mercedes-AMG built cars with far fewer constraints, and at around $50,000, it’s absolutely within reach for many.