2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe A Nearly 700-HP Bundle Of Joy

Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe is the type of gasoline-powered SUV that bridges the gap between past and future. It’s got a plug-in hybrid system, more horsepower than you’ll ever need, and a surprisingly decent price tag, if you don’t go crazy with the optional extras.
 

Does anybody remember when carmakers started going all-in on performance-oriented compact SUVs? It used to be that you’d only see the likes of the Cayenne Turbo, the X5 M and so on. In other words, bigger, flagship vehicles. But then, something changed.
 
Let me just come out and say it, it was Porsche. They launched the Macan in late 2013 and brought it to market the following year, with available variants such as the Macan S and Macan Turbo, the latter putting down 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, which would have gotten you to 60 mph in about 4.4 seconds via Launch Control and the optional Sport Chrono package.
 
Rivals such as Mercedes, BMW and Audi knew they had to react, lighting a fire for this otherwise sensible segment. Until those days, carmakers didn’t think people wanted to spend serious cash on compact SUVs, even premium ones. But sure enough, the compact segment went on to surpass all others, and the rest is history.
 
To be fair, before the Macan, it was the second-generation BMW X3 that showcased surprising performance in its class. It was the xDrive35i spec that impressed. It had “just” 300 horsepower but could get you to 60 mph in like 5.3 seconds – considerably faster than its Mercedes or Audi equivalent (the SQ5 didn’t come out until 2013 and the GLK 350 4MATIC was a brick).
 
So, think of the X3 xDrive35i as proof of concept. Porsche had all the data they needed to go ahead and build something smaller than the Cayenne.
 
Now, on both a personal and professional level, I’d have to say that I know the GLC brand very well, as I’ve reviewed several iterations of the first-generation model (standard and Coupe), under various means of propulsion, and covered hundreds of miles behind the wheel.
 
I’ve always found the GLC to be a fair and agreeable SUV, from all standpoints. It looks alright, in the sense that Mercedes actually played it quite safe when it comes to the design (more on that in a moment), and it drives nicely. It’s always been a well-balanced product to me, and things are no different with the second-generation car.
 

Design Evaluation
As I just said, I’ve always found the GLC very agreeable in the design department. Playing it safe isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, in today’s automotive landscape, it’s kind of refreshing. I mean, not that they’re all that comparable, but wouldn’t you rather be seen behind the wheel of a GLC than an EQE? Sometimes the “classics” are just better, and in AMG form, the GLC displays an understated confidence of sorts, looking very masculine – less “pretty” than any regular specification, in a good way.
 
It displays a lower, wider stance, without being too visually aggressive. It’s still plenty elegant, like a proper Mercedes should be.
 
I find myself struggling to identify with so many of these ultra-modern design languages, and in a way, I’m not sure why it’s such a struggle. I’ve always thought of myself as a futurist, literally obsessed with new designs, new possibilities. Yet, what I’ve been seeing in this industry for the past half decade or so has me feeling more and more nostalgic. Anyway, maybe I should stop venting and do my job, so here goes.
 
This being the Coupe variant, you get more distinctive styling to go with all that performance. In terms of coupe-style compact SUVs, I’ve always thought the GLC Coupe was better looking than its main rival, the BMW X4. The proportions have always been better, and the design more effortless, if you will. Same was true for the first-gen GLC Coupe, and the same goes for this latest one.
 
In flagship spec, there’s a heck of a lot to admire here. Our test car featured an Obsidian Black Metallic exterior ($750 option), thick 21” AMG boots, all the AMG styling bits, plus the AMG Night package which adds jet-black accents to an already mean-looking exterior. The front splitter trim, mirror housings, window surrounds, and rear valance trim are all finished in deep gloss black, and you also get black chrome tailpipes. It’s a whole production.
 
It’s safe to say that I’d take this over the equivalent BMW X4 M Competition any day of the week, not to mention the fact that the latter doesn’t hold a candle to this AMG in terms of performance, at least not on paper.
 
Personally, I might be tempted to take the regular GLC 63 over the Coupe, but that’s a whole different story.
 

Interior Assessment
I think Mercedes did just enough with the interior of the second-generation GLC to have it not feel too EQ-ish. In flagship AMG spec, this SUV displays a really nice cabin, with excellent materials and a sporty ambiance throughout.
 
The seats are extremely comfortable and very supportive, the Nappa leather and Microcut steering wheel is beautiful and a joy to grip, while everything else feels familiar, just like in most modern-day Mercedes products. The last Benz I drove was the latest E-Class, and this feels a lot like that, albeit a bit less elegant, which is normal.
 
Even in Coupe form, the GLC is a relatively roomy SUV, and you won’t struggle for either head or legroom (unless you’re sitting behind a tall driver), despite the sloping roofline. There is one caveat though. In a plug-in hybrid model like the GLC AMG 63 S E Performance, you get significantly less space in the trunk because of the plug-in hybrid system. Where a gasoline-powered GLC Coupe would offer you 19.2 cu.ft (545 liters) with the backseat in place, this AMG variant is only good for 13.7 cu.ft (390 liters).
 
Still, if you fold down the backseat, you open up 47.1 cu.ft (1,335 liters), which should be more than sufficient for most people.
 
In terms of specs, this came with the USB Plus package, heated front and rear seats, keyless go, the Easy-Pack tailgate, ambient lighting, carbon fiber AMG trim, Lane Change assist, DISTRONIC PLUS, a heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, a panoramic roof, a head-up display, and a great deal more optional extras and various packages. It’s a great spec, and that’s to be expected with this type of vehicle.
 
Overall, the interior of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe (we’ve got to do something about these long monikers) is both elegant and sporty. You could have a little more room if you opted for the regular GLC 63 over the Coupe, but style and practicality often clash. Also, not that it’s a good comparison, but the last car I drove was the all-new Macan Turbo Electric, and I found the interior of this GLC 63 Coupe way nicer, especially from a visual standpoint. It just feels more robust and luxurious.
 
Driving Take
I drove the new GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe in bumper-to-bumper traffic, regular city traffic, on the highway, plus a few backroads, and thus I’ve gotten to understand it fairly well. This is a relatively docile AMG product, but an AMG product, nonetheless. It’s not as feral as a quintessential AMG, something with a massive V8, but those days are slowly coming to an end anyway.
 
The powertrain combo is interesting to say the least. We’re dealing with a handcrafted 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo engine, working alongside a 150-kW rear axle electric motor, 6.1-kWh battery, and a nine-speed AMG automatic transmission. It’s putting down 671 horsepower and a maximum of 752 lb-ft (1,020 Nm) of torque and trust me when I say that it needs all that muscle to pull its weight around at an alarming rate.
 
This SUV weighs roughly 2.3 tons (4,600 lbs) because of its plug-in hybrid system, and on paper, that’s a lot. Yet, switch this bad boy into ‘Race’ mode, foot on the brake, floor the accelerator, release the brake, and it’ll launch you to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, which is proper quick for any type of sports utility vehicle. Scratch that, it’s quick for a supercar too. There are RWD versions of the Lamborghini Huracan that don’t get off the line this fast.
 
I was extremely impressed with this thing’s pulling power, not just to 60 mph, but over longer distances too. It’s fast at any speed, and while the battery shouldn’t be depleted when you attempt a hard launch, rest assured that you can charge it back up extremely quickly.
 
Another aspect I found impressive was the split personality. You can drive this car very easily at low speeds and it’s all very civilized. If you don’t put it in Race, Sport Plus or Sport mode, the GLC 63 S E Performance can be surprisingly docile – although the ride is still a bit too harsh overall, even in Comfort mode.
 
In terms of spirited driving, I found this fairly well balance, with minimal roll. Not quite as agile as say, a battery-electric sporty SUV like the Macan Turbo Electric, but still plenty fun to drive in all manners of ways.
 
Then there’s the soundtrack, which of course is pumped through the speakers because that turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 unit sounds nothing like a V8 in real life, and yet while inside the car (and with the car in either Sport Plus or Race mode), you could swear you’re driving a V8-powered AMG product.
 
All in all, this is an extremely well-balanced SUV. Both viciously fast and relatively docile when required. The only things I would improve are the dampers (although you lose some rigidity), and the turning radius, which isn’t exactly class-leading.
 

Everyday Living
Look, there’s not much to say here. You can easily drive the AMG GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe on a daily basis without breaking a sweat. Your EV-only range is quite limited (about 7 miles), but then again this is a performance vehicle, so let’s not lose sight of that.
 
I also wouldn’t put much stock into whatever range you can muster on average, unless you’re trying to drive economically, which then defeats the purpose of owning an AMG-spec Mercedes-Benz, doesn’t it? Anyway, officially you’re looking at 36 MPGe in the city and 26 MPGe highway. My take is: just have fun with it.
 
As for how much this sporty SUV is going to cost you, well, believe it or not it’s somewhat reasonably priced at $91,450, but you can easily bump that up to about $120,000 with a lot of excellent optional extras.
 
Our test car had a starting price of €108,882 here in Romania, but with all these options added, the final number was €158,195 (taxes included). Still, U.S. buyers really should rejoice, because they can get it for a lot less, and by ticking only the boxes you truly need (you don’t need the Carbon Fiber package, or the Aero package), you can keep the final number down to roughly $100k.
 
Test Drive Roundup
The 2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance Coupe is a wonderful product. It looks good, it’s extremely fast, and it’s not unreasonably expensive, all things considered – although it’s cheaper in some markets than others.
 
Like I said earlier, I’d have it over the equivalent BMW X4 M Competition, and over several battery-electric SUVs too, even though I’m not as high on plug-in hybrids as some other people in this industry. I mean, I’m genuinely impressed with a lot of PHEVs, but overall, we’re dealing with a bit of a compromise in the long term.
 
Back on point, remember that Macan Turbo Electric I drove last month? I wouldn’t buy that either over the GLC 63 S E Performance, which by the way, I’d rather have in its more conventional SUV form, rather than as a Coupe. The regular, non-Coupe variant is even cheaper, with a starting MSRP of $86,050. Now that’s almost a bargain.
 
Pros
– Epic performance
– Great soundtrack
– Reasonable starting MSRP
 
Cons
– Firm ride
– Mediocre turn radius