Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG 7-Seat 550-HP V8 SUV

Having to part ways with a fast, fun car in order to make way for a growing family is a conundrum that many gearheads face every year. Nothing hurts the heart more than waving goodbye to the fast car you’ve poured your heart and hundreds of man-hours into. Of course, parting ways with the hot rod for the good of the family is a noble thing to do, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way, at least not completely.
 

That’s because Mercedes-Benz may very well have the answer to your new family woes. Just over a decade ago, Mercedes-Benz was offering a large, three-row SUV that received a healthy dose of oomph from AMG, Merc’s famous tuning arm. The formidable SUV in question was called the Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG, specifically the 2015 model, and it was some way away from being just another three-row family hauler.
 
A Three-Row Bargain
As is the case with most luxury vehicles, especially those produced by Germany’s BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Audi; the Merc GL 63 AMG suffered from a steep level of depreciation, taking effect the moment any particular GL 63 left the new car dealer’s lot for the first time. This is bad news for first-time owners, as their brand-new financial asset’s value instantly decreases by a large margin. However, those of us who don’t mind buying used get to reap depreciation’s rewards.
 
When it comes to the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG specifically, it’s managed to lose $84,316 of its original value. In other words, the 2015 GL 63 AMG is worth just 19 percent of what it was valued at when it was new, and that doesn’t even take inflation into account, which much of the world has suffered through greatly, namely within the last five or so years. Putting the numbers into perspective this way really makes you think, not to mention it’ll instill a bit of pity for the original owners.
 

The 2015 GL 63 AMG boasts its used value for money in several places. For one thing, it’s a three-row SUV, meaning it can haul more people about than the humble 2025 Honda CR-V. Its twin-turbo powerplant boasts a horsepower output of 550, 360 more than the CR-V. The Merc’s tech and features also far surpass the ones seen in the Honda, as it boasts quite a bit of luxury-oriented kit that you can’t get in a base Honda.
 
Current Pricing
As we’ve already alluded to, the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG currently boasts an average used market sale price just shy of $20,000. For comparison, the 2025 Honda CR-V that we’re using as the basis for our comparison costs $30,100, over $10k more. In the table below, we’ll take a look at a more detailed outline of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG’s pricing. We’ll also include current used pricing for 2013 and 2014 models, just for good measure:
 
Specs & Features
At the heart of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz GL63 AMG’s performance prowess is its engine, a twin-turbocharged bomb produced by Merc and tuned by skilled boffins over at AMG. Its specific codename is “M157”, and it’s related to the Mercedes-Benz M278 V8. Its first assignment was to provide power for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG. One of the largest changes made to the M278 engine in order to create the M157 was an increase in displacement, as AMG bored the M278 over from 4.7 liters. The standard M278 mill was used in the Mercedes-Benz GL550 and GLS 500/550.
 

As for the rest of the big SUV, AMG’s influence didn’t just stop at its motor. Its transmission – an AMG-built seven-speed automatic – was tuned specifically for use within the GL 63 AMG. It boasted AMG’s Speedshift Plus technology, meaning it boasts a range of driving modes meant to offer drivers a much more dynamic driving experience, no matter the road surface. The GL 63 AMG’s air suspension was tuned and given the ability to automatically lower at high speed. Its exhaust system was revamped, and a set of AMG-exclusive 21-inch wheels were fitted that house a set of upgraded brakes.
 
The GL 63 AMG’s Successor
The Mercedes-Benz GL 63 AMG was only with us for three years, from 2013 to 2016. In order to help the GL class carry on the high-octane torch, Merc decided to let the big, V8-powered AMG-mobile live on in the GLS 63 AMG. The new model debuted in 2017, sporting the same M178 V8, although with an increased power output measuring in at 577 hp, 27 more than its older sibling. The seven-speed automatic transmission was replaced by Merc’s nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission.
 
If you’re on the fence about the GL 63 AMG because it’s getting on a bit in age, the GLS 63 AMG is a natural next step in your list-making process. These days, a 2017-model GLS 63 AMG carries an average used market price of approximately $26,799. While it’s roughly $7k more than a 2015 GL 63 AMG, it’s a bit newer, has more power, and a more robust transmission. Not to mention, the GL-Class went through a facelift following the 2016 model year, meaning the 2017 GLS 63 AMG is a bit more modern, too.