Hybrid Family SUV Meets Tyre-Frying Performance
You don’t often hear the words “family-friendly” and “high-performance hybrid SUV” in the same breath—but Mercedes-AMG clearly didn’t get that memo. With the new GLC 63 S E Performance, they’ve managed to cram blistering performance into a sophisticated, spacious plug-in hybrid that can handle the school run just as easily as it can obliterate a back road. It’s the automotive equivalent of wearing a tuxedo to a boxing match, refined but ready to punch.
At a glance, this is still recognisably a GLC, but AMG’s fingerprints are all over it. The Panamericana grille, aggressive bumper design, and AMG-specific digital headlights give the front end a serious presence. Large 21-inch AMG wheels and subtle running boards add function to the flair, while the “E Performance” badging hints at the hybrid muscle underneath. Out back, the AMG-specific spoiler, quad trapezoid exhaust tips, dark chrome badging, and performance diffuser let you (and everyone you overtake) know this isn’t just a regular luxury SUV. Even the practical tailgate offers generous cargo space, albeit no spare wheel, which is a minor oddity for an otherwise versatile machine.
Step inside and you’re greeted by a cabin that combines classic Mercedes opulence with AMG aggression. The front seats are deeply sculpted, beautifully perforated, and come with heating, electronic thigh support, and the kinetic massage function—perfect for long-haul comfort or post-trackday relaxation. The AMG-branded integrated headrests are a visual and tactile delight.
Materials are top-shelf across the board, from the suede-and-leather-trimmed steering wheel to the soft-touch surfaces throughout. Rear-seat passengers enjoy ample space and the same level of fit and finish, though a large central tunnel does make it better suited for four than five.
The only real gripe? The gloss black plastics. They may look sleek in a showroom, but they’re fingerprint magnets and a bit too reflective in bright light.
MBUX remains one of the most feature-rich infotainment systems on the market. The central screen is a familiar sight to anyone who’s used modern Mercedes products, with slick animations, voice-activated controls, and widget-based customization. But in the 63 S, the system goes much deeper.
The dedicated AMG menus display everything from live torque distribution and energy flow to lap times and real-time battery status. You can cycle through various displays—classic, sport, track-inspired—and even customize the heads-up display. A dedicated “battery hold” mode allows you to preserve charge for later, though we found this functionality more confusing than it should be. On our drive, the car only reliably charged the battery when in Race mode.
The customisable drive modes—from Comfort to Sport+ and Race—can be accessed via the touchscreen or through the multifunction steering wheel, which also includes haptic controls for rapid toggling. It’s a lot to take in at first, but it’s a geek’s paradise once you get the hang of it.
Right—so about those 1,020 Nm of torque. Yes, you read that right. One-thousand and twenty. This PHEV combines a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder (on its own producing more power than some hot hatches) with an electric motor and a 6.1 kWh battery to deliver a total of 500 kW. That’s supercar territory—packaged into a luxury SUV.
Acceleration is brutally effective: 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The electric motor fills in any potential lag from the turbocharged engine, making throttle response instantaneous. It absolutely flies—and sounds the part too, with an aggressive, rasping soundtrack that belies its cylinder count. No, it’s not a V8, but you’re not going to miss the power.
Handling is sharp for a car this size, helped by rear-axle steering and the 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system that puts down all that torque cleanly. Even in Comfort mode, the suspension is firm—it’s an AMG, after all—but it never feels punishing. And once you flick into Sport+ or Race, the whole car tightens up like it’s ready to launch into orbit.
There are quirks. The PHEV system doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility as some rivals—we struggled to get the engine to charge/recharge the battery fully or hold charge (for long) outside of Race mode. That could be an us thing, a software thing, or just a convoluted menu system, but either way it detracts slightly from what is otherwise a technological tour de force.
The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance is as contradictory as it is brilliant. It’s a plug-in hybrid with fuel economy of 7.1L/100km, yet it’ll blow the doors off most sports cars. It’s a practical SUV with room for the family, yet it corners like it’s got no right to. It’s filled with so much tech, you might need a tutorial just to adjust the radio – thankfully it’s all pretty user-friendly.
But for those willing to climb the learning curve, this is one of the most compelling, well-rounded performance SUVs on the market today. It’s not a V8 bruiser like the AMGs of old—but it’s arguably better. Faster, greener, and just as ferocious. If you’ve been skeptical about electrified performance, the GLC 63 S might just convert you. In short: it’s a weapon—and we’re big fans.
