2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Review: Hybrid Power, AMG Attitude

Published April 2026
2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Review: Hybrid Power, AMG Attitude
2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Review: Hybrid Power, AMG Attitude Close
Overall Rating
8.3/10
Exterior Design
8.5/10
Interior & Comfort
8.5/10
Performance & Driving Experience
8.5/10
Technology & Safety
8.5/10
Ownership & Practicality
8/10
Cost and Value for Money
7.5/10

A Dramatically Different Take on the AMG Performance Sedan

The Mercedes-AMG C63 S has entered a very different chapter. Where previous generations built their reputation on effortless V8 muscle and an unmistakable soundtrack, the latest C63 S E Performance takes a far more technical approach, pairing a hand-built 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and AMG’s performance hybrid system. The result is a sedan that is faster, more complex, and more advanced than any C63 before it. For Australian buyers, that change makes the current C63 S one of the most interesting prestige performance sedans on the market. It offers supercar-level straight-line pace, all-wheel-drive traction, and a premium cabin packed with AMG-specific technology. But it also moves the model away from the raw, old-school character that made earlier C63 variants so iconic.
2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Review: Hybrid Power, AMG Attitude
2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Review: Hybrid Power, AMG Attitude Close

Bold AMG Styling with a More Technical Identity

Exterior Design:

8.5/10

The latest C63 S Mercedes-Benz still looks every bit the high-performance flagship of the C-Class range. It wears a wider, more assertive stance than the regular sedan, with AMG-specific bodywork, the signature Panamericana grille, larger air intakes, and a stronger road presence overall. Mercedes-AMG also equips the car with adaptive suspension hardware and rear-axle steering, reinforcing that this is far more than a cosmetic upgrade.

Compared with older V8-powered versions, the design feels more modern and slightly more calculated, but it remains an undeniably aggressive sedan. Exterior highlights include:

  • AMG-specific front grille and bumper design
  • Wider body and more muscular proportions
  • Large alloy wheels and performance braking package
  • Rear diffuser and quad-exit exhaust styling
  • Rear-axle steering and AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension hardware
2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Review: Hybrid Power, AMG Attitude
2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Review: Hybrid Power, AMG Attitude Close

Premium Cabin with Clear AMG Focus

Interior & Comfort:

8.5/10

Inside, the C63 S blends the familiar luxury of the latest C-Class with a much sharper AMG personality. The cabin is dominated by digital displays, sporty trim finishes, sculpted seating, and AMG-specific controls that make it feel focused without becoming uncomfortable for everyday driving. Mercedes-Benz Australia highlights features such as AMG Performance seats, a performance steering wheel, head-up display, Burmester audio, and the brand’s latest infotainment architecture.

Interior features include:

  • AMG Performance front seats
  • Digital driver display with AMG performance menus
  • Large central infotainment screen
  • Head-up display
  • Burmester surround sound system
  • Premium trim and sports steering wheel

There is a strong sense of polish throughout the cabin, and as a daily performance car the C63 S remains impressively refined. It still feels special from behind the wheel, even if the hybrid-era personality is more clinical than theatrical.

Massive Speed from a Small-Capacity Hybrid Powertrain

Performance & Driving Experience:

8.5/10

This is where the current C63 S makes its biggest statement. Instead of the old twin-turbo V8, Mercedes-AMG now uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder combined with an electric motor as part of its E Performance setup. In Australian-market material, Mercedes-Benz quotes a 0–100km/h time of just 3.4 seconds, while also claiming combined fuel consumption as low as 6.9L/100km.

On paper, the numbers are extraordinary. The all-wheel-drive system delivers huge traction off the line, and the electric assistance adds immediate response that helps the car feel brutally quick in real-world driving. Standard rear-axle steering and adaptive damping also improve agility and stability, giving the C63 S a much broader dynamic range than earlier rear-drive generations.

Performance highlights include:

  • 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine
  • AMG E Performance hybrid assistance
  • 0–100km/h in 3.4 seconds
  • AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive
  • Rear-axle steering
  • Adaptive AMG suspension

Advanced Technology Backing Up Everyday Usability

Technology & Safety:

8.5/10

The C63 S is one of the most technology-heavy cars in its class. Along with its hybrid powertrain and AMG driving systems, it packs a long list of comfort, safety, and convenience features designed to make it usable beyond weekend performance driving. Mercedes-Benz Australia lists smartphone integration, digital radio, multiple driver displays, Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping Assist, and available DIGITAL LIGHT technology among its key features.

Key technology features include:

  • Smartphone integration
  • Digital driver display and AMG menus
  • Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
  • Active Lane Keeping Assist
  • Head-up display
  • DIGITAL LIGHT availability
  • Premium audio and connected services

Easier to Live With Than Its Reputation Suggests

Ownership & Practicality:

8/10

Despite its performance focus, the C63 S still works as a genuine everyday sedan. It offers four doors, a premium interior, a usable back seat, and the sort of refinement that makes commuting, long-distance touring, and city driving far less intimidating than in a dedicated sports car. Features such as all-wheel drive, adaptive damping, and a full suite of convenience tech only add to that usability.

Practicality highlights include:

  • Four-door sedan layout
  • Comfortable ride range thanks to adaptive suspension
  • Secure all-weather traction from 4MATIC+
  • Premium daily-driving refinement
  • More complex drivetrain than earlier C63 models

Premium Pricing for a Very Different Kind of C63

Cost & Value for Money:

7.5/10

Australian pricing reported by CarsGuide places the recent C63 S E Performance around the high-$100,000 range before on-road costs, depending on model year and specification, which keeps it firmly in prestige performance territory. That makes it a serious investment, particularly once optional equipment is added.

Value depends heavily on what a buyer wants from the badge. If the priority is cutting-edge AMG engineering, exceptional acceleration, everyday luxury, and a genuinely modern performance sedan, the latest C63 S has a lot to offer. But buyers chasing the drama and relative simplicity of the old V8 formula may find stronger emotional value in earlier AMG models or rival performance sedans.

Our Verdict

Overall Rating 8.3/10

The Mercedes-AMG C63 S is no longer the thunderous V8 hero that defined previous generations, but it remains a deeply impressive performance sedan. In many measurable ways, it is better than ever: quicker, more advanced, more efficient, and more usable in a wider range of Australian driving conditions.

For buyers who want a premium sedan with serious pace, advanced hybrid technology, and unmistakable AMG presence, the C63 S still stands as one of the most technically capable options in the segment.

If you’re considering a Mercedes-Benz C-Class 63 S or want to explore the vehicles currently available at MCT Motorsport, click here. Or speak with the team to secure a premium SUV suited to your lifestyle.

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