2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S Wagon Review

I don’t know what’s happened to me. I saw a picture of my review vehicle at the recent Texas Auto Writers Roundup and groveled until they let me be the first in the area to review it.

This is the 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S wagon. It makes absolutely no sense, no Benz dealership I know of will stock one (plan on ordering it), and in fact, everything about this wagon is insane. Yet, there is nothing I don’t love about it.

If you are not aware, AMG is the performance division of Mercedes, and has a storied history of taking great cars and turning them into great-performing luxury cars. They have been doing it since 1967. AMG products are the fastest and most expensive vehicles in the Mercedes lineup.

I can’t imagine years ago that anyone envisioned an AMG station wagon, but here we are.

Performance

Let’s talk about what’s under the hood, because it is what makes this wagon different. It has a 4.0-liter V8 Bi-turbo engine that is putting out an incredible 603-horses. Yes, I said 603. It also puts out 627-pound feet of torque. The engine is mated to a 9-speed shiftable transmission, and all E63 S wagons are all-wheel drive.

I want to stress the E63 has amazing power. It will take you from a dead stop to 60-miles per hour in just over three seconds. It has an incredible exhaust system, and handling and cornering are superb. It is a real driver’s machine and will fit whatever mood you are in.

Exterior

This wagon is attractive on the outside with a low, wide, and aggressive stance. There is a heavily vented grill with front spoiler, and also a rear spoiler that adds to the sleek looks. There are carbon fiber dual exhausts and this car has black 20” AMG wheels. You simply can’t miss the huge brake calipers that are extremely expensive.

Interior

When you open the large front door of the E53, you see a crafted interior that exudes pure luxury. The black interior draws you in as you sit in the ultra-comfortable, heavily-bolstered power seats. Offset stitching and carbon fiber runs from door to door and across the dash.

The gauges are easy to read and there are three different style choices to make the first of the two 12.3” screens look different. Between the 200-mile per hour speedometer and tachometer, there is a driver info center that operates from the AMG flat bottom, heated steering wheel.

There are a number of buttons on the carbon fiber center console, including the Dynamic Ride Control switch that takes you from Individual, to Comfort, to Sport and Sport plus, but wait!

There’s more! RACE MODE, my new favorite. It is hard to describe the drastic differences between these modes, especially in the steering and transmission shifting.

Also on the center console you can turn on the amazing performance exhaust, turn OFF the auto start/stop system, and lock out the transmission from shifting itself, forcing you to use the shift paddles.

Technology

There is a large round knob on the console that controls the Comand system, which runs everything on the 12.3” screen to the right.

Over the round knob is a touchpad that works in conjunction with the knob to scroll through all the systems; like the sound system, navigation, Bluetooth, apps, surround view camera, Apple CarPlay and Android auto, and controls for the car’s settings. There is a bit of a learning curve, but once you get it down, it becomes fine. Behind a door on the console is a wireless cell phone charger.

The Burmeister sound system is spectacular, and the speakers in the door are a work of art. The E63 has good headroom for all passengers.

Utility

The back seat is roomy and will easily hold three adults. Cargo area in the back is quite large, too.

Standard Features and Options

My E63 review wagon comes loaded with popular standard features like a panoramic power sunroof, keyless entry, collision prevention, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, a head-up display, and active parking assist.

Options total $29,000, the most notable are the $8950 high performance brakes, $2500 performance seats, the $1300 carbon fiber engine cover, $2950 for the exterior carbon fiber features, and the $2250 Driver Assistance package which is a suite of safety equipment.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is rated at 16 city and 23 highway, and maybe someone with a lighter foot can achieve that, but I cannot even get close.

Value

All this wonderfulness comes at a hefty price tag. Total MSRP is $138,750, but this is an engineering marvel, in spite of it being a station wagon.

Credit: Kevin McCauley