2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 Review: Bold But Beholden to Its Genetics

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance’s foibles come down to the hand it was dealt from C-Series production, much in the same way we’re all beholden to our genetics, no matter how many miles we run or diets we do.

Still, the new C63 is cute. Beefy and pert, the car is elongated with character lines and looks properly proportioned to be fun on the Autobahn as much as it is on California’s canyon roads.

Even with its modern aesthetic of AMG-ness at full tilt, the C63 design doesn’t really feel like it’s at full tilt. There’s attitude, charisma and boisterous charm all missing, something that competitor BMW models have in spades. The modern Mercedes is elegant, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but that doesn’t translate well here.

However, the Formula One engineering that has been translated from experience on the track into a compact car, is impressive. The car excels at propulsion, utilizing its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) power to efficiently propel the car, whether under hybrid power or exclusively using power from the car’s battery.

There’s up to 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque available to drivers from the car’s handcrafted, turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine (electric power assists the turbocharging, coming from a battery that can be charged via plug or utilizing wheel spin).

The car’s eight drive modes allocate the power differently, with only a pre-allocated percentage available on demand. But, there’s a way around that. Press through the natural rest point of the accelerator and the full power will come through.

The engine isn’t just relatively fuel efficient and powerful. AMG engineers have ensured that the power is allocated when needed allowing for gentle takeoff when asked for, or a robust thrust forward when required. The engine and transmission work in true harmony here, even at low and moderate speed.

Braking is strong and steering is precise. There’s a lot of engineering that’s gone into making it so, especially given the loud failings in this department from the traditional C-Class. It doesn’t beg to be driven through corners like the last-generation GT did, but, like the current-generation GT, it does so competently when pushed. That’s down to the rear axle steering and all-wheel drive, doing God’s work against those genetics.

Where the C63 gains points is in its comfort and spaciousness. These are parts of its C-Class heritage that are favorable. Updates have made the Mercedes infotainment system’s navigation function better, but not great.

Admittedly, I’ve never been a fan of the centrally-located tablet-like infotainment touchscreen in the C-Class, but at least AMG hasn’t made it worse by adorning it with ridiculous trim or more reflective bits. It’s also angled toward the driver, which is good for glare, but looks somewhat silly in practice.

That said, I do appreciate the sculptural elements of the dashboard, which rises from the center console in a wings-like fashion. But, then the three vents sit above the screen muting the elegance factor.

I’ve said a lot about AMG’s steering wheel in past reviews so I won’t dive too deep into it here. Unlike the infotainment system, over the years it has not gotten better. I continue to hate the way its touch pads respond to even a passing glance of the fingertip (especially while turning) and the way drive modes are adjusted using knobs at the bottom of the center module, which makes them almost impossible to utilize while carving a canyon, the time when you’d probably be most likely to change drive mode.

If changing drive modes via the wheel isn’t your forte, you can change the mode utilizing a button near the infotainment screen, but that’s taking your hands off the wheel and eyes off the road at a critical time in the journey.

The C63 starts at $83,900 in the U.S. Buyers who want a car that’s far more aggressive (and slightly less comfortable) can opt for the similarly sized (but coupé) BMW M4 or all-electric i4 M50 and save about $10,000.

The story of the C63 isn’t that of the car as a whole, but rather its engine. This, its first application in a Mercedes passenger car, spells out the future of AMG. With the right vehicle surrounding it, the package could be a true thrill to drive.

That said, this isn’t it. It’s not suffering from a case of putting lipstick on a pig, but the 2024 C63 is only half of a package, the powertrain and steering. All isn’t lost for AMG. Given what’s in the batter’s box for Mercedes-Benz, AMG’s future product with this engine shines very bright.