Overview
If you like the idea of blasting around in the Mercedes-AMG GT sports car but need a rear seat to justify dropping that kind of cash, allow us to suggest the 2022 GT sedan. It combines the performance and grin-inducing handling of the GT with a rear seat—your choice of a three-seat bench or two bucket seats—so that you can share your high-speed adventures with friends and family. The base powertrain delivers a robust 362-hp and the top-spec GT63 S comes with a twin-turbo V-8 that makes a whopping 630 hp. After you’ve left your mark on the race course or have finished tearing up your favorite local backroad, the GT sedan can almost emulate Mercedes’ other luxury cars thanks to an adjustable suspension with a comfort mode and a host of luxury-and-convenience features to pamper both driver and passengers.
What’s New for 2022?
Mercedes-AMG offers a broader lineup of personalization options for 2022 with more wheel choices, additional upholstery combinations, new interior trims, and more available exterior colors, including new Starling Blue and Cashmere White hues. They’ve retuned the suspension to both satisfy drivers looking for additional sport and those who are after more comfort. Speaking of comfort, the car’s rear bucket seats can now be swapped out for an optional bench.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Although there isn’t a dud in this family of fast four-door hatchbacks, the most potent GT63 S model delivers the comfort and practicality of a family-friendly hatchback sedan with the intense power and performance of a supercar. AMG cranks up its twin-turbocharged V-8 to 630 horsepower, which drops its zero-to-60 mph time to just 2.9 seconds according to our test data and adds larger 20-inch wheels and tires for additional grip. It’s also the only variant to feature a standard Drift Mode within its all-wheel-drive system. Just push the button, and the GT63 S becomes rear-wheel drive for more spirited track driving and high-school-style burnouts and power slides.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Under the hoods of both the GT43 and GT53 is a robust inline-six-cylinder engine that features a turbocharger, an intercooler, an electric supercharger, and a small electric motor. From a stop, the electric motor and supercharger fill in the brief lapse before the turbo is spinning out full boost. The 3.0-liter, which packs a combined 429 horsepower in the GT53, snaps necks whenever you touch the accelerator. In our testing the GT53, which features a conventional nine-speed automatic transmission, accelerated to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, and its sport-tuned suspension delivered flat, responsive cornering and sports-car levels of grip. We haven’t tested the new-for-2021 GT43, however. The GT63 and GT63 S are powered by a thunderous 4.0-liter V-8. The engine is a technological tour de force with dry-sump oiling, direct injection, and two turbochargers mounted in its V. It’s rated to produce 577 horsepower in the GT63, but it’s cranked up to 630 horsepower in the GT63 S. These models also get a dual-clutch nine-speed automatic transmission and air suspension. AMG says the GT63 hits 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, while in our testing, the GT63 S needed just 2.9 seconds. That’s as quick as a Porsche Panamera Turbo.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
With such extreme performance, it’s no surprise the Mercedes-AMG GT53 and GT63 are thirsty, but their EPA fuel-economy estimates aren’t as dire as you might expect. The GT53 model is rated 19/24 mpg city/highway. Those numbers drop to 15/20 mpg for the more powerful GT63 model with a V-8. For comparison, the Porsche Panamera Turbo, which is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 with 550 horsepower, is rated 18/25 mpg city/highway. The EPA hasn’t released fuel economy estimates for the new GT43 model. For more information about the GT’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
While much of the GT’s interior is shared with the other four-door coupe from Mercedes, the CLS, the large console between its seats appears to have been pulled from the GT sports car. It’s a bit intrusive but makes for a sporty cockpit feel. The interior design overall is futuristic and visually exciting, but some of its ergonomics can take some getting used to. This is also a four-seater, which may be an issue for some families. Aggressively bolstered sport seats are standard and comfortable, while a fat and flat-bottomed steering wheel, aluminum trim, and digital gauge cluster fit the sedan’s high-performance mission. Build quality is exceptional, and the materials are in line with AMG’s pricing. This is a hatchback, and the GT coupe’s rear seats do fold down to increase cargo space. With its rear seats in use, there’s 12.7 cubic feet of space. That’s plenty for most, but the Porsche Panamera offers more.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Unfortunately, the AMG’s infotainment system, while impressively capable, is complicated and can be frustrating to use. On the upside, its 12.3-inch screen is massive, and Apple CarPlay integration is standard along with wireless phone charging and navigation. Onboard Wi-Fi is available along with a rear-seat central touchscreen display. The front-seat area features three USB ports, and there are two more in the back.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Mercedes packs the AMG GT43, GT53, GT63, and GT63 S with active safety-tech systems and driver aids. Standard systems include automatic high-beams, parking sensors, Mercedes Pre-Safe system, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The list of optional systems is even longer and includes active lane-keeping assist, active steering assist, active emergency-stop assist, and active distance-assist radar cruise control. For more information about the GT’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
With a four-year or 50,000 mile warranty, the Mercedes-AMG GT four-door gets the same standard coverage as every other Mercedes car and SUV. It matches the warranty duration of the Porsche Panamera and BMW 8-series models; however, BMW includes complimentary scheduled maintenance, while Mercedes does not.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
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