2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Review

　　

2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Review

byKurt NiebuhrSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT started out for the 2016 model year as a two-seat coupe but has since grown to include a convertible and a four-door sedan. It's a broad and somewhat confusing lineup given the different body styles, trim levels and engines, but ultimately all you need to know is that this is Mercedes' most sport-oriented model.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 43 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$212/mo  for AMG GT 43

　　AMG GT 43

　　43 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) (Most Popular) - $89,900 MSRP53 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Twincharger gas/electric mild hybrid 9A) - $99,950 MSRP63 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $140,600 MSRP2dr Coupe (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM) - $118,600 MSRP2dr Convertible (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM) - $130,700 MSRPC 2dr Coupe (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM) - $153,500 MSRPC 2dr Convertible (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM) - $165,100 MSRP63 S 4dr Sedan AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 9A) - $161,900 MSRPBlack Series 2dr Coupe (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7AM) - $325,000 MSRP

　　vs

　　$197/mo

　　Avg. Large Car

　　The sedan version blends the low-slung lines of a coupe with the practicality and comfort of a traditional four-door sedan. Even with its new-for-2021 AMG GT 43 trim, this sedan puts sporty driving at the forefront of the experience. Another addition for 2021 is Mercedes-Benz's newest MBUX infotainment system, which is something last year's model sorely missed.

　　Competition comes mainly from other German sedans with similar coupe-like styling. This lineup of fashionistas include the Audi S7 and RS 7, BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe and M8 Gran Coupe, and the Porsche Panamera. Which one will fit you best? Read our Expert Rating below to get our take on the AMG GT's greatest hits and misses.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the AMG GT drive? We tested the AMG GT 53. Mercedes' turbocharged inline-six engine is one of our favorites, and it feels right at home in the AMG GT sedan. Power comes on strong and linear above 3,000 rpm and is accompanied (in Sport mode) by an aggressive soundtrack of growls and pops. Our as-tested 0-60 mph sprint of 4.4 seconds is quick, but some rival supersedans are quicker.

　　Body roll is minimal, and the suspension is well controlled. The steering is precise and weighted perfectly for the car's character. Lots of grip and a sharp turn-in make the AMG GT 53 sedan feel sharp, though it can never really hide its size and mass. The AMG GT 53 sedan is capable on a winding road, but it's only rewarding up to a point.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the AMG GT? We expect a certain stiffness from an AMG-branded car, and that's apparent here. You get a ride quality that's more like a sports car's than a luxury sedan's. Still, it's not harsh, even in Sport mode. What is problematic is the excessive amount of noise when driving over bumps. In a car that's otherwise relatively quiet, even small imperfections in the road create intrusive levels of sound.

　　The front seats hold you in place in turns and support you where you need it. Overall, the balance between luxury and sport is excellent, and the seats are comfortable even after several hours behind the wheel. The seats from the optional Executive Rear Seat package are equally pleasant.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? There are a lot of buttons and redundancy in function. The overall layout is confusing to learn and distracting when you need to find something, though some shortcut buttons make life easier. Visibility also suffers because of the high dashboard, thick roof pillars, small mirrors and small rear window.

　　Getting in and out of the front seats is easy at least, especially since the front seat is relatively high off the ground for a sporty car. Rear-seat access is poor because of the tight foot opening and sloping roofline. It's particularly hard when you're parked in a narrow space. The rear seat suffers from a lack of headroom for taller adults.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The AMG GT sedan is now equipped with the well-liked and capable MBUX infotainment system. It's a welcome step up from the old COMAND system. Navigation is crisp and detailed and can even be had with an augmented reality view showing you arrows and street addresses over live video. Voice commands are also improved and allow for natural language prompts ("Hey, Mercedes, turn on the seat heater."). Sound quality from both the standard and optional Burmester audio systems is excellent.

　　Most of the driver aids work exceptionally well. The AMG GT's adaptive cruise control follows traffic naturally and is seldom tripped up by other vehicles changing lanes. With adaptive cruise on, the lane-keeping steering assist works unobtrusively to help you stay within your lane. But when the system is off, lane departure intervention is more jarring.

　　

Storage

6.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The trunk offers a large, flat load floor and a generous opening thanks to the power hatch. There is room for overnight bags for four. But the rear bumper is high and deep, so you'll have to lift items high and lean over to access most of the space.

　　Small-item storage is a weakness. The cupholders are deeply recessed, making short drinks difficult to access. Taller beverages still block controls, and any use of the cupholder obstructs the cellphone tray that's buried deep inside the console. The door pockets are wide but shallow, and the center armrest bins are only sufficient for storing cords and phones.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? At 21 mpg combined (19 city/24 highway), the AMG GT 53 sedan lags behind similar coupe-style luxury sedans with base engines. On our 115-mile mixed-driving evaluation route, our test car posted 20 mpg. However, our overall average in our time with the car fell below 18 mpg. This is a difficult vehicle to drive conservatively, and starting off with lower fuel efficiency relative to competitors doesn't help matters.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the AMG GT a good value? The AMG GT sedan's interior materials are impeccable. Nearly every surface is covered in premium trim. However, it's not the most modern-looking interior, and the profusion of buttons leaves an overall impression that it's a bit out-of-date. Also its performance places it a little behind rivals, and then there's the slightly claustrophobic rear seating. You can find a competitor that does almost everything better.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The engine might be the AMG GT 53's strongest suit, but the exact same engine can be had on the more affordable Mercedes E-Class and CLS. It's hard to find anything that the AMG GT sedan does better than competitors. It walks the line between luxury and sport well, but ask for more of each and you might be left wondering what exactly you paid so much money for.

　　

Which AMG GT does zzdcar recommend?

You're likely buying an AMG GT sedan for its style and performance, so you might as well go for the AMG GT 63. Its twin-turbocharged V8 power is the best match for the car's intended mission. You have many performance and personalization options you can add from there. Ones to strongly consider include the Acoustic Comfort package for increased noise suppression and the upgraded Burmester 3D audio system.

　　

2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT models

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is a coupe-style sedan with a hatchback-style trunk. It seats four and comes in four trim levels: AMG GT 43, AMG GT 53, AMG GT 63 and AMG GT 63 S. All-wheel drive is standard, as is a nine-speed automatic transmission. Highlighted standard features include:

　　AMG GT 43 and AMG GT 53

　　Identically equipped, these two trims differ only in their engine power offerings:

　　GT 43: turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (362 horsepower, 369 lb-ft) GT 53: upgraded six-cylinder engine (429 hp, 384 lb-ft) 19-inch wheels Adaptive sport suspension (can adjust to improve handling and ride comfort) LED headlights Sunroof Power-operated trunk Power-adjustable, heated front seats Simulated leather upholstery (MB-Tex)Technology features and driver aids include:

　　Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Wireless charging pad Customizable ambient interior lighting Configurable digital instrument panel 12.3-inch central touchscreen display with navigation Burmester surround-sound system Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)AMG GT 63

　　Steps up performance and luxury with:

　　Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (577 hp, 590 lb-ft) Performance exhaust system Upgraded brakes Adaptive air-ride sport suspension (can adjust the vehicle's ride height) Rear-wheel steering (enhances the AMG GT's steering responsiveness) Carbon-fiber front sport seats Ventilated front seats Full leather upholsteryAMG GT 63 S

　　The top-dog GT gets you all of the above, plus:

　　Upgraded V8 engine (630 hp, 664 lb-ft) Selectable rear-wheel-drive drift modeNotable bundled options for the AMG GT sedan include:

　　Executive Rear Seat package Split-folding rear seats Heated and cooled rear cupholders Tri-zone automatic climate control Rear wireless changing pad Household power outlet Rear USB ports Rear touchscreen display Driver Assistance package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Mercedes-Benz and the car in front and can also react to traffic signs and set speed) Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Acoustic Comfort package Increased noise-reducing cabin insulation Heat-reducing windows Stand-alone option highlights include:

　　Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the AMG GT sedan and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Multi-contour front seats with massage functions Power rear window sunshade Panoramic sunroof Soft-close doors (catch as they're being closed and gently pull shut) Heated steering wheel Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Premium Burmester 3D audio upgrade

　　

2021 AMG GT Highlights

Type: SedanCoupeConvertibleSedan

　　Trim: 43536363 S43

　　

Base MSRP	$89,900
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	22 MPG
Cost to Drive	$212/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.7 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles