2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 53

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT Series is available in three different trims known as GT 43, GT 53, and GT 63. All of them get a separate review and that is why the Mercedes-AMG GT 53 is the only trim in consideration here for this review. It starts at an MSRP of $103,650 which is quite an expensive price tag. For that price, it does not bring you anything extra over the AMG GT 43 in terms of features. The only difference that you will notice is the difference in the power output from the engine. The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 gets a long list of standard features and it also comes with many advanced driver assistance technologies as a part of the standard package. 

Packages

Executive Rear Seat Package

• 40/40-split folding twin rear seats
• Heated and cooled rear cupholders
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Rear wireless changing pad
• Household-type power outlet
• Rear USB ports
• Rear touchscreen display

Warmth and Comfort Package

• Rapid heating front seats
• Heated front armrests and upper door panels
• Heated steering wheel

Driver Assistance Package

• Adaptive cruise control
• Evasive steering assistance
• Lane-keeping system
• Blind-spot intervention
• Lane departure mitigation
• Lane change assistance

Air Balance Package

• Air Balance cabin-air purification system
• Air Balance cabin fragrance system

AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package I

• Carbon-fiber exterior trim

AMG Exterior Carbon Fiber Package II

• Carbon-fiber side mirror covers
• Carbon-fiber fixed rear spoiler

AMG Dynamic Plus Package

• Yellow brake calipers
• Active engine mounts
• Race mode
• Drift mode

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The 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 is already quite an expensive sedan in its segment. You get multiple optional packages and standalone features to add to your comfort, appearance, or other aspect of the car. You can consider getting the Executive Rear Seat package if you are going to spend a lot of time in the rear seats. The Driver Assistance package also seems like a good option if you are ready to pay a premium to add to the safety and comfort while driving the car. 

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 comes with a 3-liter turbocharged inline-6 engine under its hood. The powertrain also gets assistance from a mild hybrid system. The engine produces a maximum power output of 429 horsepower and a peak torque of 384 lb-ft. The engine comes mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels. That is the only powertrain and drivetrain option you have with the GT 53 sedan. The AMG GT 53 is quite quick when it comes to acceleration and it takes only 4.1 seconds to complete the 0 to 60 mph sprint. The quarter-mile also takes less than 13 seconds which is an impressive figure for its size. You do not have to worry about more power from the engine as it feels quite responsive. Mercedes claims a top speed of 174 miles per hour for the AMG GT 53.

The Porsche Panamera 4S is the most expensive performance sedan in the competition. But you get performance that is well worth the price tag. The Panamera 4S is the quickest car to complete the 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. It also comes with the highest top speed in the competition. The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 comes next in terms of performance taking 4.1 seconds to complete the 0 to 60 mph. The Audi S7 also takes 4.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe will also surprise you with a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.1 seconds which is identical to the Merc and Audi.

2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 Ride and Handling

The AMG badge with a Mercedes means that you are going to get an exciting driving experience. The AMG lineup is known for its entertaining engines and athlete ride quality. The AMG GT 53 will not disappoint you in the first department but you can not say the same about the latter. The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 does not come with an athletic ride quality like some of its rivals. The handling is not bad and it is not like that you will not enjoy driving the car but you should not expect much driver engagement.

The steering wheel feels quite light for its size but it lacks the feel and feedback you want from a sports sedan. The suspension is tuned well and it handles the corners well but again you have to slow down as you do not get the same confidence from the steering wheel. Rivals like the BMW 8-Series and the Porsche Panamera get a lead in that department. The bad news continues to be the ride quality of the AMG GT 53. The suspension is on the stiffer side and even the smallest of road undulations will filter through the cabin.

2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 Braking Performance

The brakes of the Mercedes-AMG GT 53 are not the best part of the sedan either. It feels quite lacking when you consider it a sports sedan designed with performance in mind. It comes with 14.2 inches of brake rotors in the front wheels and you get the same size of brake rotors in the rear wheels too. The size of the brake rotors is not a problem but the feedback from the brake pedals is. It does not inspire good confidence when you are trying to stop the car in case of an emergency. The official stopping distance is not available for the 2023 AMG GT 53 but it falls behind most of its rivals in the real-world tests. 

The Mercedes-AMG GT comes with decently large brake calipers for the segment. But it lacks in the braking performance department and also does not give the best feedback from the brake pedals. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is the heaviest car in the competition. The size of the brake rotors is not available for the Bimmer and so is its official stopping distance. The Porsche Panamera 4S gets the best braking feel in the segment. It is also the quickest car to stop in the 60 to 0 mph braking test. The Audi S7 also comes with an impressive braking performance taking just a foot more than Panamera 4S to stop from the same speed.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 gets support from a mild hybrid sedan but that is not meant to improve its efficiency. Everything that Merc has done is to ensure that it delivers the best performance in the class. You do not expect exceptional fuel efficiency from a sports sedan with an AMG badge and it lives up to your expectations. It manages to return a fuel economy of 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg of combined fuel efficiency. These figures are not quite impressive but considering the segment, it is a respectable number. The AMG GT 53 comes with a maximum fuel tank capacity of 21.1 gallons. You can go for a maximum of 528 miles on the highway on a full tank without the need for a stop at the fuel station. 

It is very less likely that a small difference in fuel economy figures is going to change your choice here if you are buying a sports performance sedan but it is here for your reference. The Audi S7 returns the best fuel economy in the competition. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe gets the best fuel economy on the highway but it gets the smallest fuel tank capacity. The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 comes next in terms of efficiency and offers a decent driving range for the class. The Porsche Panamera 4S will return you the least economy but it gets the largest fuel tank capacity. That translates to the best highway driving range in the competition. 

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG GT 53 looks well worth its price. You get premium quality materials everywhere you touch and look. The doors get soft-touch materials with wood trim in between. The same dual-tone finish continues to the dashboard of the car. On the top, you get soft-touch materials while in the middle you get a nice and premium wood finish. Even the center console that houses all the controls and the gearbox gets the same wood finish. The seats use Alcantara and premium leather and have huge side bolsterings to hold you in place on the corners. The rear seats are quite spacious too and also offer you side bolsterings. But you sit with your knees up and it is not the most comfortable Mercedes out there for rear seat comfort. The cargo area is also quite limited for the class. 

The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 has not revealed the legroom available for the front and rear seat passengers. But based on the rear wold scenario, it has ample legroom for an adult to fit comfortably. But it does not offer the best comfort for sure. You also get the smallest cargo area with the Merc. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe offers decently spacious rear seats. It Bimmer gets the second smallest trunk in the competition. The Porsche Panamera offers a slightly larger trunk than the Bimmer. But if you want the most spacious cargo area, you will have to go for the Audi S7.

Standout interior features:

• 10-way adjustable front seats with memory settings
• Bucket front-facing rear seats
• Power tilt/telescopic steering wheel
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Cruise control
• Remote keyless entry

2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 Infotainment

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The display looks quite good and is nicely integrated into the dashboard of the car. It runs on the latest version of the MBUX infotainment interface and comes loaded with features. You can just call Hey Mercedes to activate the voice command that lets you control many features which makes it easier to give commands while driving. Although you will not complain about the features available with the infotainment system, it is not the easiest system to use. It takes a learning curve and can be quite frustrating to use while driving that car as it needs you to take attention off the road. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You also get a 14-speaker Burmester surround-sound system as standard with the car. 

Standout infotainment features:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display
• MBUX infotainment system
• In-built navigation system
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 14-speaker Burmester surround-sound system

The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 looks quite sophisticated from the outside. It does not try to scream for attention on the road and that’s the beauty. The front grille is unique to the AMG GT lineup with the Mercedes badge in the center and it also gets the AMG badge at the right. The LED headlights with LED daytime running lights blend nicely with the front fascia and you will notice a sharp line coming towards the grille to add to the sportiness. At the bottom, it gets fake vents and there are no functional vents on the front of the car. The side gets a beautiful multi-spoke wheel design. The brake calipers also get AMG badging on them. The side silhouette of the car looks just mesmerizing with such a low roofline. The rear gets LED taillights that nicely integrate with the tailgates and you also get quad exhaust pipes at the bottom. 

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe is the car to go for if you want the car with the longest stance. It is the longest car and also gets the longest wheelbase in the competition. The Porsche Panamera 4S is the widest car in the competition but it comes at the third position in terms of overall length and the wheelbase. The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 is the second-longest car in the competition and it gets just a slightly longer wheelbase than the Panamera 4S. The AMG GT 53 is also the tallest car compared to its rivals. On the other hand, it is the Audi S7 that comes out as the most compact car in the competition.

Standout exterior features:

• 19-inch wheels
• LED headlights with LED daytime running lights
• Express opening/closing sunroof
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Chrome grille
• Power spoiler

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 sedan is not a car that everyone can afford. Since it is not a car meant for the masses, it does not get tested by the agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Fortunately, German automakers are known for their high standards when it comes to safety. The AMG GT 53 also follows high safety standards. It is built using high-strength materials and Mercedes has one of the best automotive engineers in the world so they know how to ensure the safety of their passengers. It comes standard with plenty of advanced driver assistance technologies and you also have an optional package to add more.

Safety features include:

• Automated parking system
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Forward collision mitigation
• Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning
• Surround-view camera system
• Driver attention warning
• Adaptive headlights

2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 vs. 2023 Audi S7

The 2023 Audi S7 is significantly cheaper than the Mercedes-AMG GT 53 when you look at its MSRP. For that price, you get a more powerful engine that takes identical time to achieve the 0 to 60 mph sprint. You do not have to worry about performance in either car as they are quite quick as you launch them. The Audi S7 offers a better balance of ride and handling. However, it is not as spacious as the AMG GT 53 from the inside. But the AMG GT 53 also does not offer comfortable rear seats and Audi gets a lead there. You also get better cargo capacity with the Audi S7. Considering, you are saving more than 10 grands with the Audi S7, it seems like a better value.

2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 vs. 2023 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe also gets an advantage in terms of pricing when you keep it against the Mercedes-AMG GT 53. For that price, you have to make a slight compromise in terms of acceleration. It takes a little longer than the AMG GT 53 to complete the 0 to 60-mph sprint. However, the difference is so small that you are hardly going to notice it from behind the wheel. But you will notice the difference in the ride quality and handling. The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe offers more sporty handling and also offers better ride quality compared to the AMG GT 53. The Merc on the other hand offers more tech in the cabin. The choice between the two depends on your preference. 

2023 Mercedes-AMG GT 53 vs. 2023 Porsche Panamera 4S

The Porsche Panamera 4S is slightly more expensive compared to the AMG GT 53. But it comes with a much more powerful engine and gets a significantly quicker acceleration. It is hard for Mercedes to match the driving dynamics of the Porsche Panamera in any way. The Porsche Panamera 4S comes with the sportiest handling in the segment. But you get all that without making any compromises with the ride quality. You do not have to compromise with the practicality of the car either. The Porsche Panamera 4s offers spacious rear seats and it is more comfortable and usable than the Merc which is a big surprise in itself. The Porsche Panamera 4S seems a better buy considering all the points. If you do not have the budget, you can also consider getting the Porsche Panamera 4. 

The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 is a great option if you want a sporty sedan that can accommodate four passengers inside its cabin and still deliver quick acceleration. It comes with an inline-6 engine under its hood which is not the most exciting that the lineup has to offer. The acceleration is not disappointing from the engine and it is on par with the rivals. But you are not going to get the V8 powertrain with the AMG GT 53 which is reserved for the top-of-the-line AMG GT 63. The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 is also not the most fun car to drive in its segment. It lacks behind some of its rivals in the handling department. If you want athletic handling and the best driving experience, you might want to look for a Panamera. The AMG GT 53 also compromises on headroom for the rear seat passengers and the ride quality is not comfortable either. But it comes with a luxurious interior and a lively engine. If that seems like a good package to you, you can consider getting the AMG GT 53.