2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65

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Rating7.1

Ranked #17 in 

Fullsize Sedan
Write Review
$235,600
Starting Price 
M. Hannigan's image
M. Hannigan 

Content Writer,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Ample power

Some features are questionably expensive

New interior accents and new steering wheel for AMG variants

Posh interior and comfortable seats

Smooth ride

Specs & Features

$235,600

price

621 hp @ 4800 rpm

horsepower

738 lb.-ft. @ 2300 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

6.0L 12cyl RWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S65 is the last example of its generation, defining Mercedes-Benz's luxury. The S65 AMG specs are enough to demolish the difference between luxury and performance. Powered by a 6.0-liter turbo V-12 engine, the AMG S65 boasts 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. All that power is channeled to the rear wheels, bringing the 0–60 sprint time to just 3.9 seconds and reaching a top speed of 155 mph.

However, the immense power of the Mercedes V12 biturbo and the luxury of the S65 AMG don't come cheap. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG S65 starts at an MSRP of $235,600, making it compete with the likes of the BMW M760i and Maserati Quattroporte GTS. As shown in the video by MercBenzKing, the reviewer is satisfied with the interior, luxury, infotainment, and technical aspects of the car.

Buying Advice

The AMG S 65 is at the pinnacle of S class line up and Mercedes Benz has done a great job by employing top-notch technology and luxury features. Though there is not much you would need still Mercedes has made arrangements to take your experience a step up with add ons like Magic Sky Control, Magic Body Control Suspension, heads up display and more. Even though some of the options are crazy expensive, they are definitely worth having.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

The latest generation of the S Class came out in 2014 and offered the same features and comfort as a Rolls Royce for a fraction of its price. The S Class is not cheap, it is not even close. The 2020 S Class starts at around $91,00 and the S 65 AMG sedan goes all the way to $232,000. Comfort definitely comes at a price. The V12 grunt is definitely something to live for.

Features

The S-Class is a diverse Mercedes lineup brimmed with luxury and backed with torquey powertrains. The S class is further divided into a sedan, coupe, and sedan body styles. At the summit of the sedan, lineup is the AMG S 65. The sedan has colossal power and a purist pleasing performance. Also, the signature S class luxury is amplified on this year's S 65. The S class buyers have always appreciated the generous standard feature list which goes further to amaze people for the AMG-fied variants. Other than the standard fills of features you are entitled to an adaptive suspension, a sports exhaust, performance apps, surround view camera and more.

Trims

Mercedes Benz AMG S 65

MSRP

$232,550

Key Features

Ventilated front seats

 

16-way power-adjustable front seats

 

Adaptive LED headlights

 

Air-ride adaptive suspension

 

Panoramic sunroof

 

Auto-dimming and power-folding mirrors

 

Aircap system that deploys wind blockers atop the windshield and

between the rear headrests

 

Airscarf neck heating

 

Premium leather and an automated parking system

We Recommend

The AMG S 65 is at the pinnacle of S class line up and Mercedes Benz has done a great job by employing top-notch technology and luxury features. Though it is not much you would need still Mercedes has made arrangements to take your experience a step up with add ons like Magic Sky Control, Magic Body Control Suspension, heads up display and more.

Fuel Economy
4.0/10

The V12 with all that horsepower and torque will come at a massive expense; fuel economy. While the S 65 isn't really made for efficiency in mind, it still provides a mere modest mpg. If efficiency is a concern, it'll be a wise choice to choose the Comfort mode, which switches to using less performance from the engine while also providing a nice and comfortable drive.

Model

Mercedes-Benz AMG S65 Sedan

BMW M760i Sedan

Maserati Quattroporte GTS

Porsche Panamera Turbo

MPG (city)

13

13

15

18

MPG (highway)

22

20

22

25

MPG (combined)

16

16

17

21

Interior
8.0/10

"The highest priority in the S-Class is passenger comfort, and it doesn't matter whether you sit in the front or the back to soak it all in"-Edmunds

Seating and comfort

As soon as you lay foot in the S 65, one word sure springs to mind; Elegance. The cabin is neatly packed in luxury while looking as elegant as an S-Class would look. It is spacious, comfortable and perfect for long-distance driving. The 4 seats are wrapped with Nappa leather while the upholstery is a high-quality stitch. From the steering wheel to the upholstery, the German manufacturer has made sure no corners are cut in providing top-notch quality craftsmanship and elegance.

Model

Mercedes-Benz AMG S65 Sedan

BMW M760i Sedan

Maserati Quattroporte GTS

Porsche Panamera Turbo

Passenger capacity

4

4

4

4

Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

42.1/59.7/41.4

39.9/59.2/41.4

N/A

N/A

Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)

39.2/59.1/43

38.9/57.7/44.4

N/A

N/A

All the seats in the car are made with comfort in mind while trying to remain as roomy as possible. The distance between the head and the roof is spacious and doesn't feel stuffy. The rear seats provide spacious legroom and can accommodate 2 people with ease; maybe 3 if you actually do stuff in.

Interior Features

  • Driver Assisted Parking Assist
  • Overhead Console With Storage
  • Front Seatback Storage
  • Leather Steering Wheel
  • Four Zone Climate Control
  • Turn Signal In Mirrors
  • Adaptive Cruise Control
  • Dual Illuminating Vanity Mirrors
  • Electric Power Steering
  • Tilt And Telescopic Steering Wheel
  • Universal Remote Transmitter (For Garage Door, Security System, Etc.)
  • Transmission Controls And Audio Controls On Steering Wheel
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Interior Air Filtration

Cargo volume

The S 65 comes with an 8.8 cubic feet boot space which is better compared to 8.3 ft in Bentley. Clearly, comfort had the upper hand over practicality here. Inside, you will find adequate small item storage compartments like door pockets and rear seats have center armrest consoles.

Model

Mercedes-Benz S65 Sedan

BMW M760i Sedan

Maserati Quattroporte GTS

Porsche Panamera Turbo

Cargo Volume (ft.3)

16.6

18.2

18.7

17.4

Exterior
9.0/10

"The S-Class family of cars wears its flagship status on its sleeves"- The Car Connection

Design and Styling

The design for this flagship S Class draws heavily from the Merc's heritage. The Coupe's beautiful sweeping lines reflect the astute minimalism of the German design. Another unmistakably S Class trait is the pure pillarless profile. The makes the AMG S 65 irresistible to look from an aesthetic point of view. The absence of B-pillars also signifies the engineering advancement that makes such a design possible and offers structural rigidity without the expense of additional weight.

Model

Mercedes-Benz AMG S65 Sedan

BMW M760i Sedan

Maserati Quattroporte GTS

Porsche Panamera Turbo

Curb weight (lbs.)

4960

5128

4189

4630

Length(in)

208.5

206.6

207.2

204.7

Width(in)

75.4

74.9

76.7

76.3

Height(in)

59

58.2

58.3

56.4

Ground clearance (in)

5.0

5.8

N/A

6.4

Wheelbase (in)

124.6

126.4

124.8

122.0

Track width (in) F/R

64.6/64.6

63.5/64.6

64.3/64.8

65.2/64.5

Dimensions and Weight

The S 65 weighs 4,817lbs while measuring 198.9in in length. 75.3in in width, and 56.1in in height. The sedan doesn't seem too long nor too small, though still manage to deliver a menacing stance. From the ground, it measures 4.6 inches which is a tad too close to the ground; watch out for those huge bumps along the way!

The wheelbase is far longer than its rivals, measuring at 115.9. Even with these measurements, the car is easy to maneuver without a hassle, while maintaining a good turning radius.

Exterior Features

  • 20" AMG Forged Twin 5-Spoke Wheels
  • Wheel Locks
  • Electrically Heated Windshield
  • Chrome Door Handle Inserts
  • MAGIC SKY CONTROL
  • Air Intakes And Flics In Black
  • Rear Spoiler

 

Safety
7.0/10

The S Class is yet to undergo any third party crash testing though Mercedes has done its best to equip the S 65 with every safety feature in the Benz arsenal. Though the last year's tests are promising enough to invest in the AMG S65. You get assuring a set of active and passive safety features like -

  • Daytime Running Lights
  • Engine Immobilizer
  • Stability Control
  • Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
  • Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring
  • Traction Control
  • Pre-Collision Safety System
  • Emergency Braking Preparation
  • Post-Collision Safety System
  • Front And Rear Head Airbags
  • Emergency Braking Assist
  • Adaptive Headlights
  • High-Pressure Washers Headlamps
  • Front And Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes
  • Dusk Sensing Headlamps
  • Blind Spot And Lane Departure Warnings Accident Avoidance System

 

Competition
8.0/10

BMW M760i Sedan vs Mercedes Benz AMG S65

 

The S class is a work of art in the luxury sedan segment with a galore of options to customize, do you know who else has it? The BMW 7 series has power, luxury, logic in their corner. The AMG S65 is a daunting beast and to tame this beast Beemer brings in their M760i. It might run low on power than the S 65 but that doesn't have the slightest effect on the M760i performance, in fact, it outperforms the Merc in acceleration and handling. The M760i promotes favors drivability over everything, while Merc found a better blend of luxury and athleticism.

However, you will need a hell of money to but the S 65 while BMW's peppy V8 displays brute power and better performance.

Maserati Quattroporte GTS vs Mercedes Benz AMG S65

Maserati boasts its gurgling roar of Ferrari derived V8 engine but it's not enough to neutralize AMG's enchantments. The styling has an Italian zest while Merc features its elegant minimalistic design. Performance wise the S 65 clearly has an edge over Maserati, right from the 621 menacing horses to its stealth on-road presence. Its frugality may be better than the Merc but that's isn't a promising aspect in a car like this.

Final Verdict

Without a doubt the new S 65 proves to be a complete package; it's got the looks, the design, the powertrain, the comfort, the elegance, and the style. But is it worth the hefty price tag of $238,900? Well, that depends on who you ask that. It is not a car you buy every once in a while (unless you have that sort of money) but it's something you invest in and drive it out at your own leisure time. Sure it has got everything the S-Class segments offered by Mercedes, but for that price range, there are definitely other fishes in the sea!

The S 65 just does not seem to be justifiable a buy given how expensive it is, but it sure does have that appeal to want to buy it! For instance, its sister model, the S 63 which costs a good $70,000 less, offers a V8 but has mostly all the features in the S 65 and is even quicker than the V12! So why the S 65? One word when it comes to choosing the best Mercedes has to offer - Premium, and that's exactly why you'd rather buy the S 65; not because you need it or can afford it, but you want the best Mercedes there is.

Trims

    Base
    $235,600 onwards
    • 7-inch infotainment touchscreen
    • High-Definition rearview camera
    • Onboard Wi-Fi hotspot

Compare to similar cars

Price

$235,600

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.14

Horsepower

621 hp @ 4800 rpm

Torque

738 lb.-ft. @ 2300 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$157,700

Gasoline

7.89

600 hp @ 5500 rpm

627 lb.-ft. @ 1550 rpm

5

Read Review

$142,800

Gasoline

8.55

600 hp @ 5500 rpm

590 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$109,500- $140,500

Gasoline

8.08

424 hp @ 5750 rpm

428 lb.-ft. @ 2250 rpm

5

Read Review

$151,600- $183,500

Gasoline

8.34

603 hp @ 5500 rpm

664 lb.-ft. @ 2750 rpm

5

Read Review

$129,500

Gasoline

7.69

563 hp @ 6000 rpm

590 lb.-ft. @ 2500 rpm

5

Read Review

$94,895

Gasoline

8.26

550 hp @ 5000 rpm

627 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    3.74 sec11.7 sec-
    3.4 sec-155 mph
    3.45 sec14.7 sec-
    3.5 sec11.4 sec-
    3.5 sec10.9 sec-
    2020 Audi S8

    Ranked #5

    3.8 sec12.3 sec155 mph

    2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      13 mpg22 mpg16 mpg24.3 gal.315.9/534.6 mi.
      17 mpg26 mpg20 mpg21.1 gal.358.7/548.6 mi.
      17 mpg25 mpg20 mpg20.6 gal.350.2/515 mi.
      17 mpg24 mpg19 mpg21.1 gal.358.7/506.4 mi.
      14 mpg25 mpg17 mpg19.2 gal.268.80/480 mi.
      2020 Audi S8

      Ranked #4

      13 mpg22 mpg16 mpg21.7 gal.282.10/477.40 mi.

      2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        208.5 in.76 in.59 in.5.1 in.124.6 in.
        2020 Audi S8

        Ranked #1

        209 in.76.6 in.58.6 in.-123.2 in.
        208.5 in.76 in.59 in.5.1 in.124.6 in.
        207.4 in.74.9 in.58.2 in.5.3 in.126.4 in.
        207.4 in.74.9 in.58.2 in.5.3 in.126.4 in.
        207.2 in.76.7 in.58.3 in.-124.8 in.

        2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          16.6 cu.ft.-16.6 cu.ft.
          18.7 cu.ft.-18.7 cu.ft.
          15.8 cu.ft.110 cu.ft.15.8 cu.ft.
          18.2 cu.ft.96.9 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.
          18 cu.ft.-18 cu.ft.
          18.2 cu.ft.102.3 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.

          2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            16.6 cu.ft.16.6 cu.ft.16.6 cu.ft.-
            2020 Audi S8

            Ranked #2

            -12.2 cu.ft.-76 ft.
            18 cu.ft.18 cu.ft.18 cu.ft.-
            16 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.211 ft.
            52.7 cu.ft.15.8 cu.ft.15.8 cu.ft.-
            20.8 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.18.2 cu.ft.-

            2020 Mercedes-Benz AMG S 65 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              -5093 lbs.
              -4564 lbs.
              1043 lbs.4470 lbs.
              -4855 lbs.
              -4101 lbs.
              1016 lbs.5159 lbs.

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              MPG Combined : 16 mpg

              0-60 : 3.74 sec

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