2025 Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance Test Drive: 805 HP Hybrid, 2.5-Sec 0-60, Full Review & Rivals

That’s the 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance in a nutshell, a hybrid marvel that doesn’t just build on the SL legacy; it catapults it into supercar territory while keeping that open-air allure intact. I spent a sun-drenched day flogging this China Blue beauty from Malibu to Big Sur, and let me tell you, it’s the kind of drive that lingers – raw, rewarding, and ridiculously capable. From the V8’s guttural growl blending with electric whoosh to a chassis that defies its 4,784-pound heft, here’s my no-holds-barred take on why this SL63 S steals the show, plus the quirks that keep it honest.

2025 Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E (20)

Power Surge: V8 Heart Meets Electric Soul

At its core, the SL63 S E Performance is a symphony of shove – Mercedes’ M177 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (603 hp, 627 lb-ft) up front teams with a rear permanent-magnet e-motor (201 hp, 236 lb-ft) and a 4.8 kWh battery for a combined 805 hp and 1,047 lb-ft. It’s the same E Performance recipe as the GT63 S and C63 S, but tuned for roadster rhythm: the nine-speed wet-clutch auto and 4Matic+ AWD split duties seamlessly – V8 for high-rev howl, e-motor for instant low-end kick – with a two-speed e-box optimizing efficiency.

Launching? Effortless terror – 0-60 vanishes in 2.5 seconds, quarter-mile clocks 10.4 at 135 mph, feeling like warp drive with no drama. The clutch judder plaguing non-hybrids? Gone, thanks to electric assist smoothing the line. Shifts snap via paddles, though downshifts occasionally balk, and regen-friction blending makes the pedal less linear than the SL63’s pure hydraulic bite. Electric-only? A handy 8-10 miles for errands, 350 total on gas – not a range king, but clever for coastal jaunts.

Vs the GT63 S hardtop? A tenth slower to 60, but the quarter’s a dead heat – the convertible’s poise prevails. It’s not subtle; the V8 builds a crescendo over the e-whine, but in Sport+, that interplay’s intoxicating, with torque always on call. Gear laziness? Whip between third and fourth for hours – cruising or carving, it’s indifferent.

Chassis Charm: Fierce Yet Forgiving, Top-Down Triumph

AMG’s multi-metal architecture – aluminum spaceframe with steel reinforcements – shines here, rear-biased AWD and four-wheel steering keeping the SL63 S glued without gimmicks. Steering’s quick and hefty, relaying texture without numbness, while adaptive dampers (Comfort to Sport+) soak small chatter for plush cruises yet firm up for canyon dances – 0.99 g skidpad and 23.5-second figure-eight at 0.91 g average scream elite.

Top down? Magic – no buffeting whip, headrest vents warm cool blasts, cabin hush rivaling hardtops. Roof folds in 2.7 seconds up to 31 mph, sealing serene. The 1,047 lb-ft? It tempts tail slides, but front pull reins it balanced – playful, not punishing. Braking? 108 feet from 60, strong but trailing the GT63 S’s 102 – regen’s the culprit, less linear than pure friction.

It’s not plush like a Maybach SL; it’s visceral – impacts whisper through without wallow, stable over big hits. Cons? That weight dulls ultimate snap vs rear-drive Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid (2.6-sec 0-60), but the SL’s forgiveness suits varied vibes.

Cabin Conundrum: Loaded but Lacking Wow

Mercedes’ shared playbook bites – the SL63 S mirrors the SL43’s ($115K less) digs: crisp 11.9-inch gauges, 12.3-inch infotainment, OTA updates, and Burmester 17-speaker (1,275 watts) bliss. Massaging/ventilated seats, ambient mood lighting, and glitzy accents impress, but for $209K, it’s “nice” not “next-level” – plastics echo cheaper AMGs, glovebox lacks a lock.

Trunk? 5.5 cu ft top-up – puny for getaways. Rears? Shelf-like for parcels, but they fold for extra. It’s comfy, but Bentley Continental GT Convertible’s walnut opulence wins the luxe league.

Quick Stats: 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance Snapshot

Category	Details
Layout	Front V8/rear motor, AWD, 2+2 convertible
Engine/Motor	4.0L TT V8, 603 hp; PM motor, 201 hp
Total Output	805 hp / 1,047 lb-ft
Transmission	9-speed auto (V8), 2-speed (motor)
0-60 mph	2.5 sec
Quarter Mile	10.4 sec @ 135 mph
60-0 Braking	108 ft
Skidpad	0.99 g
Curb Weight	4,784 lb
Base Price	$209,150

SL63 S vs Hybrid Hotshots: The Drop-Top Duel

Metric	2025 Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance	2025 Porsche 911 GTS T-Hybrid Coupe	2025 Ferrari Roma Spider
Power/Torque	805 hp / 1,047 lb-ft	532 hp / 449 lb-ft	612 hp / 561 lb-ft
0-60 mph	2.5 sec	2.6 sec	3.4 sec
Quarter Mile	10.4 sec @ 135 mph	10.7 sec @ 130 mph	11.4 sec @ 122 mph
Top Down?	Yes	No	Yes
Base Price	$209,150	$164,900	$318,000

SL63 S rules open-air supremacy; 911’s nimbler, Roma’s rawer.

Wrap-Up: SL63 S – Hybrid Heart, Roadster Soul

The 2025 Mercedes-AMG SL63 S E Performance is a triumph of tension – ferocious yet forgiving, loud yet lush, a hybrid roadster that elevates the SL to untouchable heights. That 2.5-sec surge and 0.99 g grip thrill, but the poise – top-down or tied-down – seals it as a world-beater. At $209K, it’s not cheap, but for drop-top delirium that dances with 911s and dines with Rom as, it’s priceless. SL63 S siren call or GT63 S hardtop holdout? Chime in below – what’s your dream drop-top duel?