2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe Review and Test Drive

The AMG GT Coupe returns, offering a distinctly different and raucous alternative to its high-performance rivals.

Mark Takahashi | 

Nov 1, 2024 | 6 min read

Mark Takahashi

The 2024 Mercedes AMG GT Coupe comes in GT 55 and GT 63 trim levels, and base prices range from the mid-$130,000s to the high $170,000s, including the destination charge to ship the car from the Bremen, Germany, factory that builds it to your local dealership.

For this 2024 Mercedes AMG GT Coupe review, I drove the GT 63 throughout the Los Angeles area. Optional equipment highlights included an AMG High Performance Ceramic Composite Braking System, AMG Carbon Fiber Package, AMG Carbon Fiber interior trim, and 21-inch forged aluminum wheels. Additional upgrades were a front-axle lift system for added ground clearance, a panoramic glass roof, AMG Performance Seats, and a Driver Assistance Package.

Mark Takahashi

Mercedes loaded my test car with even more items, but those were the most expensive and significant upgrades. They helped bump the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $211,810, including the $1,150 destination charge. Mercedes-Benz provided the vehicle for this AMG GT Coupe review.

Is the 2024 Mercedes AMG GT Coupe a Good Car?

The new AMG GT Coupe is an excellent performance car with an abundance of power and cornering abilities that could make it a star on a racetrack. It differentiates itself from the Porsche 911 with a raucous V8 engine that growls with ferocity and legitimately useful cargo space. The ride quality is surprisingly firm, though, making it less suitable for comfortable touring and more comparable to the Aston Martin DB12 or McLaren GT.

The GT Coupe Is the Marriage of a Porsche 911 and a Muscle Car

From the front, the new AMG GT Coupe looks much like the model it replaces, with a long, rounded hood and massive grille. From the rear, however, it resembles a Porsche 911, with its curvaceous fenders and teardrop profile.

Mark Takahashi

Inside, the GT Coupe is all Mercedes-Benz, sporting a large tablet-like central infotainment touchscreen spiced up with racy elements, including air vents that look like they belong on a jet fighter.

Those optional performance seats provide plenty of lateral support thanks to their large bolsters, yet they are comfortable for many hours on the road. Rear seats are optional but not recommended, as the area they bolt into is better suited for cargo overflow from the generous 11.3 cubic-foot trunk.

Comically small rear seats are also available in the Porsche 911, but since its 4.8 cu-ft cargo capacity limits even those who pack light, you might wish to skip them for the added storage space. If you think you might carry more than one passenger, the Mercedes is likely the better choice.

Mark Takahashi

Great Tech Features, but They Could Use Improvement

The Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system continues to impress, featuring one of the industry's most accurate voice recognition systems.

In the 2024 AMG GT Coupe, Mercedes uses a large 11.9-inch touchscreen mounted on the center of the dashboard, but it's more challenging to use than in other Mercedes models. The lower placement requires you to look away from the road, and given the GT Coupe's sensitive steering, it is easy to drift left or right on the highway when making adjustments on the display.

The capacitive-touch steering-wheel controls are even more challenging, with overly sensitive pads that make them difficult to use accurately.

I preferred to use voice commands. For example, you can say: "Hey, Mercedes, I'm a little warm." After a few seconds, the system responds and decreases the cabin temperature. Further helping matters are the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which pair well with the wireless charging pad that can hold larger smartphones.

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Mercedes could improve the infotainment interface by placing the screen higher, within the driver's sightline, and replacing the central handrest with physical infotainment controls.

Similarly, some advanced safety features could also use a retune to better adapt them to the AMG GT Coupe. I noticed occasional false alarms from the forward-collision warning system, and in one instance, the automatic emergency braking suddenly activated for no apparent reason. It was jarring and alarming, and fortunately, no vehicles were following me when it happened. Otherwise, all other systems, such as the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, functioned as they should.

The Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe Prioritizes Performance

A turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 producing 469 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque motivates the AMG GT 55 Coupe. It's mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard. The AMG GT 63 Coupe increases output to 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft. Mercedes-Benz estimates the GT 55 will accelerate to 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds, while the GT 63 should get there in 3.1 seconds.

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Perhaps I've been spending too much time in EVs, but I thoroughly enjoy the roar of the AMG GT Coupe's V8. Acceleration is immediate and addictive, requiring little skill or effort to reach highway speeds before lifting off the pedal, resulting in some joyous crackles from the exhaust.

Handling and braking are definitely up to racetrack standards. The limits are so high that I couldn't explore them on public roads. On some of the most challenging routes above Malibu, the Mercedes tracked through each curve with precision, and the tires never uttered so much as a peep. It inspires you to drive with purpose, but it doesn't feel as light or agile as some Porsche 911 models on the same road.

Mark Takahashi

However, an unfortunate byproduct of the AMG GT Coupe's stellar cornering are notable sacrifices to comfort. The ride quality is surprisingly stiff, even in Comfort mode, transmitting sharp impacts from potholes and lane reflectors into the cabin.

I'm typically fine trading comfort for performance, but in this case, the AMG GT Coupe goes too far. There's a harshness that I'm unaccustomed to from a Mercedes. Combined with an intrusive amount of road noise, I'd think twice about using it as a daily driver or for a long road trip.

Fuel economy often suffers with high-performance sports cars, and the AMG GT Coupe is no different. The EPA estimates it will only return 13/20/16 mpg city/highway/combined while burning premium gas. And that's assuming you're driving conservatively. I managed 16.8 mpg over a week of driving in the city and on highways. When I had my fun run above Malibu, that average plummeted to a mere 12.9 mpg.

Mark Takahashi

In many ways, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe leaves me torn. I absolutely love the sinister sound of the GT 63's V8 engine and the way it slices through turns, but the harsh ride quality has me favoring the Porsche 911 for daily driving duties. The AMG GT Coupe's usable trunk could sway practical shoppers, but in the end, I think of the Mercedes as a more extroverted and brash interpretation of the iconic 911.

Mark Takahashi

There's no such thing as a perfect car, but I'm convinced that there is a perfect car for you. That's why I've spent the last two decades reviewing every type of vehicle I could get my hands on. From economy hatchbacks to high-performance sports cars and pickup trucks to family SUVs, I've driven them all. I aim to deliver the most comprehensive evaluation possible so you can see for yourself which vehicle is likely to be the best fit for your life and budget.