Mercedes AMG GT

We tested the GT 53 sedan. Its engine feels strong and responsive around town and is incredibly smooth. Standard all-wheel drive means plenty of traction too. At our test track, the AMG GT 53 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. That's on par with other rival six-cylinder sport sedans we've tested such as the Audi S7 and BMW 840i Gran Coupe. The automatic transmission downshifts quickly when you need it and smoothly when you don't. The GT 53's engine stop-start system is unobtrusive too.

Unfortunately, the rest of the GT 53 can't match the engine's strong performance. Every car in this class is big and heavy, but the GT 53 doesn't hide its mass as well as the Porsche Panamera or Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. The suspension helps it corner flat, but the steering lacks the precision we want from a truly great sport sedan. The brakes, too, were off the mark in our emergency braking distance tests, though they feel plenty strong in day-to-day driving. A wide turning radius that makes it hard to pull off tight U-turns is another demerit here.

With the return of the coupe model, the AMG GT lineup is one of few that offers luxurious performance-oriented two- and four-door body styles. But it's not the only one you should consider. The BMW 8 Series should also pique your interest because it's available as a large and powerful coupe, convertible and sedan called the Gran Coupe. The Porsche Panamera is another compelling option that offers a variety of powertrain choices, but if you prefer two doors, there's of course, the 911. Check back in the coming months as we learn more about what's in store for the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT.

The GT 53 was recently updated with an all-new infotainment system, though it's the same one we've seen in other Mercedes-Benz cars for the past few years. The learning curve might be a bit steep, but that's simply because there's so much that the system can do. It's relatively easy to navigate the menus using either the touchscreen or the touchpad on the center console. There are plenty of real buttons, too, for quick access to navigation or media. Some buttons on the center console are actually little screens. They look cool but totally wash out if you're wearing polarized sunglasses. The gear selector is awkwardly located too.

Getting in and out can be a bit of a challenge too. The low roofline and wide doorsills mean you have to duck and then awkwardly step in. The heavily bolstered Performance seats of our test car further impeded access. Once you're situated, you'll find the driving position to be set rather low, which might not suit everyone. This, plus the small windows, also makes it hard to see out of the car, but the excellent surround-view cameras help here.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 pairs a smooth, strong, and responsive engine with standard all-wheel drive and a genuinely luxurious cabin. It's quick, refined, and comfortable enough for daily use — but it doesn't disguise its size and weight as well as rivals like the Porsche Panamera, and it feels closely related to other Mercedes sedans rather than truly special. As a plush, powerful grand tourer it delivers; as a pure driver's car it stops just short of the class best.