Ranking The 10 Best AMG Models Available in 2025
There are no bad AMG models, but some are better than others, and we rank the ten best that you can buy today.
Intro
AMG was started by two engineers back in the 1960s. They had a passion for performance and modified Mercedes-Benz engines for racing. Their racing cars were successful and that led to them modifying road cars for Mercedes-Benz. At first it was just a handful of special models that were blessed with the AMG badge. Eventually, DaimlerChrysler acquired AMG and Mercedes‑AMG GmbH was founded in 2005. At that point the AMG flood gates opened. Do you want a staggering statistic? There are currently THIRTY FOUR Mercedes‑AMG models offered for sale. Some say that is too many and it has watered down the AMG name. That can be debated, but what can’t be questioned is that there is an AMG model for everyone.
But with 34 different models, how do you know which one is the best? The truth is that they are all good. Nobody is going to kick an AMG out of their garage. Even the least expensive GLA 35 SUV is a good vehicle. However, when you compare an AMG to another AMG, you have to make some tough decisions. And that is exactly what we are doing. We examined all 34 AMG models and picked what we felt were the ten best. And then we ranked each of them until we came up with the best AMG currently for sale. Keep reading to find out how we ranked them and if you agree with us.
10. AMG C 43 Sedan
We understand the disappointment with AMG going to a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbo. AMG used to be all about fire-breathing V8 engines. Well, the four-pot engine might be small, but it is mighty. It manages to push out 416 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Enough to get the compact sedan to 60 mph it just about 4 seconds flat. And with a starting price of $62,500, it is one of the least expensive vehicles in the entire AMG lineup.
9. AMG GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE SUV
If you think the 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbo in the C 43 is impressive, wait until you hear about the one in the AMG GLC 63 S E PERFORMANCE SUV. In this model the engine gets electric assist from a rear 150kW electric motor. And the result is astounding. 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque. 0 to 60 times are in the low 3-second range. In a compact SUV that has up to 54 cubic feet of cargo capacity. And the starting price is just under $87K. There are not many vehicles in the world that offer this kind of power at this price point.
8. AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV
We are taking a substantial jump up in price here, but we are also now getting a proper AMG V8 engine. The AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV packs a 603-horsepower punch thanks to a 4.0L V8, a pair of turbos and an electric motor. The result is a mid-size SUV that rips to 60 mph in the mid 3 second range. And it sounds incredible while doing it. This powerful SUV is not just a straight-line speed demon as it also has more grip than you can imagine and will get you around corners faster than you thought possible.
7. AMG SL 55 Roadster
The SL is one of the most iconic Mercedes models in history. This one has a biturbo 4.0L V8 under the long hood. It belts out 469 horsepower which is modest by AMG standards. But the SL has never been about setting lap records. It is about refined luxury. A powerful cruiser for you and your mate (and maybe two people in the back you don’t like very much), going for a nice drive in the country. It is the perfect car for the distinguished driver.
6. AMG G 63 SUV
The G-Wagon is every bit as iconic as the SL, but it serves an entirely different purpose. It is designed to take you deep into the wilderness. And the G 63 version with a 577-horsepower 4.0L V8 will get you to the wilderness very quickly. I just drove one of these myself a couple of months ago, and nothing ever made me feel more like the king of the road. It feels like a luxury tank, sounds like a NASCAR racer and can take you places that you thought no vehicle could go. It is expensive and a bit silly, but I love it and so does everyone else.
5. AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE Sedan
This is your big boy. It is stuffed with everything Mercedes-AMG has to offer. You get incredible luxury teamed with incredible performance. 791 horsepower and 1,055 pound-feet of torque. That is more torque than you get in the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel in a Ford Super Duty pickup truck. This huge sedan gets to 60 mph in about 2.5 seconds. That is quicker than a Porsche 911 GT3. This thing is just a marvel.
4. AMG CLE 53 Cabriolet
How can the CLE 53 Cabriolet be ranked ahead of the SL 55? Well, it is over $60,000 less expensive, and it makes nearly the same horsepower, although it is down about 100 foot-pounds in torque. The SL does pack a V8, but the CLE 53 doesn’t have to make do with a 4-cylinder. It gets a lovely 3.0L inline six with hybrid assist. Also, we wouldn’t call the back seats in the CLE 53 roomy, but there is certainly a lot more space for rear passengers than you get in the SL 55. This is a very nice car for the money and one of the best current AMG models.
3. AMG SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE Roadster
To get on the AMG podium, you need to have a V8 engine, it is as simple as that. This car has one, and it has a rear 150kW electric motor as well. The result are some truly heroic performance figures. 805 horsepower and 1,047 foot-pounds of torque. This is not a cruiser, this is a supercar. 60 mph in the low 2-second range and a top speed that nudges 200 mph. It will even get you 7 miles of pure electric driving in case you want to sneak out to the Starbucks and back without waking up the neighbors. But when you do want to wake the neighbors, that popping and banging V8 will do the trick.
2. AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE 4-door Coupe
Take that brilliant SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE Roadster powertrain and pop it into a sedan. Oh, and crank up the horsepower dial to 831 in exchange for 9 foot-pounds of torque that you are never going to miss. And all this comes in a sexy sedan that can carry four or five people in luxury.
1. AMG GT 63 S E PERFORMANCE Coupe
In this car you get the same powertrain and horsepower and torque ratings as you get in the SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE Roadster. And not that it matters much to the wealthy folks buying these cars, but the Coupe is about $12,000 less expensive. You get vertigo-inducing acceleration in this car, and while looks are subjective, this could be the best-looking of all current AMG models. It is also the sportiest. If you are looking to run track days and terrorize Porsche 911s, this is the AMG model for you. We think it is currently the best AMG model available today.
Images: Mercedes-Benz