2022 MERCEDES AMG GT 53

AMG GT 53 COMBINES PROFILE OF A COUPE WITH PERFORMANCE OF A SPORTS CAR

If you’re looking for a vehicle that offers sports car-like performance and still has a practical side — and budget is not a factor — Mercedes-Benz may have the answer for you in the 2022 AMG GT 53.

Called a 4-door coupe, the 2022 AMG GT 53 has room for two in the back and gives them easy access without having to contort themselves you often must do in entering through the front doors.

It also has 12.7 cubic feet of trunk space to accommodate most of the stuff those passengers might bring along with them for a weekend trip, which is than you typically get in a two-passenger roadster.

As for performance, the “AMG” designation should be a tipoff. Acceleration is smooth and rapid, like a zero-to-60 mph clocking of an estimated 4.4 seconds.

The turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-6 engine is rated at 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque with a boost of 21 hp and 184 lb.-ft., respectively, from the Integrated Starter-Generator that provides a mild electric boost.

With the engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, fuel efficiency is rated at 19 miles-per-gallon city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. Those are notnot the kind of numbers that will make greenies very happy, but does have the Eco start/stop system that saves fuel while you pause at inter sections waiting for the light to change.

The 2022 AMG GT 53 is, as is common with vehicles out of the German’s stable, filled with the usual collection of standard equipment common in the luxury segment, including the company’s MBUX infotainment features.

Alas, though many of the system’s functions are operable via voice command, the basic operating system works via a touch pad on the console similar to what you would find on a laptop computer. Can you say distracting?

New for 2022, Mercedes has made the surround-view camera part of standard equipment, which is a nice safety feature. Also, if you need room for an extra passenger in the back on a consistent basis, a second-row bench seat that accommodates three riders is available in the U.S. market. It also folds to give you extra storage room.

Navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless start, and Bluetooth Communications are also standard in the starting price of $102,600.

The 2022 AMG GT 53 provided for my test also came with a long list of options to take the price up a notch starting with $3,250 for the exclusive saddle brown and black Nappa leather interior and $2,850 for carbon fiber interior trim.

Other options and packages included a Burmester premium sound system, a Driver Assistance Package (active lane-change and lane-keeping assist, active blind spot assist, rear-end collision protection, etc.), heated and ventilated front seats plus a warmth and comfort package (heated front armrests, heated steering wheel, rapid heating function for front seats), an acoustic-comfort package, multicolor front seats with massage function, AMG performance exhaust, 20-inch AMG multi-spoke wheels with black accents, and a cabin air fragrance and ionization system.

With the $1,050 destination and delivery charge added, the final bottom line came to $130,850.

Oh, yeah, An AMG performance steering wheel and glass sunroof came at no extra charge.

What I liked about the 2022 AMG GT 53: Performance is top notch, qne i5 is impressive inside and out. The exterior is stunning, and the interior is filled with high quality, premium materials.

What I didn’t like about the 2022 AMG GT 53: The infotainment system itself is not all that complicated, but using the touchpad on the console can divert from the driver’s attention. You also likely will find yourself changing functions when you accidentally brush the touchpad surface. Extras quickly drive up the price.

Would I buy the 2022 AMG GT 53? I would have to win the lottery first, of course, but yes. The GT 53 offers the sleek coupe profile while also providing easy access to the backseat via rear doors. It would be hard to pass up on its performance. That there is room only for two passengers in the back can be a downer at times, but not often enough to really matter. And there is always the optional bench seat.