LOOK OUT ON THE ROAD! IT’S AN SUV! NO, A COUPE! NO, IT’S AN AMG GLE 53 SUV COUPE!

You would think that any person fairly cognizant of the automotive world would have no problem distinguishing a coupe from an SUV.

After all, an SUV is a somewhat boxy vehicle with four doors and a big storage area in the back often coming with three rows of seats while a coupe is a smaller version (usually) of a sedan but with only two doors, right?

That’s probably what most observers would go with, but then they probably haven’t seen the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe.

At least “coupe” is what the Germans call it. Forget about that sporty little two-door with a minimal trunk and room enough for to seat only two adults comfortably in the back.

At 195.3 inches long and riding on optional 21-inch wheels, the AMG GLE 53 “Coupe” is right up there with many full-size sedans, and, yes, it seats five and has four doors for easy access to the back. That alone would disqualify it as a “coupe” in the eyes of many, including auto reviewers.

But if Mercedes wants to call it a Coupe, who am I to argue?

Perhaps the solution is to label it a “coupe-style” SUV to separate it from the more traditional SUV model such as the AMG GLE 63 S I reviewed in May (see archive listings on the right). That’s what some reviewers do, and it seems to work.

The AMG GLE 53 Coupe comes with a performance-tuned, 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged in-line 6 cylinder engine rated at a peak 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque with another 21 hp and 184 lb.-ft. coming from the EQ Boost electric starter-generator.

That results in a zero-to-60 mph clocking of 5.2 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, according to company clockers.

The engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and may be set in seven different drive modes — Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, and Slippery (with reduced power and a flat torque curve for slick surfaces) as well as Trail and Sand for going off-road. An AMG performance version of Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive system also is included.

Fuel economy ratings from the government for the AMG GLE 53 Coupe are 18 miles-per-gallon city, 23 highway and 20 combined which pretty much mirror the 18/22/19 for the GLE 53 SUV.

The GLE 53 Coupe does have an aggressive look about it, though the exterior is not for everyone’s tastes, at least judging by one of the responses it got from a neighbor of mine. (I’ll be kind here and not quote him directly).

The front fascia has an in-your-face look about it with an extra large Mercedes tri-star logo in the middle of the yawning grille. The bulky rear looks like designers simply ran out of ideas of how to finish it off smoothly.

The interior is another story. AMG touches such as red contrast stitching on the leather seats raises the level of the high-class cabin up a notch.


Standard features included in the AMG GLE 53’s base $76,500 MSRP include a panorama sunroof, keyless entry with push-button start, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display smoothly integrated into a 12.3 inch instrument cluster giving the dash a striking appearance, MBUX infotainment features, a Burmeister premium sound system, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and LED headlights.

Standard safety systems include attention assist, active brake assist, active park assist, a high-def rear-view camera, and the company’s Pre-Safe Occupant Protection system.

Extras such as natural grain gray oak wood interior trim, 21-inch, 5-spoke black AMG wheels, active lane-keeping assist, and a technology package that includes augmented video for navigation ran the bottom line to $84,105 including the $995 destination and delivery charge.

What I liked about the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe: The performance is at a high level (not the highest in the GLE portfolio; that would be the AMG GLE 63 S), and it is a very comfortable, quiet cruiser. Technology is plentiful.

What I didn’t like about the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe: Sorry, Mercedes, but your designer missed it with the exterior for me. The sloping roofline makes it tricky to get into the driver’s seat without bumping your head, but my No. 1 issue is with the touchpad system for operating infotainment functions. It continues to befuddle me. It’s just too easy to change settings, including radio stations, with an accidental brush of your hand as you reach for something in the cupholder.

Would I buy the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe? No. The downsides (exterior design, MBUX infotainment operation) simply outweigh the upsides (performance, comfort, capacity) for me. But appearance is largely a matter of taste, and you may like the way it looks. If performance is what you’re looking for in a family hauler, have it at!

MERCEDES FILLS OUT SUV PORTFOLIO WITH ADDITION OF AMG GLS 63 MODEL FOR 2021

After updating the GLS with new GLS 450 and GLS 580 models for 2020, Mercedes-Benz is now out with the AMG version of its largest SUV with the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63.

The Germans say it “is more dynamic and versatile than ever before” with “plenty of space for seven people” and “improved driving dynamics” powered by a 4.8-liter biturbo V8 engine that boosts horsepower to 603 and torque to 627 pound-feet over the 577/561 numbers of its predecessor.

And that engine gets a 48 horsepower, 184 torque jump from the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system that also controls idle speed for increased fuel efficiency. (The EPA has not released numbers for the 2021 model but it does publish numbers of 16 miles-per-gallon city, 21 highway and 18 overall for the 2020 GLS 580, which has a 4.0-liter V8 with slightly lower horsepower and torque numbers than the AMG GLS 63.

Mercedes clockers caught the AMG GLS 63 at 4.1 seconds from zero-to-60 mph and an electronically limited stop speed of 174 mph. That should satisfy the power-hungry.

That engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and is configured with the company’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system.

You also can vary the driving dynamics by selecting one of six driving modes — Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Sand, Trail, and Individual, or you also may select gears manually via the steering wheel-mounted paddles.

But lest we not forget that the AMG GLS 63 also lives to its SUV mission as a family hauler.

It seats seven passengers. Though you probably wouldn’t want to take a long trip sitting in the third row, getting back there takes little work. There is plenty of legroom in the first two rows with 40.3 inches up front and a generous 41.9 in the second row.

Cargo room is only slightly compromised when all seats are in place with 17.4 cubic feet behind the third row and 42.7 cubic feet when those seats are lowered by pushing buttons at the rear

Highlighting the front are a pair of 12.3-inch display screens incorporated into one flowing piece by a single glass cover. Content in the instrument panel may be set in one of four display styles— Modern Classic, Sport, Discreet and AMG-specific Supersport.

Infotainment features of the company’s MBUX system can be run via voice command (“Hey, Mercedes”), buttons on the steering wheel, or an annoying touchpad system that is supposed to mock the gestures used for a typical laptop but mostly just get in the way. They require an inordinate time away from keeping your attention on the road. Imagine “pinching” two fingers together on the pad to adjust the navigation scale, for example.

Standard features in the super-luxurious interior include a panoramic roof, navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Burmeister surround sound, multi-contour heated and ventilated front seats, Mercedes’ “me connect” services, wireless charging, 64-color ambient lighting, and safety systems like Attention Assist, Brake Assist, blind-spot assist, and parking assist.

That is included in the base MSRP of $133,095 (including destination and delivery).

My test model featured a couple of items you can probably live without depending on your family (like a $3,700 Rear Seat Executive Package that added rear-seat wireless charging and heated and cooled rear-seat cupholders among other things) so the bottom-line totaled $153,035.

Just another example of how the GLS lives up to the company’s billing as the “S-Class of SUVs.”

What I liked about the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63: The bold, aggressive styling exudes a “no compromise” ambiance. It is every bit as powerful as the image it projects. Highway cruising is unbelievably smooth and quiet, and you won’t have an issues with taking advantage of the smallest break in traffic to scoot across an intersection. The roomy interior is stuff with high-grade materials as might be expected with a vehicle from the Mercedes shop. The back cargo area behind behind the third row is OK, but far back seats fold with the touch of a button to provide access to a wide, yawning stowage area.

What I didn’t like about the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63: It’s a bear to maneuver in crowded mall parking lots, but my real issue with the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 (as it was with the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S I reviewed on May 19) is the MBUX infotainment system, especially the touchpad pad for selecting the desired feature. The small flat pad is simply in a bad spot and you can easily find yourself listening to a different audio station if your fingers brush it when you reach for something in the cupholders. Moving it to another location on the center console farther from the cupholders might help, but would not eliminate accidental touches entirely. They just would not occur as often.

Would I buy the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLS 63? Probably not. The touchpad system is a deal breaker with me. You have other options for changing a function, but the real killer to me is the effect of accidental brushings to change modes on the screen.

2020 MERCEDES-AMG GT C ROADSTER COMBINES PERFORMANCE, ELEGANCE 

While it is an outstanding vehicle that takes performance to the extreme, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster is not for everyone, and not just because of its six-figure price tag.

This is a vehicle that requires you to give your full attention to matters behind the wheel, which is not all bad but sometimes you just want to relax and cruise along without worrying about running over some unsuspecting ecobox in your path, not to mention an occasional cyclist.

The AMG GT C is not for the timid. You don’t go about putting 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque at your fingertips without at least a tiny bit of trepidation.

And yet at the same time the luxurious cabin is a powerful attraction. Mercedes designers have filled the interior with rich leather and soft touch spots and a whole swatch of technological features to enhance your overall driving/riding experience.

Think Dodge Viper outfitted in formal attire.

Included in the base MSRP of $162,400 for the GT C Roadster are niceties like dual zone climate control, a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster, COMAND navigation on wide HD display map, power heated AMG performance seats with lumbar support and memory, an AMG performance steering wheel, a power soft top that raises and lowers in 11 seconds and at speeds up to 31 mph, and Mercedes Airscarf system to channel warm air to the back of your neck when driving in cooler conditions with the top down.

Safety features include the usual assortment of airbags and seat belts plus active braking assist, lane-keeping and blind-spot assist, rearview and frontview cameras, and Mercedes’ Pre-Safe system that activates various safety precautions when sensors detect a collision coming.

Other standard features include LED headlamps and taillights, stop/start fuel-saving system (which can be deactivated by pushing a button), AMG adaptive sport suspension, AMG performance exhaust (oh, what a seat song it sings), and rear-wheel steering.

Engineers thought of darn near everything.

Under the hood of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster is a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine that is mated to an AMG 7-speed double-clutch transmission that can be upgraded to not only to Sport or Sport-Plus modes but Race mode as well. That combination zips you from zero to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

About the only thing you don’t get from the drivetrain is fuel economy. The EPA figures of 15 miles-per-gallon city, 20 highway, and 17 combined earns the 2020 AMG GT C a $1,000 Gas Guzzler’s Tax. According to DOT ratings you’ll spend about $6,750 more in fuel costs over a 5-year period than the average new vehicle.

That tax and extras like a Burmeister Premium Sound system, an Active Distance Assistance Distronic that automatically keeps you at a set distance from a vehicle in front of you, a couple of other stand-alone options, and a $995 destination and delivery charge ran the total of my test vehicle to $174, 665.

As I said, not a vehicle for everybody.

What I liked about the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster: They had me at “convertible.” The interior is lush with high quality materials as expected from the brand. The performance, of course, is breathtaking and everything you could ask for.

What I didn’t like about the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster: Somehow, the Germans keep coming up with ideas to make operation of their plentiful technology even more complicated. Maybe I’m in the minority but I don’t think a touchpad on the console is the way to go for automotive vehicles. You can easily trigger a change if your hand drifts when reaching for the cupholder. The ride can be very noisy even with the top up, but it’s not from the wind. The engine roar tends to drown out normal conversations on the highway.

Would I buy the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster? Certainly not for everyday use, that’s for sure. This is an automotive extravagance that is far beyond even my usual automotive dreams. But if you have a high six-figure budget for a weekend performance car, this certainly is one that should be on your list.

2020 AMG GLC43 UPS PERFORMANCE

FOR THIS POPULAR MERCEDES SUV

Introduced as a replacement for the midsize GLK-Class, the GLC-Series has become the most popular SUV in the Mercedes-Benz stable in just four years, outselling even the company’s much-admired, entry-level C-Class sedans and coupes.

Also available as a coupe, GLC-Series sales in the U.S. were 73,650 for 2019, up 5.6 percent over 2018 numbers and over 24,000 more units than the C-Class, the company reported.

Though not quite due for a redesign, the 2020 GLC gets several mid-cycle updates that include new front and rear bumpers, redesigned LED taillights, a more powerful 4-cylinder base engine, the company’s new MBUX infotainment system, and special design elements to give it an updated look that includes LED headlights as standard and a new front grille.

It comes in five trim levels starting with the base GLC300 with rear-wheel drive and GLC300 4MATIC, the company’s all-wheel-drive system. An electric power train is offered on the GLC350e, while the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and GLC63 serve as high performance, gas models.

This review is based on the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 that carries a base MSRP of $59,500.

The AMG GLC43 is equipped with a 3.0-liter, biturbo V6 engine that is rated at 385 horsepower — and increase of 23 hp over previous years — and 384 pound-feet of torque compared to the 255/273 horsepower/torque you get from the 4-banger in the 300.

If that isn’t enough for you, the turbocharged 4.0-liter in the AWD AMG GLC63 delivers 469 hp with a peak torque of 479.

You pay for that in mileage, of course. The AMG GLC43 has EPA figures of only 18 miles-per-gallon city, 24 highway, and 21 combined — using premium fuel, of course.

The AMG GLC43 scoots from zero-to-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, according to company clockers, who caught the AMG GLC63 in 3.8 seconds. MSRP for the AMG CLC63 starts at about the same level that a well-equipped AMG GLC43 does, so if that second means that much to you, have at it!

The biturbo V6 in the GLC43 is mated to an AMG Speedshift 9-speed transmission, and an AMG sport-tuned suspension and AMG-enhanced braking system are standard. You can choose from five driving modes — Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual and Slippery.

The AMG GLC43’s interior is full-on luxury with high quality materials throughout and standard sport seats offering support to both the driver and front-seat passenger. The AMG Performance Steering Wheel features Nappa leather with a perforated grip area. It has a nice hefty feel to it for confident maneuvering.

If you can’t get comfortable in here, you just can’t get comfortable.

Automatic dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android, are among convenience features, and AMG illuminated sill plates add a nice touch to the interior.

Safety systems in addition to the usual seat belts and airbags include Active Brake Assist and Adaptive Braking technology and blind-spot warning.

Options and packages on my test AMG GLC43 included Driver Assistance (Active Steering Assist, Lane-keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Evasive Steering Assist, and Active Emergency Stop Assist), 21-inch, AMG split 10-spoke wheels,  AMG Performance Exhaust system, and a Parking Assist program featuring a surround-view camera and hands-free parking.

The saddle brown/black leather interior added $1,620 and the panorama sunroof $1,500 to the bottom line. 

All that totaled out to $74,075 for the test vehicle.

What I liked about the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 SUV: The interior is spacious and luxurious though a bit more than the 37.3 inches of legroom for backseat passengers would be nice. Designers have incorporated the 10.25-inch touchscreen more into the flow of the dash that on some earlier models looked like it had been stuck at the top of the center stack as an afterthought. You can turn off the automatic Stop/Start system by pushing a button on the console.

What I didn’t like about the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 SUV: The new MBUX touch system for infotainment takes some getting used to, at least more than a week for anyone who is an inveterate surfer on the audio system (though the system does respond to “Hey, Mercedes” requests quickly). Some may be annoyed by the pounding exhaust tones, especially when sportier setups are engaged.

Would I buy the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 SUV? I would like it better with a less fussy infotainment system, but other than that this is one of the best in a very competitive class.

G-WAGEN RETAINS ICONIC LOOKS AFTER FIRST FULL UPDATE IN FOUR DECADES

Frankly, you can’t tell much of a difference at first glance, and maybe even second or third, but for the first time in 40 years Mercedes-Benz has put its iconic G-Class SUV through a myriad of updates and changes for 2019.

Yes, it still has the boxy profile reminiscent of the 1950s era Willys Jeep Wagon my grandfather once owned, and its aggressive stance and in-your-face front fascia still pays homage to its military roots. (It was developed as a military conveyance at a suggestion by the Shah of Iran back in the 1970s. He never really got to use it, but that’s another story.)

You’re not going to confuse the G-Wagon with say the more gentile GLC, GLE, or GLS SUV/Crossovers out of the German automaker’s stable. If you want an idea of what polarizing styling can look like in an automotive vehicle, you still may have no better example than the Mercedes G-Class

Most of the updates have gone toward making it even more impressive in the way of performance.

It is more rigid than its predecessor with a body shell of various grades of steel and the generous use of aluminum for the hood, doors, and fenders for a weight-saving of around 375 pounds.

An extra 2.1 inches in length and 2.5 inches in width give occupants 1.5 inches more legroom and 1.5 inches of shoulder room up front and an addition 5.9 inches of legroom in the second row.

The G-Wagen, as it is more familiarly known, comes in four trim levels starting with the G550 and topping out with the G550 4x4². My test vehicle for the week was one of two models getting AMG treatment, the AMG G63, the other being the AMG G63.

Among other touches, the AMG G63 gets distinctive styling elements with an AMG-specific radiator grille, flared wheel arches, side pipes for the exhaust system, and wheels up to 22-inches in diameter.

A handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine replaces the 5.5-liter biturbo V8 in the previous G63. It generates 577 horsepower and a whopping 627 pound-feet of torque ranging between 2500 and 3500 rpm.

That engine is mated to an AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission that can be shifted manually via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters or run as a automatic in Comfort, Sport, or Sport-Plus modes.

As you know doubt suspect from the AMG designation, the overall setup is performance-oriented with a top speed of 137 mph or 149 with the AMG Driver’s Package.

Fuel economy figures fall into the you-don’t-really-want-to-know category. They weren’t even available for my test AMG G63, but the numbers provided by the government for the G550 are 13 miles-per-gallon city, 17 highway, and 14 combined, using premium, of course.

The AMG G63 gets numerous standard features expected in a luxury vehicle, like push-button start, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, multicolor ambient lighting, rain-sensing windshield wipers (that often pause and then go like crazy), active lane-keeping assist (sometimes too active), blind-spot assist, a rearview camera, a 12.3-inch screen for the COMAND system, and parking assist included in the base price of $147,500.

What you don’t get are usual luxury features like keyless entry (you have to push a button the key fob to unlock the doors), a power liftgate, and a surround-view camera that actually is of use.

You also get doors that won’t close without some effort.

The Cardinal Red Metallic paint job added $2,300 and the “Black Flame Open-Pore Ash Wood trim” another $1,300 to the base MSRP of my test G63, but there was no charge for the black Nappa Leather interior. How generous!

The extras didn’t stop there. The optional Interior Design Package that includes a Nappa leather dash and multi-contour seats with massage function plus an AMG Performance steering wheel, carbon-fiber engine cover, and a 12.3-inch wide instrument cluster ran the total to $166,095 including the $995 destination and delivery charge.

That puts the G-Wagen in rare air for sure.

What I liked about the 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63: Despite its size, this is no lumbering elephant going through town or cruising the highway. It is almost a second faster than its predecessor in getting from zero-to-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. 

What I didn’t like about the 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63: Getting in and out of the G-Wagen can be a chore. The running boards are so narrow to be barely helpful. I’ve gotten used to the COMAND system for infotainment functions, but there are much easier ways to adjust audio, climate control, and navigation systems. Rather than give you a picture of what is around you, like another car, the surround-view camera gives you a depiction in graph form, which is not as useful.

Would I buy the 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63? In a word, no. I can think of better places to put down high six figures for a vehicle. But if you just won the lottery or hit it big as a hedge fund manager and want a vehicle that stands out from the crowd, the AMG G63 could be for you!

NOTHING RAISES THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT MORE THAN TIME IN A 2019 AMG CLS 53 COUPE

Travel during the holidays, especially if it involves flying, can be especially trying, tiring, and frustrating, so as an auto reviewer it’s nice to know that a new vehicle will be waiting at the local Park-N-Fly when I get home.

Like on my recent return from a visit to my daughter’s for Christmas.

A text earlier in the day before we left on our return flight home had informed me that the car would be waiting for me courtesy of my friendly press fleet fleet folks.

Frankly, knowing that any vehicle would be there helps ease the pain of sitting three hours on a jam-packed airplane and then negotiating the looonnngggg American Airlines concourse at Miami International with a carryon bag that seemed to have gained a few pounds since it was last packed.

That it was a new 2019 AMG CLS 53 was a bonus.

The 53-Series is new model to CLS Coupe, E-Class Coupe, and E-Class Cabriolet models in the Mercedes-Benz stable for 2019.

The AMG CLS 53 is top-of-the-line among the other CLS offerings (450 Coupe and 450 4MATIC) and, as the AMG designation suggests, is the most performance-oriented of the group.

Its 3.0-liter, gas turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine is tuned for 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of peak torque and it gets another 21 hp and 184 from the new EQ Boost auxiliary power system.

The EQ Boost starter-alternator in electric motor fitted between the engine and the transmission which, among other functions, provides mild hybrid functions like helping boost fuel mileage to a respectable 21 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway, and 23 combined.

But wait! There’s more!

The EQ Boost system also smooths out restarts after the stop-start system is engaged when you come to a complete stop, making the transition and restart barely noticeable. 
And EQ Boost provides for a quicker increase in acceleration by eliminating turbo lag, a common characteristic with turbocharged engines.

With a 9-speed automatic transmission and Mercedes-Benz’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the company says the AMG CLS 53 will scoot from zero-to-60 mph in an estimated 4.4 seconds.

Five drive modes are offered to alter driving characteristics to your preferences. Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport-plus, and Individual operate as an automatic, and you may also select gears manually via paddle shifters by pressing the “M” button on the center console.

Performance is not the only area where the CLS 53 stands out. Its looks are stunning, Starting with its famed, large 3-point start in the center of a new black lattice pattern grille and continuing with its slick profile and its chromed-tipped exhaust pipes, the styling is both aggressive and refined.


Magnificent is probably the best word to describe the interior. The plush leather seats coddle your back and bottom, and multi-color ambient lighting enhances the visual experience. Setting the driving mode in Comfort yields a quiet, comfortable, sure ride while Sport and Sport-plus add to the overall experience with sharp notes from the dual quad exhaust when gearing down.

A 12.3-inch panoramic display screen dominates at the top of the center stack providing a wide view for operation of technological features like standard navigation, audio, and dual-zone climate control off the touchpad controller or knob at the center of the console. This is not a touchscreen, which too often can become blurred with unsightly fingerprints especially in sunlight.

Mercedes brands the AMG CLS 53 as a coupe, which is a subject for some discussion. Sharp observers among you notice it comes with four doors, which has become associated with a sedan versus the coupe’s traditional two doors.

But the profile fits a more couple-like sleekness than a sedan, and past models seated only four as is typical of the coupe class. Frankly it is an issue not worth quibbling over. If the Germans say it’s a coupe, it’s a coupe!

The AMG CLS 53 carries a base MSRP of $79,900, but the $995 destination and delivery charge quickly gets the price over the $80,000 mark, and the addition of packages and options can get the final tab into six figures.

My test AMG CLS 53 came with several extras with the three most expensive $4,550 for the Burmeister 3D Surround Sound system; $2,990 for AMG Magna Gray/ Espresso Brown leather upholstery; and $2,250 for a suite of safety features that included steering assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist (which can be a bit overly aggressive at times), blind-spot assist, and more.

All that ran the total to $103,010. Yes, I agree that’s a lot. Since I rarely buy lotto tickets, I’m just going to hope that I may already be a winner in the Publisher’s Sweepstakes.

What I liked about the 2019 AMG CLS 53: What's not to like? It offers amazing performance in a luxurious package with the highest quality cabin around. The addition of buttons on the center stack help simplify operation of the COMAND infotainment system, and the wide display screen is great for navigation.

What I didn't like about the 2019 AMG CLS 53: Watch your head! The roofline that gives the CLS its coupe-like profile also can make getting in a bit tricky. It's not overly difficult, but you need to pay attention. I found sticking my butt in first and swinging both feet around made it more manageable than putting my left leg in first as I am accustomed to doing.

Would I buy the 2019 AMG CLS 53? In a heartbeat. The only downer is the small trunk (11.9 cubic feet) typical of coupes.