18 MPG combined is what you’d expect and accept from the 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63 E Performance. This isn’t a car bought by those who worry about fuel receipts; it’s a statement, an example of powerful, electrified aggression veiled in S-Class luxury. The 4.0L twin-turbo V8, with a potent electric motor, delivers relentless, quick acceleration that inherently demands premium unleaded. For the driver who wants to dominate every road and arrive with an unparalleled sense of occasion, this 18 MPG figure is a trivial line item on a much more significant ledger of performance, luxury, and technological prowess. This is the top of the AMG sedan offering, and its consumption is a consequence of extraordinary capability.

City and highway performance

Looking at the EPA ratings, the 2025 AMG S63 E Performance achieves 15 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. The city figure, while seemingly low, benefits significantly from the E Performance hybrid system. In stop-and-go traffic or at lower speeds, the electric motor can handle a considerable portion of the propulsion, effectively masking the V8’s inherent thirst. Mercedes-AMG’s engineers didn’t just add a battery; they integrated it smoothly to provide torque fill, immediate response, and a limited electric-only driving range for short urban stints. This means that while the V8 is always ready to unleash its fury, those urban crawls can be surprisingly refined and less fuel-intensive than a purely ICE-driven performance sedan of this caliber. The 23 MPG highway rating shows the 9-speed automatic transmission and the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the S-Class body, even in AMG guise. At cruising speeds, the engine operates in its most efficient range, and the electric motor can disengage or provide subtle assistance, ensuring that cross-country trips, while still expensive, are not as punishing at the pump as one might initially assume.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $3,200 for the 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG S63 E Performance. This figure comes from a standardized calculation: 15,000 miles of driving per year, split between city and highway driving (45% city, 55% highway), and using national average fuel prices for premium gasoline. For the typical owner of an AMG S63, this cost is a very small amount. The individual purchasing this vehicle is likely accustomed to a certain lifestyle where such expenses are simply part of the operational overhead. Their decision to buy is driven by power, prestige, and the sheer driving experience, not by a spreadsheet comparison of annual fuel bills. The $3,200 represents the cost of feeding a monster, and it’s a cost wealthy owners are willing to bear for the privilege of commanding its extraordinary performance.

Real-world expectations

In real-world driving, owners of the AMG S63 E Performance should prepare for variability around the EPA numbers. Aggressive driving, frequent use of the “Race” mode, and exploiting the full 802 hp combined output will inevitably push consumption towards and even below the 15 MPG city mark. This car begs to be driven hard, and its character is all about delivering exhilaration. Conversely, disciplined use of electric-only mode for short trips or careful, judicious throttle management on longer journeys can see figures hover closer to, or even momentarily exceed, the EPA ratings. For those who can charge at home and commute within its modest electric range for specific legs of their journey, the effective fuel consumption for that segment approaches zero. However, the quintessential AMG S63 E Performance experience involves liberal application of the right foot, making the EPA averages a good guideline, but one that is often surpassed in both positive and negative directions depending on driver urgency. This is a vehicle that rewards engagement, and that engagement often comes with a fuel penalty.

How it compares

When stacked against its direct rivals, the 2025 AMG S63 E Performance shows its unique hybrid advantage. A key competitor is the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, which, when similarly equipped for performance, often delivers comparable real-world efficiency figures, though its EPA combined rating can sometimes be slightly higher due to a different electric-to-ICE balance. The BMW M8 Gran Coupe, a pure ICE competitor, typically manages a combined 17 MPG. The Bentley Flying Spur V8, another luxury and performance sedan choice, generally hovers around 15 MPG combined. What sets the AMG S63 E Performance apart isn’t just its specific MPG figures but the way it achieves them, by integrating a plug-in hybrid system that delivers both prodigious power and the capacity for limited electric-only propulsion. This allows it to compete with pure ICE performance titans while offering a layer of efficiency and quiet operation that those vehicles cannot match. For more details on all Mercedes Benz fuel economy data, you can explore our listings, or dive specifically into AMG MPG across all years for a broader perspective.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Using the hybrid system is important. Make it a habit to charge the battery whenever possible, whether at home overnight or during opportune stops, this ensures you maximize the electric-only driving range available for low-speed urban travel.

Use the vehicle’s driving modes intelligently. “Comfort” mode will prioritize efficiency and smoother power delivery, allowing the hybrid system to operate more judiciously, while “Electric” mode is your key to zero-emission, zero-fuel short trips.

Practice smooth throttle application. While the S63 E Performance is built for exhilarating acceleration, gentle inputs and anticipating traffic flow can significantly reduce fuel consumption, particularly in mixed driving conditions.

Maintain optimal tire pressure. Correctly inflated tires minimize rolling resistance, a small but consistent factor in fuel economy that can be easily overlooked in a high-performance vehicle.

Minimize unnecessary weight. While likely not a primary concern for S-Class owners, removing heavy items from the trunk or cabin when not needed can contribute marginally to better efficiency, allowing the powerful powertrain to work slightly less hard.