Used Mercedes-AMG GT 2016-2023 review

Some sports car manufacturers seem to specialise in sheer speed, others in technological overkill, more still in producing fast cars that are surprisingly easy to drive and almost dainty in their driving manners, despite their great power and opulence.

With its Mercedes SLS, a 6.2-litre V8, gullwing-doored two-seater super-fast monster of extreme looks and extravagant proportions, not to mention unsubtle behaviour, Mercedes-AMG almost defined a new class of balls-out muscle-car: it spent most of its time sideways in an excess of enthusiastic zeal.

When the time came to produce a higher volume car, one that was smaller and easier to drive and a more realistic everyday proposition, this Mercedes-AMG GT took its cues from that exceptional car. It has a big engine at the front, the driver sits practically over the rear wheels and an automatic gearbox is your only choice.

Engines: Under that long bonnet is a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, a strong and punchy engine that delivers up 472bhp in the regular GT, 515bhp in the S model, 550bhp in the GT C and a colossal 577bhp in the GT R. All of them are astoundingly quick, of course, with even the cooking version capable of a 0 to 62mph time of just four seconds, and all of them emit a deep and thrilling tone that is in itself a rich part of the experience of driving a car like this.

Ride & handling: Approach a corner and the surprisingly light steering is quick, responsive and eager, and the grip levels deeply impressive. Its handling is flat and firm and well balanced, with hardly any body lean, and it’s possible to flick the car around rather in the manner of the older SLS, with a hint of tail-out action if wanted. It’s exciting stuff, even if it’s not quite as subtle as one or two of its rivals. Likewise, it rides firmly, and it can feel almost uncomfortable on lumpy and bumpy road surfaces.

Interior & practicality: Lower yourself into the cosseting interior and you’ll find an excellent but cramped for taller drivers driving position with plenty of electrical adjustment to the steering wheel.

The fit and finish looks first class, and the high centre console and polished display and huge buttons for some of the major and minor controls all up the sense of drama. It’s two-seat only in here, of course, and, while rear visibility isn’t actually bad, it’s quite difficult to see the front of the long bonnet. There is, however, a good-sized boot accessed via a practical rear hatch tailgate.

The AMG GT range, both coupe and Roadster, was facelifted in 2019, with, among other updates inherited from the new four-door version of the car, new lights, restyled bumpers, fully digital instruments, new wheel designs, a new infotainment system, an upgraded steering wheel and new traction and stability control software.

The replacing of the older models' rotary control for the infotainment with a 'thumbpad'-style arrangement, and the deletion of a number of the shortcut menu buttons from the system, do make the new set-up slightly less intuitive than it was.

If you're interested in finding a used Mercedes AMG-GT, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

Prices for a good AMG GT start at a tempting £47,000, this for a good early car with an average mileage for the year and a full service history, bought privately or from a trade seller. Cars with a below average mileage post-2018 will set you back between £50,000 and £70,000, especially if bought from a franchised dealer. The last 2022 and 2033 cars will set you back north of £70,000. Expect to pay similar, and more, up to £100,000, for the earlier examples of the higher-spec GTs, especially the R model.

MPG

The old saying is if you have to ask you can’t afford it. In fact, the regular GT claims an average fuel consumption of 30.4mpg under the older NEDC tests, and corresponding CO2 emissions of 216g/km, which isn’t so bad for a car of this class. The sportier versions can only claim around 20-24mpg.

Road tax

Cars registered before the tax changes of April 2017 came into place are taxed on CO2 output, and all versions of the AMG GT will cost you a lot. Those registered after will be charged at the cheaper base rate currently £190 a year, but they will attract a luxury tax surcharge applicable to all cars costing in excess of £40,000 new, as all AMG GTs do. This is currently £410 a year.

Insurance and servicing

Expect insurance groups to be of the highest, too, and large premiums. Servicing costs will be high, as AMG GTs demand regular maintenance and preferably carried out at an AMG specialist.

In its cheapest form, the AMG GT is rather fab. However, if it were up to us, we’d try and seek out a used GT C. This is more focused than the GT S and not as extreme as the GT R. With 550bhp it can hit 62mph from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds, and go on to a top speed of 196mph.

Our favourite Mercedes-AMG GT: GT C

The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car with a free-revving and quite delightful 5.2-litre V10 behind the driver. It’s a joy to use and a great car to drive. It’s also been around some time now so there are plenty of used examples to choose from.

The Porsche 911 is an evergreen classic. This rear-engined funster has been around since God was a child, and in its most up to date forms it’s seriously rapid, wonderfully grippy and yet also refined and comfortable. It also comes with the bonus of two rear seats. Not cheap, but probably worth it.

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If you're interested in finding a used AMG-GT, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.