Yes, a Drifting SUV Is Real Now

There is something inherently absurd about a five-thousand-pound luxury SUV sliding sideways through a corner with smoke pouring from its rear tires. Mercedes-AMG knows this. The engineers in Affalterbach know this. And yet they have built exactly that capability into the latest AMG GLE 63 S, complete with a dedicated drift mode accessible through the drive mode selector. After spending a day with the system on a closed circuit, the most surprising revelation is not that it exists but that it actually works brilliantly.

The drift mode feature is part of a broader dynamics update to the 2026 AMG GLE 63 S, which also includes recalibrated adaptive dampers, a revised rear-axle steering system, and updated software for the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system. But the drift mode is the headline feature, and Mercedes knows it will generate conversation, which is precisely the point.

How the System Works

Activating drift mode requires a deliberate sequence of inputs that prevents accidental engagement. The driver must first select Race mode through the AMG Dynamic Select controller, then press and hold the ESP button for three seconds, and finally confirm the selection through a prompt on the central infotainment display. Once activated, the system fundamentally reconfigures the vehicle's powertrain and chassis behavior.

In drift mode, the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ system decouples the front axle entirely, sending 100 percent of the engine's output to the rear wheels through the electronically controlled limited-slip differential. The stability control system does not switch off completely. Instead, it moves to a highly permissive setting that allows sustained oversteer while maintaining a safety net that prevents the car from spinning completely.

The Technical Details

  • Power delivery: The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 produces 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, all routed to the rear axle in drift mode.
  • Differential behavior: The electronic limited-slip differential locks aggressively to maintain rotation during sustained slides, distributing torque between the left and right rear wheels based on steering angle and yaw rate.
  • Throttle mapping: The throttle response is recalibrated for more linear delivery, making it easier to modulate power mid-drift rather than dealing with an aggressive on-off characteristic.
  • Steering calibration: The rear-axle steering system locks in a neutral position to provide more predictable rotation characteristics during oversteer conditions.

On the Track: First Impressions

Mercedes invited journalists to test the drift mode at the Bilster Berg circuit in Germany, a demanding track with significant elevation changes and a variety of corner types. The conditions were ideal for testing: dry pavement, mild temperatures, and fresh Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires mounted on all four corners.

The first thing you notice when drift mode engages is how differently the GLE 63 S responds to throttle input. With all power going to the rear, the massive SUV becomes surprisingly playful. Apply throttle aggressively through a second-gear corner and the rear end steps out predictably, initiating a slide that can be sustained with careful right-foot modulation. The steering becomes a balancing tool rather than a direction-setting device, and the sensation of controlling a vehicle this large through opposite lock is genuinely exhilarating.

The Learning Curve

Drifting any vehicle requires practice, and drifting one that weighs more than 5,300 pounds demands patience. The GLE 63 S has enormous rotational inertia, which means transitions between left and right slides happen slowly and require deliberate weight transfer. The upside of this mass is that once a drift is established, it feels stable and sustainable. There is none of the twitchy unpredictability that characterizes lighter rear-drive sports cars at the limit.

After about ten laps, a rhythm develops. Brake hard into the corner, trail the brake to rotate the nose, then apply power progressively to swing the rear around. The electronic safety net intervenes subtly if the slide angle becomes too extreme, gently reducing power rather than cutting it abruptly. This graduated intervention gives the driver confidence to push harder without fear of a sudden snap into a spin.

Is It a Gimmick?

The obvious question is whether drift mode in an SUV is anything more than a marketing exercise. On one level, it clearly is. Most GLE 63 S owners will never take their vehicles to a track, and drifting on public roads is illegal and dangerous. Mercedes knows that the vast majority of these SUVs will spend their lives shuttling families to school and navigating suburban traffic.

But there is a deeper purpose at work. Drift mode is a statement of engineering capability, a demonstration that AMG can make even a large, heavy SUV perform in ways that defy expectations. It reinforces the AMG brand identity as the performance division of Mercedes-Benz and gives buyers a tangible reason to choose the 63 S over the less expensive 53 model. In a segment where bragging rights matter, being able to say your SUV has a factory drift mode carries weight.

The Broader Trend

Mercedes is not alone in adding playful dynamics features to vehicles that would not traditionally warrant them. BMW offers a drift analyzer in the M5 that scores and records your slides. Porsche's Cayenne Turbo GT has a track-focused suspension mode that dramatically sharpens its handling. Even Ford's Mustang Mach-E Rally includes a rally mode designed for loose-surface fun. The common thread is that performance brands are finding creative ways to justify premium pricing by offering experiences that extend beyond straight-line speed.

The Verdict

The AMG GLE 63 S drift mode is absurd, theatrical, and entirely unnecessary for daily driving. It is also brilliantly executed, genuinely fun, and a testament to what modern vehicle dynamics engineering can achieve. If you have access to a track and a set of tires you do not mind destroying, the drifting SUV delivers an experience that will leave you grinning. Whether that experience alone justifies the GLE 63 S's estimated price tag north of $130,000 is a question only your bank account can answer.