Driven: 2025 Mercedes-AMG G63 Makes No Sense Until You Drive It

There are two strategies to strategy a car just like the 2025 Mercedes-AMG G63: you should use a rational thoughts to judge it, or achieve this with an emotional coronary heart. The rational thoughts says this automobile is hideously costly, constructed with off-road functionality nobody will ever use, and filled with luxurious facilities regardless of being initially designed for army use. The emotional coronary heart ignores the juxtaposition of a six-figure luxurious off-roader, as an alternative specializing in the enduring styling, the brutish twin-turbocharged V8, and the sinister facet pipe exhaust. It is simply so gosh darn cool. To precisely overview the G63, we have to take somewhat mind, somewhat emotion, and mix them up right into a verdict.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also referred to as the G-Wagon (truly G-Wagen, which is brief for Geländewagen, which means cross-country car), is among the many most iconic autos on sale immediately, having been first launched again in 1979. Mercedes did not formally begin promoting the G-Wagon in the US till 2002, at which level it grew to become an on the spot hit amongst Beverly Hills and Hollywood royalty. The ‘first-generation’ mannequin lasted all the way in which as much as 2018, at which level it was changed by an all-new, however equally styled mannequin that also used the identical inner designation, W463.

That second-generation G-Wagon is now in its sixth mannequin yr, and it has acquired some large updates for the 2025 mannequin yr. For the primary time within the US market, the bottom mannequin is no longer powered by a V8 engine (now an inline-six) and there’s an all-electric variant called the G 580 with EQ Technology. These variants are reviewed individually, so on this overview we’ll give attention to the flagship mannequin, the AMG G63. Is it nonetheless the final word iteration of the G-Wagon? And is it well worth the sizable value premium over different luxurious off-road autos? We spent per week with the AMG G-Class to search out out.

Exterior Appears to be like: An Evolving Icon

It might not seem like it from the surface, however the second-generation G-Class is a ground-up redesign, solely maintaining the headlight washers, door handles, and spare wheel cowl. The brand new G is 2.1 inches longer and three inches wider than its predecessor with almost an inch and a half extra floor clearance. Within the fashionable period of strict crash laws and gasoline economic system targets, it is laborious to imagine Mercedes might design a car that appears so true to the unique. There are some refined exterior enhancements, corresponding to a revised windshield encompass to cut back wind noise at freeway speeds, nevertheless it’s nonetheless extra noticeable than a crossover with a contemporary form. For consumers who need extra basic, utilitarian model, Mercedes will introduce a brand new special edition called the Stronger Than The 1980s.

G-Wagon clients love to face out, which is why this mannequin gives extra customization than a median Mercedes. There are 12 normal colours and 25 Manufaktur ones, together with some outrageously shiny choices like Solar Yellow ($1,750) and our tester’s Signature Hyper Blue Magno Matte ($6,500). These 37 colours could be mixed with 11 completely different wheels, AMG Night time Packages ($2,350 – $4,450), an AMG Carbon Fiber Package deal ($7,900), Darkish Chrome Package deal ($3,500), and different exterior customization choices. The G63 can also be accessible with an AMG Offroad Package deal Professional ($13,450) that brings in a roof rack, rear mud flaps, a black underguard, and extra, or our tester’s AMG Efficiency Package deal that provides purple brake calipers and different efficiency enhancements.

You may spot a G63 from an ordinary G550 by way of its Panamericana grille with vertical slots, which differ from the horizontal slots on the non-AMG mannequin. The G63 additionally rides on unique wheels, which aren’t accessible on the G550. If none of that’s sufficient, the G63 will get an epic-looking side-pipe exhaust system, which can or could not heat the legs of any passengers who must hop within the again seat.

Inside & On-Board Expertise: New College Utilitarian

Mercedes up to date the G-Wagon’s inside for the 2025 mannequin yr, making it extra inline with the remainder of the lineup. This features a new twin-spoke steering wheel with touch-capacitive controls, which we dislike in comparison with the outgoing wheel with extra bodily controls. The remainder of the cabin stays principally the identical with a couple of additions: an accessible rear seat leisure system, up to date MBUX infotainment, normal wi-fi charging pad, 360 digital camera system with clear hood, heated/cooled cupholders, and revised inside lighting.

In case the outside customization does not go deep sufficient, Mercedes gives a whopping 37 inside coloration choices with seven completely different trims. Prospects can then add varied packages to get multicontour therapeutic massage seats, Nappa leather-based with diamond stitching, and extra. For the best class of consumers who wish to verify each choice field, there is a Manufaktur Full Leather-based Package deal that prices $16,000, masking almost your entire inside from the seats to the roof in cow conceal. Even the trunk could be personalized with a cherry wooden flooring for $2,400.

Although the inside dimensions are high quality on paper, the G-Wagon’s cabin is clearly compromised resulting from its boxy form, ladder body building, and off-road functionality. The entrance seat place could really feel cramped for taller occupants and the rear seats are tighter than the numbers would possibly counsel. There is a respectable quantity of house within the trunk, however folding down the rear seats requires homeowners to first flip up the seat bottoms, like an old-school SUV. Some consumers could desire the superior ergonomics of a Mercedes-Benz GLE.

We will not transfer on with out mentioning the doorways, which have an old school latch that produces a satisfying “click on” each time you open or shut them. These doorways are so satisfying to make use of, some individuals buy a G-Wagon simply to have them. The cabin is so well-insulated, there are literally vents within the again to let loose air because the doorways slam shut.

 

Infotainment: Good Center Floor

Although the G-Wagon receives an up to date MBUX infotainment system for the 2025 mannequin yr, it is not the most recent system present in another Mercedes fashions. We do not love the contact capacitive steering wheel controls, however we appreciated that the G-Class nonetheless has a decrease touchpad and bodily local weather controls, in contrast to current Mercedes fashions that put all of the controls on the touchscreen. The twin 12.3-inch shows are linked to a Burmester 3D encompass sound system as normal, which sounds excellent. Patrons can add a rear leisure system with two screens for $2,990, however we would possible skip this selection.

 

Efficiency: Truck + Racecar

The G-Wagon, particularly the G63, is a rolling contradiction. On the one hand, it is an off-road-capable SUV with three locking differentials, an Off-Highway Cockpit, and a low-range switch case. And on the opposite, it is a luxurious efficiency car with Race Begin launch management, hydraulic roll management suspension, and side-pipe exhaust. This mix shouldn’t work, as these capabilities diametrically oppose one another. But, in some unfathomable means, the G63 breaks all conventions; it is astonishing to drive.

Efficiency Impressions

Stuffing an AMG-tuned V8 into an old-school SUV is a recipe for uncontrollable dealing with, however the geniuses over at Mercedes discovered a solution to tame the beast. The G63 now options Race Begin for the primary time, propelling the G63 as much as 60 mph in 3.97 seconds in our testing. It does not depart the road easily, it squirms and wiggles as if the engine desires to take off with out the remainder of the automobile. You may really feel the chassis twisting and flexing, however the intelligent launch management software program retains all of it planted on the bottom and in a single piece. It is frankly hilarious.

And since that is nonetheless a Mercedes, you get a large number of drive modes that may be configured for consolation, making you fully overlook that is the AMG G-Wagon. Underneath regular situations, the engine is quiet and fades into the background. Then, with the press of a button, you may open up these facet pipe exhausts and unleash a deep growl that seems like Darth Vader screaming.

Trip and Dealing with

Our tester featured the AMG Efficiency Package deal ($4,400), which provides AMG Energetic Trip Management with hydraulic roll stabilization in addition to a high velocity enhance to 147 mph (up from 137 mph). Hydraulic suspension may appear foolish in this type of car, nevertheless it defies physics to nearly remove physique roll via the corners utilizing the 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It is really magic. This suspension setup can also be accessible on the AMG Off-Highway Package deal ($13,450) should you desire a rugged-looking G63 over a sporty one. This newest G-Wagon now incorporates a rack and pinion steering system, not a recirculating ball just like the outgoing one. It’s miles much less exact than different AMG fashions, nevertheless it not seems like you might be piloting V8-powered industrial tools. The general driving expertise is akin to an old-school, body-one-frame SUV, however one which has been closely refined for the fashionable period.

Gasoline Financial system

You may’t stuff a brutish V8 engine right into a car formed like a home and nonetheless hope to realize excessive effectivity. The G63 achieves simply 13 mpg within the metropolis, 16 mpg on the freeway, and 14 mpg mixed whereas requiring premium gasoline. That is decrease than even the supercharged V8 Land Rover Defender (14/19/16 mpg). The inline-six-powered G550 is barely higher at 13/16/14 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed and Mercedes additionally gives the all-electric G 580 with EQ Expertise with a 239-mile driving vary.

Verdict & Pricing: Solely One G

There’s nothing else fairly like a G-Wagon available on the market; Mercedes is aware of it, and expenses appropriately. The G63 begins at $186,000 even, and our tester rang in at $219,300 after choices and a $1,150 vacation spot and dealing with price. That is considerably greater than the six-cylinder G550 ($148,250) and the electrical G 580 ($161,500), which can be a drop within the bucket for rich consumers who need the final word flagship G-Class.

There are SUVs that supply comparable functionality and styling for a a lot lower cost, together with the Lexus GX, Land Rover Defender, and the Ineos Grenadier. Nonetheless, none of those choices fairly match the G-Wagon’s efficiency (on-road and off-road), distinctive building, and stage of luxurious and customization. As we stated to start with of this overview, should you purchase a automobile with a rational thoughts, any of those alternate options will get you fairly near a G-Class for a fraction of the value. However if you’re utilizing an emotional coronary heart to buy a automobile, the G-Wagon stands above the remainder.