2024 Mercedes-AMG G63

Overview

Think of the Mercedes-AMG G63 as the antidote to boredom. Based on the already stimulating Mercedes-Benz G-class (reviewed separately), it takes that slab-sided paramilitary ethos and injects a 577-hp twin-turbocharged V-8 along with the usual round of AMG tweaks to create an uber-G with a $180,000-plus base price to match. In terms of on-road speed, it's quicker than a Ford Bronco Raptor and even edged out the Cadillac Escalade V by a few tenths in our 60-mph testing. Yet it's still immensely capable off-road, with 9.5 inches of ground clearance, 20-inch wheels, and the fabled triple locking differentials making easy work of Rodeo Drive's most challenging expansion joints. The interior is a leather-lined and tech-rich container worthy of the Mercedes-AMG badge, but maintaining that boxy profile forces compromises, including a bolt-upright dash and less cargo room than you'd expect. An even wilder 4x4² model features a long-travel suspension, heavy-duty portal axles, and more than 13 inches of ground clearance for buyers with harder-to-satisfy automotive urges.

What's New for 2024?

The 2024 AMG G63 is a carryover model. A refreshed G-class with more aerodynamic styling and new powertrain choices is scheduled for 2025 to herald the arrival of the new EQG G-class EV. Mercedes-Benz hasn't yet revealed any specifics, but more efficient powertrains including a hybrid are possible.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Though every Mercedes-AMG G63 comes standard with 20-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, a front brush guard, leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, and three-zone climate control, most buyers consider the $184,000-plus base price the cost of a blank canvas. There are myriad customization options and it's a not-so-well-guarded secret that AMG will indulge buyer requests of nearly any nature as long as the check clears. That said, we'd opt for the Seat Comfort package (to get the multi-contour seats with ventilation and massage) and the AMG Trail package to unlock the proper tires for off-roading.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The G63 relies on a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine making 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic funnels torque to the all-wheel-drive system (4Matic in Mercedes marketing lingo) with low range and triple locking differentials (center, front and rear) to ensure maximum grip should the driver put a wheel off-road. No slouch, the 5800-pound G63 rocketed to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds in C/D testing, shaving more than a second off the time of its G550 sibling. The AMG treatment extends to the suspension, fine-tuning it to handle the extra power on-road while retaining off-road capability. While it's much improved over the previous generation's solid front axle setup, the G's stability control keeps a steady hand on this top-heavy brute, limiting it to 0.75 of grip on our 300-foot skidpad test.

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Towing and Payload Capacity

The G63 has a maximum towing capacity of 7000 pounds, and trailer stability assist software is included. Though it's improbable anyone would utilize a G63 as a primary tow vehicle, the capability is there if you need it.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Fuel efficiency is but an afterthought for the G63, a fact the EPA confirms with its 13-mpg city and 16-mpg highway estimates. On the plus side, the G63 matched its EPA highway rating of 16 mpg in C/D's 75-mpg highway fuel-economy test. For more information about G-class fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Although the G-class's basic square-shouldered profile remains, the interior benefits from the same high-quality materials, and tech and convenience accouterment that dot the Mercedes lineup. There's leather upholstery, a 12.0-inch digital instrument panel, cupholders and a surround-view camera system. Heated front and rear seats, and leather-bound AMG steering wheel also make the standard list. Taller drivers and passengers will find plenty of head- and legroom in both the front and rear. Around the back of the G-class, there's still no power liftgate, and you'll need to be in good shape to open the side-hinged gate, which has a full-size spare tire mounted on it. With the rear seats up, you'll have 38 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding them down (60/40 split) provides nearly 69 cubic feet.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

Each G63 includes a 12.3-inch infotainment interface with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and navigation as standard equipment. A Burmester surround sound system, three 12-volt power outlets and a household A/C outlet in the cargo area help keep things civil. Also included is a three-year subscription to Mercedes-Benz's connected car services, which provides basic features such as remote engine start and stolen vehicle tracking. Options include Wi-Fi and a rear entertainment system, which features dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, each of which has its own USB, auxiliary, and HDMI ports.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The Mercedes-AMG G63's driver-assistance aids are similar to the features offered elsewhere in the corporate lineup. It includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and blind-spot assist; curiously, the adaptive cruise control system does not offer extended restart capability in stop-and-go traffic, requiring a tap of the accelerator to resume movement if stopped longer than three seconds. For more information about the G-class's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking
• Standard lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Mercedes-AMG's limited and powertrain warranties are on par with other high-end SUVs. Instead of complimentary scheduled maintenance, however, there are prepaid maintenance plans available at extra cost when you purchase your G63.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications 

2019 Mercedes-AMG G63

VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE AS TESTED
$175,945 (base price: $148,495)

ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
243 cu in, 3982 cc
Power
577 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque
627 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm

TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/rigid axle
Brakes (F/R): 15.7-in vented, drilled disc/14.6-in vented, drilled disc
Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric SUV, 295/40R-22 112W MO

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.8 in
Length: 191.9 in
Width: 78.1 in
Height: 77.4 in
Passenger volume: 107 cu ft
Cargo volume: 16 cu ft
Curb weight: 5783 lb

C/D
TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 3.9 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.0 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 19.7 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.1 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.8 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.5 sec @ 110 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 161 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.75 g
*stability-control-inhibited

C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 12 mpg

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 14/13/15 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

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