The key thing about the Mercedes-Benz/AMG G-Class is that it must look and feel like it’s straight out of the 1970s. That’s its reason for being, its biggest appeal to loyal owners, and if that doesn’t really make sense... so be it. It doesn’t have to, because the Gelandewagen (that’s what the “G” is for, meaning “cross country wagen”) is a hand-built piece of super-expensive rolling 4x4 heritage.
MERCEDES-AMG G 63: Powertrain 4.0-litre biturbo petrol V8, 48-volt mild hybrid system, 9-speed automatic, AWD Output 430kW/850Nm (plus ISG 15kW/200Nm) Efficiency 14.7l/100km (3P-WLTP) Size 4881mm long, 2550kg Price $343,900.
It must embody the 1970s, but the G-Class can change when it needs to - as long as it's not too obvious. So meet the “new” (ha ha) one, ostensibly still the fourth-generation version launched in 2018 but with a bunch of mechanical and electronic upgrades to better justify its eye-watering price in a 2025 world. There's even a pure-electric one on the way, although we're sticking with the monster V8 here.
The lesser Mercedes-Benz G-versions are undoubtedly the more authentic ones, but the monstrous flagship Mercedes-AMG G 63 has been the most popular of the model line globally for quite some time. That's Hollywood!
And that’s what you see here, now with a mild-hybrid version of AMG’s familiar 4.0-litre biturbo engine that makes 430kW/850Nm, carrying an integrated starter-generator that can add up to 15kW/200Nm. It improves efficiency (ha ha again) and brings an even smoother power delivery.
An AMG Ride Control air suspension system is standard and thanks to the new 48-volt power system you can even have AMG Active Ride Control, which virtually eliminates body roll, as an option.
Inside, the G-Class has a heavily upgraded dashboard and infotainment system featuring the latest Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) operating system, a massive step up from the slightly archaic (but not in a good G-Class kind of way) setup of the previous model. This one has augmented-reality sat-nav, a full touch screen and wireless phone projection.
Also new is the Offroad Cockpit, a one-touch function (above the three locking differential controls) that brings up all the 4x4 stuff on the big screen, including displays for the eight drive modes. The exterior cameras can create Transparent Bonnet, so you can see the terrain you’re driving over “through” the car on the main display.
Did we say three locking diffs? Make no mistake, the ladder-frame G-Class is still Mercedes-Benz’s ultimate 4x4 machine, although it has to be said the G 63 with its 22-inch alloys and 9-ratio AMG Speedshift transmission is the least capable of the line in the rough stuff. But still more capable than any crossover SUV you’d care to name.
You’ll naturally want to know how to spot the new G 63. Good luck with that. There are revised air intakes on the bonnet with triple louvres, a new bonnet badge with the AMG crest, new A-pillar cladding and a tiny spoiler at the rear of the roof.
The AMG Night Package is standard for New Zealand, with lots of things blacked out. And for even more things blacked-out you can have Night Package II ($4000), as fitted to our car: badges, running boards and even the side exhaust tips. The black door handles with their old-school push-button latches also get little “G” logos embossed on them, which means you get little G-logos embossed on your thumbs when you open the car.
This is the first-ever G-Class to have keyless lock/unlock (incredible, right?), although you still have to press the big G-button to open the door. And slam it when you’re in. Really slam it. It’s a G-thing.
All G-Class models are built in Austria, but being a high-end model it’s also a prime candidate for the products and services of its maker’s recently expanded Manufaktur personalisation division in Sindelfingen, Germany (also known as the home of the S-Class). Our test car carried a bit of bespoke-promo with its stunning Olive Magno paint colour, a Manufaktur option at $13,900.
At the end of the day, the G-Class is now even more wonderfully absurd. Lots of the contrived retro exterior detail, like the top-mounted indicators, exposed roof gutters (they’re not really gutters) and external door hinges, are totally unnecessary and actually more complicated to engineer into a modern car than, well, modern things. But this is the G-Class way.
Same goes for the driving experience. The V8 makes an unholy noise in Sport+ (you go straight there of course) and is not a lot more socially responsible when you wind it right down to Comfort.
The nose rises up when you accelerate, like an offshore powerboat racer (no, it doesn’t really have to do that) and the chassis does a great impression of struggling for traction and stability in fast corners; partly an illusion to up the excitement level, because it’s carrying the very latest in AMG safety systems. It just wants you to feel like you’re on the edge, although this is also a brutally fast machine: 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds is not bad for a big, green high-rise apartment block.
What fun. You’re probably alarmed by the option prices, but we’ve actually saved the best for last: with the G 63, you’re up for $343,900 before you even start. It’s a very particular thing for very particularly wealthy people/lunatics. But what fun.
What are the key statistics for the Mercedes-AMG G63?
The big change is the addition of mild hybrid technology to the AMG 4.0-litre biturbo engine. Mercedes-AMG does quote combined outputs, but the hybrid starter-generator can add up to 15kW/200Nm to the V8's 430kW850Nm.
The G 63 has a 9-speed automatic and AWD with the full range of off-road drive modes. It's a serious 4x4.
Is the Mercedes-AMG G 63 efficient?
Not in the least. The hybrid tech helps, but nobody buys a G 63 to be sustainable. The official figure of 14.7l100km is really just a dream (maybe on a slow trip). We averaged 24.7l/100m in our week and we weren't being silly; well, not that silly.
Is the Mercedes-AMG G 63 good to drive?
In a crude way, yes. It hilarious. It's all sound and a fury and there's a kind-of engineered-in instability to the chassis that makes it feel more edgy than it needs to. In reality it's tremendously grippy and stable because it has all Mercedes-AMG's latest chassis and active safety technology.
Is the Mercedes-AMG G 63 practical?
In relative terms, not really. It's not as spacious as you might think for something so chunky and tall, although it's hardly cramped. It's all about theat 1970s ambience.
What do we like about the Mercedes-AMG G 63?
The sheer determination of Mercedes-AMG to continue with the retro look and vibe, the incredible performance and exhaust noise, the G's continued status and ability as a top-notch 4x4 machine.
What don’t we like about the Mercedes-AMG G 63?
The price seems crazy even by Mercedes-AMG standards, the thirst is extreme even with mild hybrid tech on board, it's easy to make the G 63 just too blingy.
What kind of person would the Mercedes-AMG G 63 suit?
An A-list Hollywood movie star or indeed any ultra-wealthy buyer who can afford to have this incredible piece of work as a weekend plaything.