Few correct off-roaders can match the Geländewagen’s vary. Regardless of its capability to sort out rugged trails out of the field, thanks partly to its body-on-frame construct, three locking differentials, and long-travel suspension, the G-Class can simply as simply crawl the streets of Beverly Hills with out wanting misplaced. It’s this versatility, its boxy seems, and its visibility as a standing image which have granted this SUV its icon standing.
Right this moment, the Mercedes-AMG G63 stays the flagship G-Class. And since the G580 is powered by batteries and the G550 by an inline-six, it’s additionally the one model of this off-roader supplied with eight cylinders below its hood. Nevertheless, whereas most G63s journey on rubber band tires and huge wheels, the one I’m on this week embraces a extra rugged method due to its non-compulsory $13,450 Offroad Bundle Professional improve.
With a roof rack, mud flaps, and a smaller 20-inch wheelset wrapped in additional off-road-focused tires, this G63 lastlyadopts an aesthetic that matches its capabilities. And as you’ll quickly study, it doesn’t sacrifice its on-road efficiency to do it.
The G-Class is in an odd spot for the time being. The G550 I drove a couple of weeks in the past left me lacking its discontinued V8 greater than loving the inline-six that changed it. The G580 I examined earlier than that proved to be a improbable first crack at a battery-powered G. But regardless of its large efficiency, intelligent off-road tech, and stellar journey high quality, new reviews counsel that it’s not flying off the cabinets fairly as Mercedes had hoped.
The truth that I needed to wait a bit to get into the brand new Mercedes-AMG G63 finally turned out to be a blessing in disguise. From the second you press its begin button and listen to its V8 rumble to once you hear the sound of its iconic door latch, the G63 appears like probably the most genuine G-Class on sale. Beginning at $187,250, together with a $1,150 vacation spot charge, it’s additionally the costliest, however extra on that later.
The Geländewagen is outlined by its capability to create a way of event, and that’s exactly the world the $13,450 Offroad Professional bundle improves. Like the remainder of the G-Class lineup, the G63 receives some refined exterior updates for the 2025 mannequin 12 months, with many of the adjustments residing in its restyled entrance and rear bumpers. The eagle-eyed amongst you may also discover that its rear-view digicam now sits above its license plate.
The Offroad Professional bundle forgoes any sense of subtlety. It begins with a steel roof rack full with a small ladder bolted to this truck’s rear quarter panel. Its spare wheel holder additionally will get upgraded from plastic to steel, sporting the identical textured black end as the remainder of the brand new gear. You’ll spot entrance and rear underguards adorning its bumpers and dust flaps positioned simply behind its 20-inch wheels.
This look fits the Geländewagen’s spirit completely, and very similar to the remainder of this SUV’s enchantment, you don’t have to go away paved roads to understand it. Merely put, it seems stellar. Even when you by no means pitch a tent on the roof or see how far its Common Grabber HTS rubber will take you, you’ll be able to nonetheless get pleasure from how this non-compulsory bundle takes an SUV with a powerful stylistic pull and strengthens its capability to attract you in.
The ultimate piece that makes up this non-compulsory bundle is maybe a very powerful: its inclusion of AMG’s Lively Experience Management suspension. Provided solely for the Mercedes-AMG G63, that is an lively system that depends on hydraulics somewhat than anti-roll bars to get rid of extra lateral physique motion. The suspension’s 4 dampers are hydraulically linked, with every damper that includes connections on each the damper and rebound sides.
As such, the system can reply immediately to bumps or highway undulations by adjusting every nook of the suspension independently. The result’s a tall SUV that weighs 5,842 kilos however nonetheless manages to sort out corners with out providing you with the impression that it’s ever able to topple over. It’s a major enchancment by way of stability over the outgoing Mercedes-AMG G63, making this latest mannequin each extra balanced and enjoyable to drive.
Extra importantly, the system offers its driver the next sense of confidence when deploying this truck’s 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque output. It squats much less below laborious acceleration whereas additionally considerably decreasing nose-dive below braking. AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 fortunately sings its burbly muscle automobile tune by way of its side-mounted exhaust suggestions whereas a quick-shifting nine-speed computerized transmission and a everlasting all-wheel drive system make it really feel each bit as potent as its stats counsel.
The G63 has by no means had an influence downside, and with this newest mannequin sprinting to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, neither does this one. Nevertheless, its non-compulsory lively suspension lets you discover way more of it than earlier iterations. But whilst you method a bend, this truck’s upsized haven’t any situation slowing it whereas its steering stays completely numb from a suggestions perspective however picks up some newfound precision.
Crucially, the Mercedes-AMG G63 achieves this with out diminishing its on-road consolation or each day usability. As an alternative, this lively system and thicker tire sidewalls enhance it. Whereas its predecessor didn’t journey harshly, this newest mannequin makes notable enhancements, bringing the G’s journey high quality nearer to what you’d count on from a Vary Rover. In fact, reaching this implies giving up a number of the old-school rugged and truck-like really feel the G-Class is understood for, however to all however probably the most hardcore followers, this can come throughout as a major step ahead.
Inside, the Mercedes-AMG G63 continues the refined improve development. This tester contains a elegant Tartufo Brown end on its seats, complementing the black leather-based used on its dashboard and steering wheel. A $1,300 ash wooden trim possibility additional elevates the cabin, which pairs properly with this SUV’s $6,500 Desert Silver metallic exterior end and its $2,350 AMG Night time Bundle total.
On the tech facet, its twin 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment shows might sound unchanged at first look, however they home Mercedes’ new Offroad Cockpit. It’s a system designed to be used totally on trails, offering important knowledge at a look, reminiscent of altitude, steering angle, and the automobile’s place because the highway grade adjustments. It’ll additionally permit you to use the G’s cameras to see a transparent view of the highway forward and any upcoming rocks or particles.
The Offroad Bundle’s greatest flaw turns into obvious when you’re behind the wheel, particularly its elevated wind noise at freeway speeds. Though tire noise doesn’t improve considerably, the sound generated by this truck’s roof-mounted platform absolutely does. It’s sufficient to be distracting, requiring you to show up your music a couple of clicks greater than you normally would. If a whisper-quiet cabin is what you’re after, this rugged G isn’t for you.
As I discussed earlier, the Mercedes-AMG G63 stays the flagship mannequin, beginning at $187,250. For context, the G550 I reviewed earlier this 12 months has a base worth of $149,400, whereas the electrified G580 is available in at $162,650. Think about non-compulsory extras just like the $13,450 Offroad Bundle Professional, $7,400 Unique Inside Plus, and its $2,350 AMG Night time Bundle, and this truck’s as-tested worth balloons to $220,300.
The G63 is an off-roader outlined by its capability to create a way of event, and the Offroad Bundle Professional solely strengthens its capability to take action. Regardless of its added ruggedness, it permits this AMG to retain its capability to slot in anyplace. Nevertheless, the upsides from an aesthetic perspective are vital. This SUV now has seems that match its off-road functionality a lot better than in its extra widespread kind, that includes massive wheels and tires with thick sidewalls.
Nevertheless, what’s most spectacular is simply how properly the G63’s lively suspension improves each its high-speed stability and journey high quality with out considerably detracting from the G-Class expertise. Whereas the G550 takes a step again and the G580 struggles to catch on, the Mercedes-AMG G63 stays the last word G-Class.
