[Omkar]

2024 Mercedes-AMG G63 (W465) Review

Mercedes-AMG G63 Pros

• An old-school luxury SUV that’s capable on the road and off it as well
• Deadly styling & loads of character that makes you feel special
• 577 BHP V8 delivers brutal performance (0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds!). 9-speed AMG speedshift TCT is very quick
• AMG side exhaust sounds amazing. You’ll surely get addicted to flooring the car every chance you get
• Active Ride Control suspension offers excellent body control
• All-wheel drive system along with off-road tech like lockable differentials and low-range gearbox is more than capable of getting you out of any off-road condition
• Extremely long list of options available to help you make your G63 truly unique

Mercedes-AMG G63 Cons

• Carries a hefty price tag of ~4 crore on road. That’s a lot for a lifestyle vehicle
• Rear seat comfort is very mediocre. The competition offers much more luxurious rear seats. This one is for self-driven owners
• As expected, it guzzles fuel, even if you drive it easy...and especially when you drive it hard
• Misses on some features like a head-up display, rear sunshade and a panoramic sunroof

Introduction

A few years ago when I first drove the G-Class, it shook my beliefs. This boxy-looking SUV was obscenely expensive, wasn’t very comfortable and didn’t make any sense on Indian roads, yet I was floored by it. The G-Wagen (short for “Geländewagen,” which means “cross-country vehicle” in German) is not supposed to be all those things. It is a proper old-school 4x4 with the body placed on the ladder frame, rugged suspension and so big that it makes the Toyota Fortuner look small. The lure is different on this one which is why more than 5,00,000 units have been sold worldwide.

In 2024, we have a new generation of the G-Class, the W465 which (yes, you guessed it right) doesn’t look all that different from the outgoing W463 G-Class (second generation). It almost looks like a facelift rather than a new generation. It however gets a bunch of tweaks to keep up with the modern world and even some new technological bits to make it more comfortable. It is still a 5-seater luxury SUV with strong off-road credentials including 3 differential locks that give it the go-anywhere capability. It is still an old-fashioned car in the modern world, which seems odd but interesting as well.

In India, Mercedes has launched AMG G 63 which now gets a 48V mild hybrid system for its 4.0-litre V8. It makes 577 BHP and 850 Nm, with the mild-hybrid system providing an additional boost of 20 BHP. Mercedes claims the G 63 can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 240 km/h (limited).

Mercedes-AMG G63 Price

The Mercedes-AMG G63 has been priced at Rs. 3.60 crore (ex-showroom). In terms of pricing, the G63 is expensive. Especially when you compare it with the Land Rover Defender V8. You can opt for various packages to make your G63 unique. You have the exterior AMG packages that cost up to Rs. 12.50 lakh and the interior that’s roughly Rs. 10 lakh. Over and above there are various additional paint options as well. For instance, this Manufaktur Copper Orange Magno paint that you see on our test car costs Rs. 8.50 lakh. You can always use the configurator on the Mercedes website for all the extras. All in all, you can make your G63 truly yours by paying some extra money.

[Omkar]

Exterior

The very recognizable front end of the G-Class. Upright stance with round headlights hasn’t changed through the generations:


The rear is almost identical to the outgoing model. The carbon fibre spare wheel cover is part of the AMG Exterior carbon fibre package:


A silhouette that is nothing less than iconic. The protective strip running along the side has a carbon fibre finish:


The G63 measures 4,873 mm in length, 2,187 mm in width and 1,976 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,890 mm:


It is rugged and has an extremely solid build. The doors are heavy and you can’t just close them like your normal cars. You have to shut them with force or else it won’t close!


One of the changes to the front is the new AMG-specific bumper that gets three vertical inlets. The dark chrome grille and logo are a part of the AMG Night package II:


Adaptive multibeam LED headlights come with washers. The fender-mounted turn indicators look great:


Flat bonnet with prominent creases and gets…


…the AMG Affalterbach crest:


New on this generation of the G63 are driver assistance features. It now gets blind spot assist, active lane keep assist, active steering assist, traffic sign assist, active speed limit assist, adaptive cruise control and more. The camera is placed on top of the windshield:


Small sunroof comes with an automatic rain-closing function. It also has a function where it closes automatically in the event of a rollover. Sadly gets a manual sunshade:


22-inch AMG forged multispoke wheels look good, but they do stiffen the ride quality a bit. Our test car was shod with 295/40 section Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres:


Red brake calipers look good:


Blacked out V8 BITURBO badge on the fender with AMG carbon fibre fender protective strips:


You now get request sensors for door handles on the G63:


Side exhausts with AMG branding. The G63 sounds amazing when revving hard:


Carbon fibre ORVM covers with integrated turn indicators and camera for the 360-degree view system:


Tiny LED Taillamps. The blacked-out G63 badge looks nice on this Manufaktur Copper Orange Magno paint:

Interior

Interiors are mostly the same as the outgoing car with some minor changes. You get this black and silver dashboard with contrast red accents:


The AMG flat-bottom steering wheel makes its way to the G63 as well. It has Nappa leather and non-slip microfiber finish and sensor surfaces on the horizontal spokes for different functions:


These are the two AMG buttons that enthusiasts will enjoy the most. The round display on the left has two buttons on the side which can be programmed for different functions on the car. Here it’s for engaging the manual gears and the Sport+ suspension setting. The dial on the right is a rotary dial with the middle portion displaying the current driving mode. You can switch the drive mode on the go and all the corresponding suspension and steering settings also change:


The digital instrument cluster gets all the AMG sporty displays to choose from. There’s an off-road specific mode as well and you now also get the driver assistance mode display:


Seats are draped in black leather with red pepper accents. They’re quite comfortable and offer good overall support. Bigger folk might find the side support to be a bit snug. The under-thigh support is extendable:


Front seats are heated and ventilated. Strangely, the rear seats only get the heating function:


You get a 12.3-inch display that has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. The infotainment system is mated to a 760 watts, Burmester 3D surround sound system with 18 speakers and a DSP amplifier:


Different car-related information can be viewed on the screen as you can see below:


One of the added functions to the G63 is the Race Start. You can go to the Track Pace option from the main menu and you get Track Race (for timed laps), Drag Race (for sprint) and you also get Telemetry data. You can also select the functions you want to have on the steering dial through the touchscreen and even select drive attributes individually:


The offroad cockpit has been carried forward from the previous generation. You get individual buttons for the differential locks. Below you have the manual gear button and the low range gearbox button. The HVAC controls are placed below this:


The centre console has a sliding cover that opens up to reveal a couple of temperature-controlled cupholders. There’s a wireless charging pad as well along with 2 USB-C charging ports. The setup is similar to the GLE 53 AMG we drove recently:


While you do have a touchscreen, you also get the conventional Mercedes touchpad. There are buttons for multiple functions around the touchpad. On the left, you have buttons for vehicle-related functions, while the ones on the right are for infotainment-related functions:


The classic G-Wagon passenger side grab handle. This one gets a carbon fibre finish and a Manufaktur logo:


A look at the rear seats. The cabin width is enough for 3 people to sit here and the floor hump isn't intrusive either:


While the headroom is plenty, the legroom isn’t that great. With the front seat adjusted to my driving position, I had barely a couple of inches worth of legroom as you can see in the top picture. You can free up more legroom by moving the seat all the way ahead (bottom pic). However, the rear seat isn’t something you’d be spending a lot of time in the G63:


Rear passengers get 2 fully integrated 11.6-inch touchscreens for entertainment. You can connect your own media via various interfaces like HDMI, USB C or Bluetooth. These are optional and I found the placement to be too close for my comfort. Very 'in-your-face' placement:


The G63 gets a 3-zone climate control:


Boot capacity is 640 litres which can be expanded to 2,010 litres by folding the rear seat. The wooden luggage floor is optional and costs Rs. 3.80 lakh extra:

[Omkar]

Driving the Mercedes-AMG G63 4.0L V8

Powering the G63 AMG is still the M177 series 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine that makes 577 BHP and 850 Nm. What’s new is the 48V mild hybrid tech that adds 20 BHP of additional boost:


In the previous version of the G63, the 4.0-litre V8 engine replaced the erstwhile 5.5-litre V8. In this latest iteration of the G63, the V8 gets electrification with a 48-volt on-board electrical system and an integrated starter generator that provides support at lower engine speeds with an additional boost of 20 BHP. The V8 also features two twin-scroll turbochargers placed inside the cylinder ‘V’ which helps keep the engine design compact. Another advantage is that the exhaust path is shorter and hence it increases the efficiency of the engine and the boost pressure buildup is faster. The engine also features zirconium alloy cylinder heads, forged aluminium pistons, and more for optimum performance. All these things help the G63 accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds! That’s blisteringly quick for something that has a kerb weight of 2,640 kg.

You have to climb into the G63’s driving seat. It’s not like your regular SUVs where you can just slide into the driver’s seat. There’s a side step that you can use to get in as well. Start the engine and you are welcomed by a pleasant growl. The side exhausts amplify the experience of being in the G63. You don’t have to be in Sport+ mode, even in Comfort mode, you can hear the exhaust on startup. I started in Comfort mode as I had to go through Mumbai traffic before I got on the open road. Once you get used to the high seating position, you immediately get comfortable with the size of the car. The tall seating gives you a clear view of the entire bonnet all the way to the edges hence it’s relatively easy to maneuver this big SUV. Through some narrow lanes, I didn’t have to be extra careful as I could place the car with ease. Where you do feel the size of the car is when taking 3-point U-turns. The turning radius is 6.7 meters which is more than that of the Range Rover which gets rear-wheel steering.

Comfort mode is the most tamed mode for the G63 and is ideal for city driving. The throttle response is more linear and you can drive smoothly. There’s plenty of power on tap and you can quickly close gaps in traffic or make those overtakes with ease. The boost at low speeds helps you keep the car on its toes. Even in Comfort mode when you go past half throttle you hear the exhaust growling. You really have to feather the throttle to drive the G63 quietly. Out on the highway is where you can really unleash the potential of the engine. Floor the accelerator and the G63 takes a second to prepare itself and you get a surge of power that will push you back in your seat. The engine pulls strong and goes all the way to the redline before shifting up.

Switch to Sport+ mode and all the senses are heightened. The throttle pedal is sharp and reacts on the smallest of inputs. In this mode, you even activate the AMG exhaust which sounds wonderful. It is loud, it is raspy and it is everything you would want from an exhaust. You also hear the pops and bangs when you get off the throttle. One party trick that the G63 has is the Race Start Function. You have to select the Drag Race mode in the Track Pace section on the infotainment and also select the Super Sport display on the MID. Make sure you are in Sport+ mode and you are ready for a launch. With your left foot on the brake pedal, floor the accelerator and the revs build up and hold at the point for optimum launch. You will see lights blinking on the MID indicating that you are ready to go. Let go of the brakes and you are shot forward like an arrow from a bow. The acceleration is extremely addictive and more importantly, this raw acceleration from an IC engine with such a loud exhaust is something you will never get from an EV.

The 9-speed AMG Speedshift torque converter automatic gearbox manages all the driving situations very well. It can alter the shifting characteristics depending on the drive mode selected. The transmission also features double-clutching in Sport and Sport+ modes for fast shifts. It ensures that the right gear is selected at the right time. There’s also a dedicated Manual mode where the gearbox holds on to the gears even when the engine speed reaches the limiter. The shifts in manual mode are also quick and you will enjoy pushing this gearbox.

AMG fuel filler cap is finished in silver chrome with AMG lettering. Fuel tank capacity is 100 litres:

Suspension

The best thing about a G-Wagon is that it’s the one Mercedes car that you don’t have to be careful over bad roads. You get independent suspension at the front and multi-link rear suspension with a body-on-frame construction which makes this a very abuse-friendly setup. What’s new on the G63 is the AMG Active Ride Control suspension that elevates the comfort and handling. Basically, instead of traditional sway anti-roll bars, you have active shock absorbers. All 4 dampers are connected via hydraulic lines which are electronically controlled. This enables the car to actively control the body roll and also improve ride comfort.

While driving around in the city in the Comfort mode, the suspension is absorbent. You can tell that there’s plenty of travel and you can go over bad roads with ease. The G63 glides over small and medium-sized potholes comfortably, but you do feel the large potholes. There is one deterrent though for you to absolutely go stress-free over bad roads – the wheels. Our test car was shod with 22-inch AMG alloy wheels with 295/40 section tyres. This meant that I had to be careful over bad roads and also, the shorter side profile added a bit of firmness to the ride quality. As standard, the G63 comes with 20-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels which will have a better ride. However, in the city, while driving in comfort mode, the ride is comfortable and not very bouncy. There is some side-to-side movement over bad roads in comfort mode but not excessive. All in all, you can drive over bad roads without having to worry about damaging your suspension.

At high speeds, the G63 feels more settled. The active hydraulics work continuously to keep excess movement in check. There is still some vertical movement at high speeds, but it has certainly improved from the previous generation. In terms of handling, you need to keep in mind that this is a tall SUV that weighs over 2,600 kg. While the chassis and the engine may encourage you to push the car to its limits, the physics does catch up.

Switch to Sport+ mode and the car feels tight. The steering is heavy and the chassis feels more agile. Start pushing in corners and you will be surprised by the way it manages to stick to the line. There is of course body roll, but the technical wizardry does its best to mask it. Mid-corner bumps are handled well, but there is a bit of bounce that comes with it making you feel like you are in a rally stage fighting with the steering. With so much power on tap, the car is always on the limit. This is a car that will keep you on your toes when you start pushing it in corners. Direction changes are also handled well and the G63 doesn’t lose its composure.

The steering has a good heft to it and feels very direct and connected. It is not very light like the other SUVs from Mercedes, and there is some weight even at city speeds, but it is manageable. The AMG brakes are very sharp and while there is a nose dive under hard braking, the car manages to shed speed effectively.

I didn't get a chance to do some serious off-roading with the G63, but the car handled some mild trails with ease. Even if you find yourself in a tricky situation, the car has enough 4x4 equipment to pull you out effortlessly.

The AMG Active Ride Control suspension helps reduce body roll:

[Omkar]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line.

[kadanaJ]

Is the AMG G63 designed to run on high-octane fuel? Or can it run on easily available regular petrol?

[peddagunda]

I don't know how such low-profile tyres would work off-road. Given that this is a very heavy vehicle too. I suppose one cannot go too fast on big potholes.

[Omkar]

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

Is the AMG G63 designed to run on high-octane fuel? Or can it run on easily available regular petrol?

Yes, it needs high-octane octane fuel.

[JunkyardHunter]

Fantastic review, though I think that the lack of significant exterior changes will be a deterrent for new buyers. Has the driving experience changed significantly from the previous G63?

[sunnsood]

Great Review and very detailed.

Off Topic:

The wooden luggage floor is optional and costs Rs. 3.80 lakh extra.

My entire house's wooden flooring will be complete in that amount.

[Mystic]

Thanks for sharing a very detailed review. My 2 cents:

1. This car is very popular in USA. I had seen many of them in our area in San Diego. I am not sure what class of people buy this?. It is a classic example of less car per car when compared to other American cars which give more real estate as in more car per car.

2. There is absolutely no significant change from the previous version but as I understand there is a major change in next version. Why would anyone invest huge money in this version?

3. Being a BOF and high CG, I am not sure if a powerful engine would be really useful as the body roll etc would make the car overturn at high speeds.

4. As I see that there are a number of G 63 in Beverly Hills which shows that it is more of a status symbol than actual usage of 4X4. Who would want to take this car worth nearly a quarter million USD and abuse it in off road situations?.

5. For some strange reasons, I feel that my Jimny is a baby version of this car and the the Japanese have done a perfect job. I am not sure if they are inspired by the Germans.

[ajmat]

Nice review, I cant deny how solid this car is! However, when I drove its previous version, the G55, I found it the suspension pretty crashy and a bit of a boat unless on a smooth surface.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

Is the AMG G63 designed to run on high-octane fuel? Or can it run on easily available regular petrol?

XP100 or equivalents is what is recommended but the regular XP95 works fine. The engine has cylinder deactivation so in regular running, one can expect pretty decent mileage - 6-8 Km/ ltr.

Originally Posted by JunkyardHunter

I think that the lack of significant exterior changes will be a deterrent for new buyers. Has the driving experience changed significantly from the previous G63?

Depends on the buyers, per the SA I know, major customers are repeat, many of who own 2020/21 MY.

Per the initial reviews, there are indeed changes, as we will expect from any product life cycle change. I think the differences will be due to -The AMG Active Ride Control suspension.

Originally Posted by Mystic

There is absolutely no significant change from the previous version but as I understand there is a major change in next version. Why would anyone invest huge money in this version?

I don't think barring a few examples here or there, any regular folk will buy this car. As regards investing, you may be surprised that in India, people are getting much more money for their old cars now than they paid in 2020/21. This car does not depreciate but rather has appreciated for most owners.

There will be always a newer generation and then another, most people who buy such cars, live in the present day.

I see that there are a number of G 63 in Beverly Hills which shows that it is more of a status symbol than actual usage of 4X4

Sure, this is a cult vehicle mostly a status symbol. People flaunt but so does the one who buys a Gucci bag

I feel that my Jimny is a baby version of this car and the the Japanese have done a perfect job.

Well no harm if Jimny looks like a G. If you look at the current MB India configurator, just the additional leather pack option on the G is around 25 Lac

[kadanaJ]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

XP100 or equivalents is what is recommended but the regular XP95 works fine. The engine has cylinder deactivation so in regular running, one can expect pretty decent mileage - 6-8 Km/ ltr.

I meant regular 88 octane petrol?

The reason behind asking is because I imagine this is a car one may want to use for long distance highway touring (for that 1% of the 1% who won't be using it as a mall-crawler).

I don't know if XP95 is easily available on all highways (never checked because I fill diesel). If it's not easily available, this car is limited to being a city car.

[Turbanator]

Originally Posted by kadanaJ

I meant regular 88 octane petrol?

I don't think there is any 88 Octane fuel in India any longer. One of the advantages of higher ethanol blending is an increase in Octane number and most likely 91 is standard now.

XP95 is what should be used at a minimum on such vehicles and is available across India. So, Yes, many owners use this car for intercity travel as well. But, as I mentioned previously, this is one serious showoff car. Even if you don't have a lac of Rupee in your bank account, you can go and do deals worth crores as people usually look upon this car as a super niche