Mercedes-Benz G Class G63 5dr 9G-Tronic

Ten Second Review

You know the real thing when you see it and, when it comes to supremely capable large SUVs, this is the real thing, the Mercedes G-Class. With this improved, mild hybrid-electrified version of the second generation model, subtle changes feature, but the anti-zeitgeist appeal of the burbling 585hp 4.0-litre AMG petrol V8 is much as before, as is the legendary off road ability. As a car, it's unnecessary, it's politically incorrect and it's addictive.

Background

On the face of it, putting a 585hp engine into a luxury SUV shaped like a portakabin sounds a bad idea. No, scrub that. It sounds an absolutely certifiable notion. But with the second generation G-Class model launched back in 2018 (and usefully updated six years on to create the car we look at here) Mercedes did it anyway, reasoning correctly that oligarchs and squillionaires will find the idea of a Gelandewagen powered by the 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 from the AMG GT supercar almost impossible to resist. Perhaps though, the whole point of enormous wealth is indulging your inner fantasies and the way the handbuilt V8 in this exclusive SUV explodes under heavy acceleration in a frantic volley of noise all the way to the point where it crashes against the 7,000rpm rev limiter is certainly addictive. Giving this car the kind of charm it would need to offer if your other SUVIP choices included a Lamborghini Urus or a twelve cylinder Bentley Bentayga.

Driving Experience

This G 63 model's 4.0-litre V8 puts out 585hp and in this updated form has gained mild hybrid drive, which contributes 20hp. Performance hasn't much changed, this powerplant clouting the G 63 to 62mph in just 4.5s and onto an electronically limited top speed of 137mph - or 149mph if you're crazy enough to pay Mercedes £2,000 to de-restrict it, in which case you really have got more money than sense. You'll get to enjoy the engine much more once you get the hang of all the different drive systems. Mercedes includes its 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes set-up which in its top 'Sport+' setting, ramps up the throaty note of the AMG sports exhaust. There are also the usual 'Sport', 'Comfort' and 'Individual' options, plus an extra 'Slippery' mode for rainy days and icy mornings. All the choices you can make here affect throttle response, steering feel, stability settings and the shift timings of the 9G-TRONIC auto gearbox, which features in a G 63 in more sharply-focused SPEEDSHIFT form. 'DYNAMIC SELECT' can alter suspension feel too, courtesy of standard 'AMG RIDE CONTROL' adaptive damping. As in any other G-Class model, the available mountain of torque (850Nm in this case) should be adequate to drag you out of most sticky situations, while the car's three electrically controlled 100-percent differential locks, ladder frame and rigid axle characteristics also underline its mettle in rough off-road terrain. There's a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and this Merc can wade up to 700mm of water.

Design and Build

The G 63 is set apart from lesser G-Class models by unique 22-inch forged AMG cross-spoke matt black wheels and AMG body styling with exclusive G 63 front aprons. There are also specific cooling air intakes and flared wheel arches in body colour. Otherwise, it's much as any other G-Class, a model stylistically slightly revised in this updated electrified form. There's a revised bumper and radiator grille, while the front-facing camera has now been mounted lower in the front bumper so that it offers better visibility of obstacles using a new 'transparent bonnet' view. To improve the barn door aerodynamics (the drag coefficient's now enhanced from 0.53 or 0.48Cd), the A-pillars have been carefully rounded off and a lip has been added to the leading edge of the windscreen. Measuring 4,715mm long and 1,881mm wide, this G still remains more compact than most of its similarly-priced SUVIP Range Rover-segment rivals. Previous owners will recognise classic G-Class details such as the distinctive door handles, the exterior protective strip, the exposed spare wheel on the rear door and prominent indicator lights. A few cabin changes are significant: keyless entry for the very first time on a G-Class; and the central MBUX infotainment display is now a touchscreen. The off-road 'control centre' in the middle of the dashboard has been revised to give the driver easier access to the most important functions. And there are now temperature-controlled cup holders and a wireless 'phone charger. As before, there's a multifunction AMG Performance steering wheel, plus an electric handbrake and a gear selector stalk mounted on the steering column. An analogue instrument panel comes as standard, but a 'virtual' display is optional. Hallmarks of the original G-Class include a grab handle in front of the front passenger and chrome switches for the three differential locks. In the rear, you're going to be surprised by just how little space there is from a car of this size; you'd really struggle to comfortably take more than a couple of adults. Boot capacity is 640-litres - or 2,010-litres with the seats folded.

Market and Model

Hand-built by Steyr-Puch in Austria, this is an exclusive car which, as you've probably already guessed, means that it's going to cost you a suitably exclusive price. Over 60% of customers in this country choose the Mercedes-AMG G 63 4.0-litre petrol twin turbo V8 variant, which in this updated form costs from around £185,000. Above this, there are three pricier trim levels - 'Carbon Edition', 'MANUFAKTUR Edition' and top 'Magno Edition'. The only SUVs that can compete with a G-Wagon's extreme capability off road (contenders like Land Rover's Defender, the Ineos Grenadier and Jeep's Wrangler) are much less capable on-tarmac - and anyway, they sit in much cheaper and less luxurious market segments. Super-luxury SUVs that are comparably priced and sized against this Mercedes - the Range Rover for instance - don't have this car's classic, military-surplus feel. Nor are they as capable off road. All G 63 variants are set apart by 22-inch AMG forged wheels with a cross spoke design and red calipers. plus there's an AMG body styling kit, as well as an AMG-specific radiator grille and bumper inserts in stainless steel. This variant also gets AMG Active Ride Control and a quick-shifting 'AMG SPEEDSHIFT' version of the 9G-TRONIC auto gearbox. Plus there are illuminated AMG door sill panels. And nappa leather features on both the AMG Performance steering wheel and the ventilated multi-contour AMG sports seats.

Cost of Ownership

Go for this G 63 Mercedes-AMG V8 petrol variant and you can of course throw any thoughts of running cost efficiency out of the window. The mild hybrid system should help general efficiency. As should the fact that the 4.0-litre V8 features cylinder de-activation so that under light throttle loads, it chugs about on only four cylinders, this switch designated when operational by a little icon at the top of the instrument cluster. Unfortunately, these engineering improvements don't make as much difference as you might hope. WLTP-rated figures suggest that this car theoretically returns 14.8mpg on the combined cycle (and 338g/km of CO2). In reality, if you drive this G 63 regularly as the burbling V8 repeatedly encourages you to, you'll often achieve much less than that. Not of course that anyone likely to be able to afford a £185,000 585hp Gelanderwagen will ever be unduly bothered by the thought of such excess. They might though, be more bothered by the frequency with which this rate of thirst makes it necessary to continually re-fill the 100-litre fuel tank. Servicing is every year or 12,500 miles, whichever comes first. It's worth knowing that your maintenance outlay can be kept a little in check by going for the optional Service Care package that takes care of routine maintenance.

Summary

Here's the car that tops our guilty pleasures list. Whether you want to make a really big statement with your choice of SUV or you simply want the most capable, road-sensible off roader there is, the Mercedes G-Class - especially in this G 63 guise - offers a money-no-object solution. With a design dating back to the Seventies, it may be old in concept, but it remains classily cool with an appeal remaining undimmed against the changing fads of automotive fashion. Judging this car by the usual criteria just doesn't work. As ever with a Gelandewagen, the normal rules resolutely don't apply. What's changed is the way that with this updated model, that appeal has been very cleverly updated. It's thoroughly modern, but all the things that make a G-Class special and unique remain intact. We could have been served up a lifestyle-orientated copy of the original. But this remains the real thing.