2024 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG

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 4×4² 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.

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. 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.

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.