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Special thanks to Remax: 2024 Mercedes-AMG G63 Starting at: $ Highs: Twin-turbo V-8 provides ample acceleration, impressive off-road capability, iconic styling and luxurious interior appointments. Lows: Noisy and thirsty in town and on the highway, on-road dynamics still can't escape utilitarian DNA, expensive even by automotive unicorn standards. Verdict: Audacious with the hardware to back it up, the high-powered G63 SUV is a capable and pricey luxury off-roader with enough character to overcome its shortcomings. Overview 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 4x4² 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. What's New for 2024? 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. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG G63 starts at $ and goes up to $ depending on the trim and options. G63: $184,150 G63 4x42: $358,150 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. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The G63 relies on a twin-turbocharged 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 of grip on our 300-foot skidpad test. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Although the G-class's basic square-shouldered profile remains, the interior benefits from the same high-quality materials, and tech and convenience accouterment that dot the Mercedes lineup. There's leather upholstery, a digital instrument panel, cupholders and a surround-view camera system. Heated front and rear seats, and leather-bound AMG steering wheel also make the standard list. Taller drivers and passengers will find plenty of head- and legroom in both the front and rear. Around the back of the G-class, there's still no power liftgate, and you'll need to be in good shape to open the side-hinged gate, which has a full-size spare tire mounted on it. With the rear seats up, you'll have 38 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding them down (60/40 split) provides nearly 69 cubic feet. Read More
