Mercedes-AMG G 63 2024 Review – International

Official pricing and specs are still to be announced for the upgraded 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63, which is due to touch down in Australia in the final quarter alongside the new all-electric Mercedes-Benz G 580e version, which we've also reviewed.

Both models, however, are expected to be priced from around $360,000 – and that’s before on-road costs and options are factored in.

Now, that is a faintly ludicrous amount of money when you remember the original 2018 launch price for the new-generation G 63 was $247,700 plus ORCs.

But even at a cool $385,000-ish drive-away, buyers still seem more than happy to form an orderly queue because few SUVs look as good, and are as competent off-road, as the rugged and ruggedly handsome high-performance G-wagen.

Witness what happened back in 2021 when demand was so high for the G-Class that Mercedes-Benz Australia was forced to close its local order books for two years.

Expect demand to outstrip supply for this new model, too.

Benz has decided not to bring the 270kW G 450d turbo-diesel to Australia, as the previous diesel only accounted for a small portion of sales. It’s a similar story for the G 500 that swaps out the old 4x4’s twin-turbo V8 for a mild-hybrid inline six-cylinder petrol; lack of demand means it won’t come here.

As far as rivals go, there’s not much else like a G 63. The incoming Land Rover Defender OCTA perhaps comes closest to matching the flagship G-wagen’s combination of extreme levels of off-road prowess with biturbo V8 performance.

The 460kW Range Rover Sport SV (from $360,800) is also worth considering, and if you don’t want to go off-road, you can get a Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT for similar money.

With its towering price tag, it’s a safe bet the 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 will come standard with high levels of kit that we hope will include the AMG Offroad Package Pro, which adds the advanced new semi-active suspension tech.

If it’s not standard, the trick dampers won’t come cheap, adding considerably to the bottom line.

Using the UK market as a guide, the G 63 should come with twin 12.3-inch screens, a sunroof, a powerful Burmester 3D surround-sound system, faux suede roof lining, cabin air filtration system and an upper dash wrapped in classy-looking Nappa leather.

Also count on the fitment of keyless go for the first time, a temperature-controlled cup holder, wireless phone charging, huge 22-inch alloy wheels, red-painted brake callipers, side running boards and a spare wheel carrier on the rear door.

The good news continues when it comes to the number of AMG-specific parts included. There’s an AMG Performance steering wheel wrapped in Nappa leather, black Nappa leather seats, a new off-road panel and a heated steering wheel and front windscreen.

The G 63 also gets three differential locks, a low-ratio gearbox, uprated AMG brakes, a dash cam, speed limit assist, active steering assist, blind spot assist, exit warning function, a 360-degree camera, transparent bonnet and adaptive cruise control.

The G-Class is backed by Mercedes-Benz’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

There’s no word yet on servicing costs, but a three-year capped-price program for the outgoing model is priced at $4500, with maintenance needed every 12 months or 20,000km.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 should continue to offer a maximum five-star ANCAP rating, based on the assessment conducted in 2019.

This wide-ranging upgrade also keeps the Mercedes-Benz G-Class up to date, with the G 63 featuring new advanced driver assistance technology (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control, active speed limit assist, active steering assist, blind spot assist and exit warning.

Multibeam LED headlights with high beam assist are also included.

Don’t be fooled by the old-school exterior design, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 has been updated with the German car-maker’s latest in-car tech, as you can see with the big 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an equally-large infotainment screen.

The MBUX operating system now incorporates augmented reality navigation – a useful feature that helps guide the driver through a busy city centre, although it’s a shame it’s not combined with head-up display. At least the display ahead of the driver can be configured for full-width navigation.

The infotainment system also has inbuilt AI (artificial intelligence) that’s been designed to learn your daily habits behind the wheel.

The star attraction of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 remains the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 that lives on for a little longer and continues to pump out a very healthy 430kW and 850Nm of torque.

Those figures are identical to the current model, but as part of the 2024 refresh there’s now an additional boost from the engine’s new integrated starter-generator that can add up to 17kW and 205Nm for an extra burst of acceleration when overtaking.

Tick the box for the optional AMG Performance Package and the G 63 can now launch from 0-100km/h in just 4.3 seconds, on its way to a 240km/h top speed.

Without it, the 4x4 takes 4.4sec and maxes out at 220km/h.

According to the manufacturer, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 is capable of averaging a WLTP-verified 14.7L/100km while emitting 335g/km of CO2.

To put that figure into context, the new 2024 Range Rover Sport SV is said to return 12.8L/100km while emitting 282g/km of CO2 on the same WLTP test regime, meaning the Brit fractionally edges the German when it comes to efficiency.

‘Transformed’ best describes the on-road driving experience of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 and it’s all thanks to its trick semi-active AMG Ride Control suspension.

The system is effectively based on the same tech used to great effect on the latest AMG GT supercar and involves the use of clever dampers that have active elements within them and are interlinked with each other via hydraulic connections.

The dampers are capable of cancelling out body lean through corners and are so good at their job that engineers were able to delete the current model’s bulky anti-roll bars, which in turn increases the wheel articulation off-road.

As perhaps you might expect from an AMG product, the new tech works best at high speed – not a phrase you typically associate with the big, heavy G-wagen – but it’s now possible to cover ground at a barely believable rate, thanks to the extra confidence installed by the improved body control that sees the G 63 heave less in bends.

Unlike Porsche’s active suspension, the system can’t offset the diving motion under heavy braking, nor the pitch involved in extreme acceleration. But it’s still a huge improvement compared to the outgoing model, while offering mostly improved levels of ride comfort.

We say ‘mostly’ because when you wind back the speed the G 63 begins to feel like the ladder-frame off-roader it is, with the occasional judder through the cabin.

But, overall, the combination of explosive acceleration, V8 soundtrack and jaw-dropping cross-country performance make for an enjoyable companion on-road.

On the highway, the smoothed-off front pillars, new grille, redesigned bumper and new lip on the windscreen have all been introduced to slash wind noise and reduce the drag coefficient from 0.53 to 0.48Cd.

We don’t doubt Mercedes-AMG engineers have found some meaningful improvements, but on the particularly blowy day that we drove the new G 63, there was still lots of bustle around the A-pillar at a cruise, suggesting there’s only so much you can do with a boxy design.

One final point: as part of our drive program, we also got to drive both the G 500 and G 450d. While the 330kW petrol felt like it had its work cut out, the new 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder mild-hybrid diesel (270kW/750Nm) impressed with its refinement and smooth power delivery. It’s a shame we miss out on it.

Like before, the G 63 can tow up to 3500kg, matching the best in class.

Off-road, the new 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 is near unstoppable.

Back in 2018, Benz raised plenty of G-wagen purist eyebrows when it dared to add a double-wishbone independent front suspension and rack-and-pinion steering.

No doubt the addition of the new semi-active suspension will again raise yet more red flag-waving from hard-core off-road enthusiasts, but for everyone else it’s a huge win and we wouldn’t order a G 63 without it.

On a fast and bumpy gravel track, the big Benz not only feels more controlled but comfier too, despite the spring rates being identical to before.

Thanks to its greater articulation, the wheels now spend more of their time in contact with the surface, providing for both better traction and the feeling you’re more in control.

As part of the upgrades, two new off-road driving modes have been introduced with the AMG Offroad Package Pro, which are in addition to the standard Sand, Trail and Rock settings.

AMG Traction Pro uses the three diffs and low-range transmission to maximise traction over rock or sand, clawing you out by selective torque-vectoring and adjusting each of the three diffs on the move.

The second additional mode, dubbed AMG Active Balance Control, can adjust the roll stiffness from low to mid and high, depending on the surface.

Helping further improve ease of use, there’s also a new off-road control unit in the digital dash display that includes a ‘transparent bonnet’ for a better view of the terrain.

Having said all that, the G-wagen’s considerable off-road capability remains essentially unchanged on paper – the G 63 is still able to wade up to 700mm, with a decent 31-degree approach and 35-degree departure angle.

And on test, the refreshed G 63 proved once again that it remains among the very best off-road.

If you’re not completely charmed by its old-school exterior styling, we’re willing to wager you’ll be won over by the way the 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 looks and feels within.

From the dramatic railway-carriage clunk of its doors to the tough clonking sound of the central locking system, the latest G-Class celebrates its ruggedness and blends it with a fit and finish you’d get with an S-Class.

Like before, the G 63 perches all occupants high within its light and airy cabin that features a huge grab handle ahead of the passengers.

Avoid the rear seat entertainment package if you regularly carry tall passengers as it impinges on access. However, once seated, two large adults should find loads of headroom and just enough space in other directions.

Luggage volume is claimed to be up to 640 litres, but that figure falls to 454 litres with a luggage cover. The rear seats still don’t fold flat.

When the latest-generation Mercedes-AMG G 63 was launched in 2018, its poor on-road manners meant it was too compromised for us to wholeheartedly recommend it over more accomplished high-performance SUVs like the Range Rover Sport.

Put head-to-head with the latest Range Rover Sport SV and we’re willing to bet the upgraded 2024 G 63 would still trail the Brit for outright speed and handling, but the gap will be closer than ever before.

Where once its on-road drive was something of a deal-breaker, the G 63 is now a loveable, characterful but still-flawed way of cracking the performance SUV nut.

2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 at a glance:
Price: $360,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: Final quarter 2024
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol
Output: 430kW/850Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 14.7L/100km (WLTP)
CO2: 335g/km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)