2020- Mercedes Benz G 63 Wagon

Mercedes Benz G 63 Wagon - $132,800.

By Ella Patterson

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known by many as the “G-Wagon,” is already among the baddest, brawniest and most distinctive SUVs money can buy. The MercedesAMG version takes the German automaker’s Earth-conquering “Gelandewagen” SUV and makes it even more extreme. Yes, if the standard G 550 (reviewed separately) is the king of luxuriously rugged SUVs, the Mercedes-AMG G 63 is the emperor.

Even with a slew of new high-end, ultra-capable SUVs that range from the reborn Land Rover Defender to the Lamborghini Urus, there’s simply nothing else like it on the road. Can you name one other luxury SUV that has triple locking differentials for stee hill climbing ability along with twin 12.3-inch digital displays to relay the latest tech, not to mention decades of heritage and celebrity status? Then there’s the handcrafted, 577-horsepower V8 that launches this ultra-SUV from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Downsides? While the G-Wagon just had its first major revamp in decades, it’s still more beast than beauty in terms of everyday livability and drivability.

Then there’s the price: It costs over $156,000 to even step into a 2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63. In reality, a crossover SUV like the Mercedes GLE is more logical, more efficient, more civilized, and less expensive, but few vehicles can touch the gravitas of a G-Class.

Driving the 2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63

Have you ever driven a brick with sports-car-like acceleration and the ability to literally scale mountains? That’s the nature of the new Mercedes-AMG G 63. While other luxury SUVs are fast and

PHOTO CREDIT: MERCEDES.COM

some have respectable off-road chops, the G-Wagon is among the very few that are both fast on the road and extremely capable offroad. Of course, most owners of this ultra-luxury SUV will never leave asphalt. The G-Wagon has become standard transportation for the Hollywood set, and we can safely wager that very few of its celebrity owners will ever use the G 63’s locking differentials. Still, this version that was totally revamped last year is its best driving to date.

Switching to an independent front suspension has made the G-Wagon more civil (the rear remains a solid axle), and all other hardware has been massaged for better everyday drivability. The fresh, twin-turbo V8 is a marvelous motivator. Its rumble is impossible to ignore and planting your foot on the right pedal enables effortless, physics-defying acceleration.

Overall ride quality is good, and the 9-speed automatic works well. It shifts almost imperceptibly with light throttle, but changes gears more noticeably when the driver is aggressive with the pedal. Steering effort feels natural, and on curvy roads, you can feel how the front and rear anti-roll bars help keep the G 63 from leaning too much in the corners.

Off-road, in low range with all three differentials locked, the G 63 seems unstoppable. Truly, if you know what you’re doing and have the guts to take your roughly $160,000 SUV into the wild, it has the capability to venture farther than you ever thought possible.

Favorite Features: THREE LOCKING DIFFERENTIALS Via three buttons on the dash, the G 63’s center, rear and front differentials can be locked, but only in that specific order. It’s this

feature that makes the G-Wagon all but unstoppable in the mire and sets it apart from other SUVs with legit off-road chops.

Creature Comforts

If you ever wanted a massage while crossing the Serengeti, racing down the autobahn or cruising Rodeo Drive, the Mercedes-AMG G 63 can grant that. Just check the Seat Comfort Package, which adds Mercedes’ multicontour massaging seats, plus heat and ventilation for your rump.

2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Interior

The G 63’s dual nature goes beyond its extreme on-road/off-road abilities. Though tough and boxy on the outside, this AMG GWagon is luxurious and technologically advanced inside. As with prior models, the Mercedes G-Wagon remains a 2-row/5passenger SUV.

But this new-gen G-Wagon is far more modern and accommodating inside. As with other new Mercedes-Benz models, the G 63 boasts twin 12.3-inch digital screens — one that acts as the instrument cluster, the other that relays navigation, audio, and other infotainment. Even the air vents feature a slick new design that reminds of an aircraft turbine. Remaining in the center of the dash are the three prominent switches for locking the differentials. This new-gen G-Class has grown by four inches in length, 4.8 inches in width, and 1.6 inches in height, making the G 63 roomier than the previous version. In back, there’s about six inches more legroom, plus an extra 1.5 inches of legroom in front. Also appreciated is an extra 4.8 inches of shoulder space, together with a rear bench seat that now folds and splits 60/40 for added cargo-carrying versatility.

2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Exterior

The Mercedes G-Wagon was overhauled last year, yet it only takes one look to tell what it is. The design remains wholly upright and boxy. It also remains one of the toughest-looking SUVs you can buy. The G 63 further differentiates itself from the G 550 with an AMG-specific radiator grille and a unique bumper with large side air inlets.

Another key distinguisher is the AMG’s exhaust outlets that peek out the sides below the rear doors. Other exclusive G 63 exterior characteristics are the flared fenders, running boards, distinctive trim elements, and metallic paintwork. The G 63’s red brake calipers also look great inside the available 22-inch wheels. Below the paint, the Mercedes G-Class uses a rigid ladder frame like that of a truck vs. the unibody setup of most crossover SUVs. Note that, unlike almost every other new SUV, the G 63 doesn’t have an upward-rising, power-operated tailgate, but instead a swing-out rear door that must be opened and closed manually.

2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Standard Features

Beyond the hand-built twin-turbo V8, the ability to cover just about any terrain and the intangible prestige of driving the definition of vehicular excess, the new Mercedes-AMG G 63 comes with a full roster of features. Among the highlights are Nappa leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, tri-zone climate control, sunroof, in-cabin air-purification system, rainsensing windshield wipers, auto-dimming mirrors, and universal garage remote.

The standard infotainment system is also robust, bundling twin 12.3-inch digital displays, navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and a sublime 15speaker/590-watt Burmester audio system.

Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Options

The Mercedes-AMG G 63 can be made further over-the-top and even more comfortable with features like massaging front seats, rear-seat entertainment system with dual 10-inch touchscreen displays, and a carbon-fiber engine cover.

New for 2020 is the AMG Trail Package, which bundles an off-road-optimized suspension, black underbody guard, rear mud flaps, and 20-inch all-terrain tires. If the 2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63’s top speed of an electronically limited 137 mph isn’t fast enough for you, it can be increased to 149 mph by checking the “Increase top speed” option box.

2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Engine

While a standard G 550 is no wimp with its twin-turbo 4.0liter V8 good for 416 horsepower, here again, the MercedesAMG version ups the ante. This high-performance G-Wagon uses a handcrafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 tuned to make 577 horsepower and an even more impressive 627 lb-ft of torque.

This new-gen G-Wagon’s 4-wheel-drive system is rearbiased with a 40/60 split. This enables more of a sports-car-like feel, yet the G 63 is also a real-deal off-road SUV with low-range gearing and three — yes, three — locking differentials. Power is sent through a 9-speed automatic transmission. Almost ironically, to save fuel the G 63 has an engine start/stop system that can turn off the engine instead of idling at stoplights. It can be disabled. Speaking of fuel economy, as you might imagine it isn’t great: 13-mpg city, 15-mpg highway, and 14-mpg combined. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 is rated to tow up to 6,500 pounds, 500 less than the standard model. 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 577 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm 627 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-3,500 rpm EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/15 mpg

How Much Does the 2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63 Cost?

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63 has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) starting at $156,450, plus a $995 destination charge. That compares to the $130,900 starting price of the standard G 550. Options can add thousands more to the G 63’s base price.

At this cost, the Mercedes-AMG G 63 is among the highestpriced SUVs. Though not quite apples to apples, a Porsche Cayenne Turbo is roughly $30,000 less, while the big Lexus LX starts just over $86,000. Just arriving is a new rendition of another off-road icon — the 2020 Land Rover Defender. That boxy, adventurous SUV promises to start just under $50,000. On the other end of the spectrum are ultra-exotic SUVs like the Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus, which can easily cost over $200,000.

Before buying, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to see what others in your area are paying. The 2020 MercedesAMG G 63’s resale value holds up very well.