2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 Review
Car Tested: 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63; Road Test No. 1044; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 2,50,42,579/-
This is the first time the G-Wagen has been completely redesigned since 2002
The longest produced Mercedes car, the G-Wagen has become quite popular and has got a slew of updates since it first went on sale in 1979 but not much changed to the platform which had started to show its age since quite a long time. Enter the second generation G-Wagon, a car which stays true to its iconic design but is it enough to retain the charm of the original? Has Mercedes-Benz managed to keep the G-Wagen’s roots intact while making it thoroughly modern in every possible way?
The 2019 G-Wagen retains the boxy design from its predecessor
Exteriors – The new Mercedes G-Wagen retains the boxy looks of its predecessor but gets rounded edges which really differentiates it from the old model. The rest remains more or less the same with round headlights (which get massive attention to detail along with 84 LEDs), a vertical grille (old one used a horizontal grille) and massive 22-inch wheels. Our test car being the Edition1 also gets red stripes on the alloy wheels as well as the gloss finish outside rearview mirrors. Mercedes has retained the front indicators on the hood which costs five times as much! The car has grown in every dimension and retains the tailgate-mounted spare wheel which carries a slightly smaller space saver tyre.
The interior is now in line with all the new Mercedes cars
Interiors – The traditional charm is carried over to the interior as well because when you want to get inside, you have to use the key as there is no passive entry, the door handles are also traditional. The unlock and lock noise is like a machine gun firing and the doors feel heavy and the hinges are visible too. Below the driver’s seat, there is a fire extinguisher too but that’s where all old-school comes to an end and modern Mercedes luxury comes into play because the seats are extremely comfortable, bathed in Nappa leather with quilting on the door pads. The front seats get a multitude of adjustments along with heating, cooling as well as massage, meanwhile, the rear seats get a heating function.
Mercedes has improved the interior space of the G-Wagen
considerably
Mercedes has retained some elements from the old G-Wagen
The dashboard is flat and there is a big grab rail on the co-passenger side, again, similar to the outgoing model. Meanwhile, there are twin 12.3-inch screens, similar to the S-Class which offer a multitude of information. The quality of the display is super crisp and there is a ton of information on offer, you can also see how much power, torque, and g-force is being witnessed in real time. The right side buttons on the steering wheel are for the instrument cluster (there are three display modes – Sport, Classic and Progressive) and the left side buttons are for the infotainment screen, one can also use the infotainment screen using the rotary dial as well as the touchpad, there is no touch-screen here.
The cabin feels luxurious and premium
The Mercedes G-Wagen is loaded with a ton of features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Burmester sound system (the tweeter’s design mimics that of the hood mounted indicators), reverse parking camera with adaptive guidelines and sensors, 360-degree camera, 64 colour ambient lighting, sunroof, radar-guided cruise control, blind spot warning on the outside rearview mirrors, lane keep assist, collision warning, brake assist, tyre pressure monitoring, Mercedes logo projection from the outside rearview mirrors and a lot more. Owing to the increase in wheelbase, there is a good amount of legroom and kneeroom in the second row and three people can sit comfortably due to the wide cabin. There is a good amount of under-thigh support too as the seat base is long, meanwhile, headroom is plenty too.
The boot is spacious but accessing it is difficult
The boot is decent sized but takes some effort to open as it has the heavy spare wheel on it and opens sideways. You can fold flat the second row of seats to liberate more room but that does take effort. However, all isn’t merry because certain things could have been better, for instance, dual exhausts continue to be placed right below the rear doors on either side and do heat up a lot when driving spiritedly, so people getting in and out of the rear seat have to be careful. There are some hard plastics which isn’t welcome in a car that costs this much and the power window controls on the driver side feel too plasticky, Mercedes should have used the metal ones from the cheaper S-Class. Also, a large panoramic roof would be a nice addition to bring in more airiness in the all-black cabin. That said, the new G-Wagen is a big step up in terms of space, luxury, quality, and equipment over its predecessor.
The V8 engine is extremely powerful and refined
Performance – Out goes the 5.5-litre V8 in lieu of the 4.0-litre V8 which boasts of more power and torque than before, 585 PS and 850 Nm to be precise. 0-100 km/hr takes just 4.5 seconds which makes it faster than the Range Rover SVR, in spite of weighing in more than 2.5 tonnes. This bi-turbo unit is very refined but it’s not how fast it goes, it’s how it goes fast that really excites. This motor has a soul, it has a good amount of punch throughout but the way it builds up pace truly smacks a big fat smile on the face. It’s strong in the mid-range and absolutely screams to its near 7000 RPM redline.
The exhaust note can be altered with the help of a button
The G63 AMG uses the same engine as the one found on the Mercedes-AMG GT
The sound from the V8 mill is just sensational, you can choose to be in default ‘balanced’ exhaust note or switch to ‘powerful’ with a flick of a button on the centre console. There are 5 driving modes – Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ and 3 off-road modes – Sand, Mud and Rock. These modes alter the engine, gearbox, suspension, steering and exhaust. Unlike the old G-Wagen which channelled power to both the front and rear axles in equal measure, the new car is more rear biased with a split of 60:40. ESP can’t be turned off but can be set to Sport and it’s just less intervening, it still keeps kicking in because there is just too much poke from this AMG-tuned powerplant.
The 9-speed automatic gearbox keeps up with the V8 engine
One can take manual control of gearshifts too by pressing a button on the centre console, swapping cogs using the steering mounted paddles. The 9-speed torque converter gearbox is super fast with shifts and never misses a downshift, aggressively going down the gears in sports mode. The vehicle is equipped with a speed alarm to comply with upcoming norms, wherein it buzzes once every minute post 80 km/hr and continuously buzzes post 120 km/hr, even throwing up a warning on the instrument cluster while also overpowering the music volume. The vehicle shuts 4-cylinder under 45 km/hr to save fuel but it does guzzle fuel, returning between 2-5 km/l, depending on the driving style. The Mercedes-AMG G63 has a top speed of 220 km/hr and that can be increased to 240 km/hr by opting for the AMG Driver’s package.
There is a lot of character in the way the G63 drives
Driving Dynamics – The Mercedes G-Wagen retains a ladder frame platform but has shed 150 kgs thanks to the use of new grade steel while aluminium has been used on the doors. The vehicle is still heavy but gets a massive improvement to the suspension as at the front, it now uses an independent double wishbone, meanwhile, the rear continues to use a solid axle. The steering is now an electromechanical unit which is speed sensitive, it no longer feels cumbersome to drive as the steering is light at lower speeds and weighs up quite well at high speeds, the flat bottom unit feeling nice and sporty to use.
The G63 is a true AMG with the way it accelerates and drives
The ride quality of the new G-Wagen has improved tremendously
The ride quality is much better than before although it’s still on the stiffer side and that can be felt on bad roads, accentuated by the low profile tyres. The handling feels way better now and a round of applause to Mercedes engineers who have managed to make a box on wheel stay stable at high speeds, there is no aerodynamics in the design and yet it isn’t as noisy at high speeds as the earlier model, double glazing on the windows has certainly helped here. There is roll around the corners and nose-dive under heavy braking but the G63 feels very much in control. Accelerate hard and the nose lifts too, so although the suspension is stiff, the heavy body does move around. The brakes on the G-Wagen offer very good stopping power and the pedal offers excellent feedback.
The G63 is not only a luxury SUV but also a capable off-roader
Off-Road – This Mercedes might have become more modern in terms of comfort, luxury and almost everything else but it’s hugely capable off-road. One of the very few cars to get three differentials – central, rear and front and you can lock them up individually too. There is a low ratio transfer case as well and once you activate the differentials, ESP and ABS is turned off. With a massive 241 mm ground clearance (no the ride height can’t be raised or dropped as it doesn’t get air suspension) and a water wading capacity of 700 mm, the G-Wagen can gobble up all kinds of terrains, effortlessly.
The G63 AMG is a sporty off-roader with a luxurious interior
Verdict – The Mercedes-AMG G63 is every bit a big step up over its predecessor. It’s bigger, faster, more agile, better riding, more luxurious, better equipped and has more space too, yet it retains the old world charm in the styling and feel of the original. That’s not all, it’s still a genuine off-road vehicle and an SUV in the true sense, sporty on the road and very capable off it. The G63 AMG oozes desirability like no other vehicle in the world, it has the charm and will make you smile no matter where you are, on the driver or passenger seat, or on the outside too. This is one SUV which has a soul like no other and also a price like no other!
You also get a fire extinguisher, just in case!
What’s Cool
* Still looks like the G-Wagen we all love
* Interior quality, space and comfort have been improved
* Performs great both on and off-road
* Improved dynamics along with explosive performance
What’s Not So Cool
* No panoramic sunroof, keyless go or powered tailgate
* The side mounted exhaust looks cool but heats up
* Some hard plastics are not welcome at this price point
Alternatives: – Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Lamborghini Urus, Maserati Levante, Lexus LX, Range Rover Sport SVR
The rear mounted spare wheel cover houses a space saver spare wheel
2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 Specifications
* Engine: 3988cc, V8, Petrol
* Power: 569 HP
* Torque: 760 Nm @ 2000-5000 RPM
* Transmission: 9-Speed AT
* Top Speed: 220 km/hr
* 0-100 km/hr: 4.5 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 2-5 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Tyre Size: 275/50/20 (Front)
* Suspension: Independent Double Wishbone (Front), Double Axle (Rear)
* Brakes: Disc (Front), Disc (Rear)
* Safety: 8 Airbags, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Hill Start Assist, Traction Control, ESP
2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4816 mm X 1976 mm X 1938 mm
* Wheelbase: 2850 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 96-litres
* Kerb Weight: 2550 kgs
Each engine is signed by the person who built it
Testers’ Note:
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