2025 G63 G Wagen – More Than a Letter

Tim Warren

The G wagen is beautiful brick, barely changed in appearance since 1979. Scarcely a more iconic vehicle on the planet, it’s now a cultural icon, the ultimate gangster whip, while gracing the pages of luxury magazines like this one. Designed in a time before aerodynamics, and not reviewed since, it’s not destined for a race track, it’s aimed at a rutted bush track where aero doesn’t matter.

The classic G63 side exit exhausts look and sound fantastic. At idle they sound like a grumpy bear and as you build up through the rev range the sonic symphony reaches 1812 levels of vehicular warfare. No coincidence, the G started as a military vehicle commissioned for the Shah of Iran no less, so practicality and toughness were first on the agenda. Hence flat sides that are easier to manufacture and armor. The square shape makes for massive windows and great visibility. Good for road driving and great for off-roading. It has always been probably the world’s most capable 4×4 with ludicrous approach and departure angles, extreme sideways acrobatics and the ability to gobble up the most treacherous terrain. The centrally placed three diff lock options, plus low range and the nine speed dual clutch transmission with rock hop and crawl modes prove that.

If the exterior has barely changed since its introduction, the interior is a different story. With the the full Mercedes infotainment treatment, it features a combination of the latest steering wheel plus manual ventilation controls from the previous generation. Seats have almost every conceivable adjustment synchronized and to the lighting and sound and massage, lumbar, tightening sports bolsters and more. The opening sunroof enhances the already huge sense of space. It’s a luxurious lounge and the top end Burmester audio system only adds to the sense of occasion.
Being this beastly does come with a couple of drawbacks that you happily accept. For instance it’s so tall you have to climb up into it. The enormous externally hinged doors take real physical force to open and close them – rewarding physical strength. This car has intentionally steered away from some creature comforts to retain its icon status. A few vehicles stay the same to get better, the 911 being a great example, yet the G63 is less changed in appearance. What has changed is the mill. The 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 is shared across a large number of their top end range. Mercedes build engines with great longevity, and given that this one powers everything from a gangster-ride and the world’s toughest off roader through to a range of track proven vehicles, it’s clearly a cracker. In other guises it pushes you to the legal limit in three seconds. But when 420Kw and 850Nm are hauling 2.6 tons it’s a different matter. Yet the limit is dispensed within 4.4 seconds, frighteningly fast for a vehicle of this magnitude.

Being this beastly does come with a couple of drawbacks that you happily accept. For instance it’s so tall you have to climb up into it. The enormous externally hinged doors take real physical force to open and close them – rewarding physical strength. This car has intentionally steered away from some creature comforts to retain its icon status. A few vehicles stay the same to get better, the 911 being a great example, yet the G63 is less changed in appearance. What has changed is the mill. The 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 is shared across a large number of their top end range. Mercedes build engines with great longevity, and given that this one powers everything from a gangster-ride and the world’s toughest off roader through to a range of track proven vehicles, it’s clearly a cracker. In other guises it pushes you to the legal limit in three seconds. But when 420Kw and 850Nm are hauling 2.6 tons it’s a different matter. Yet the limit is dispensed within 4.4 seconds, frighteningly fast for a vehicle of this magnitude.

Considering the mighty bulk and height, it handles incredibly well and bodyroll is nominal thanks to sophisticated anti roll. Weight plus good rubber means excellent traction so rather surprisingly it out handles just about anything. Oh, and in the background a 48V system runs the start stop and adds a little bit of extra grunt if you need it (you never do), and it makes it that little bit more fuel efficient and smoother. You don’t notice it, it does everything for you and it’s rather good. Drive modes are available on the steering wheel as on the other current AMG models. Rotate to change mode and click to adjust the details of each setting. One click access to transmission, suspension and exhaust settings means hands never leave the wheel while beautiful metal shifters let you drive it as a manual.

What vehicle do you take when you need to attend a wedding in style, but terrible weather means downed trees, floods and slips, 30 kilometers of gravel road and six inches of mud. To get to my friend’s wedding 300 kilometers away there could barely be a more suitable vehicle than the G63. I knew that even if none of the other wedding party arrived, I would make it, which may have defeated the point of going to a wedding if the couple didn’t arrive, but would still give me a great sense of satisfaction. Given two thirds of the journey was on the highway, I got to use Mercedes system for driver assistance, which makes a lot of sense for a bigger vehicle, and makes the distance more relaxing and safer and the ventilated massaging seats ensured I arrived in the best condition. So did I arrive in style? I certainly did. And as often happens, when you turn up at a wedding with the fanciest car, I was recruited into transport logistics, ferrying around the wedding party between photos and other appointments. At one stage I saved the day when the couple got stranded on a beach. On the way back I knew the traffic would be heavy, so I took the opportunity to set all of the Comfort self driving and eco settings that I could to see if this car can drive on the smell of an oily rag. It can’t.

I already knew the off road prowess of this vehicle but note that the G63 comes with low profile tires that are not a first choice for off roading, especially when they’re mounted on such stunning rims. It doesn’t mean you couldn’t do it, you just might worry about those beautiful rims and gorgeous paint job. And here’s my guilty secret. I always reserved judgement for drivers of this mighty box of contradiction. That was until I drove one. And oh my it is better than I thought. Anyone who experiences it feels, quite frankly, awesome. And that’s what you want when you buy a big, expensive car. You want to feel awesome. G stands for Gelände, German for offroad, but so much more than that.