Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes-AMG G63 (2012-2018) review

Modern AMG power and an archaic chassis. What could possibly go wrong?

Evo rating
RRP
from £131,675
  • Occasionally hilarious handling characteristics
  • Often terrifying handling characteristics

evo Verdict

Let’s not pretend the G63 is a proper performance car. Who cares if it’s got a 563bhp twin turbocharged, AMG V8. It also weighs 2550kg, has solid beam axles, a separate ladder chassis and is permanently shaped like an airbrake. But the G63 carves its own, very niche, path so despite some major flaws it will undoubtedly find enough fans that are willing, and capable enough, to fork out the huge amount needed to buy it.

evo Tip

If you’re buying any sort of G63, it’s safe to assume you’re no shrinking violet. So why no go the whole hog and buy the lariest looking of them all, the Colour Edition. It may well be almost £20,000 more expensive than the base G63 but with either bright yellow, orange, red, green or purple bodywork and black accents, it certainly attracts plenty of attention. Great, if you like that sort of thing.

evo Comment

‘The G63 down a challenging road is pure comedy. The combination of live axles front and rear and a ladder chassis, with all the rigidity of balsa wood means the G63 is constantly being reined in by the omnipresent ESP stability control that refuses to turn off’ Harry Metcalfe 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Puncture-proof airless tyres are on the horizon, but they won’t work on performance cars
Airless tyres
News

Puncture-proof airless tyres are on the horizon, but they won’t work on performance cars

Airless tyre technology developed by the likes of Goodyear, Michelin and Bridgestone could see use in autonomous vehicles and public transport in the …
28 Nov 2025
How a sub-200bhp runabout exposes the problem with today’s performance cars
695C Turismo
Opinion

How a sub-200bhp runabout exposes the problem with today’s performance cars

A shortage of long-term test cars flags up a wider problem, says Meaden
27 Nov 2025
Toyota Prius review – believe it or not, you can actually have fun in the latest Prius
Toyota Prius – front
Reviews

Toyota Prius review – believe it or not, you can actually have fun in the latest Prius

The fifth-gen Toyota Prius looks smarter than before, and it’s miles better than its predecessors to drive – you could almost call it fun…
1 Dec 2025