Mercedes-AMG G63 (2012-2018) review - Interior and tech

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

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

Interior and tech

The G63 gets all the goodies you’d expect of a £130,000 plus car; a satnav screen, lots of carbon fibre, metal switches, screens in the back, surround sound speakers, climate control, leather electrically adjustable seats and a thick leather steering wheel festooned with buttons. There are also some typical AMG treats too; a stubby gear selector with the AMG crest embossed in the leather on top and metal gear change paddles on the steering wheel. But what you get on the G63 that you don’t get in any other AMG is three buttons to engage the diff-locks on the front, centre or rear differentials.

The entire car is a collection of unexpected and inappropriate components so all of Mercedes have crammed inside the 1970s G-Wagen fits the G63 ethos well, but they could have gone completely crazy and fitted it with a jacuzzi, a satellite dish or a teasmaid and it still wouldn’t be a shock.

However, the result isn’t particularly stylish; the door panels are covered in ruched, black leather and, if it weren’t for the yellow stitching, the whole interior would look like a goth’s coffin.

Whether it looks good or not, there’s no denying it’s been put together exceptionally well. The doors close with a satisfying thud and the interior handles feel like they could suspend your entire bodyweight.

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