Skip advert
Advertisement
Reviews

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

The engineer so good he got banned, and designed a £30k sports car you can buy
Richard Hall Great British Sports Cars
Features

The engineer so good he got banned, and designed a £30k sports car you can buy

From 1:10-scale beginnings via building kit cars, Richard Hall’s passion for engineering led to the creation of his own modern‑day Lotus Seven interpr…
27 Sep 2026
The Nissan Z ‘Kaze’ makes Japan’s V6 coupe T-top
Nissan Z Kaze concept
News

The Nissan Z ‘Kaze’ makes Japan’s V6 coupe T-top

Nissan has gone back to the ’90s with the one-off Z Kaze, making the V6 coupe open-air with a T-top
25 Sep 2026
This forgotten ‘90s Subaru rally car is one of the rarest and only costs £15k
Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA
Reviews

This forgotten ‘90s Subaru rally car is one of the rarest and only costs £15k

The first Subaru Impreza WRX ever sold to the public happened to be the lightest, and a truly engaging rally-derived saloon to boot. We drive the ‘93 …
28 Sep 2026