Reviews

Mercedes-AMG G63 (2012-2018) review

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

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 

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