There's nothing else on the road that's quite like the 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The original G-wagen was an icon, a military vehicle with the interior of an S-Class, and it remained on sale for what seems like forever. The redesigned second-generation version of the SUV arrived in 2019, retaining all of the looks, panache and capability of the original but with a more refined interior and better in-car tech and driver aids. That said, it's far from the most comfortable or best-driving luxury SUV on the road. The G-Class wins on charm more than anything else.
This year, the Mercedes-AMG G 63 4x4 debuts. We can hear you asking: "But don't all G-Class models have four-wheel drive?" Yes, they do. But the G 63 4x4 represents the G-wagen taken to extremes. Also known as the 4x4 Squared, this new model has exclusive drive axles that allow for a significant suspension lift and huge 22-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. As you might imagine, it's darn near unstoppable off-road, unless the trail is too narrow for the G 63 4x4 Squared to squeeze through.
Otherwise, as is customary, Mercedes makes few modifications to the 2023 G-Class. Depending on the model, there are minor changes to appearance packages this year. So, that means the G-Class remains a quick, capable and luxurious SUV with significant off-roading capability and an outdated infotainment system.
In many ways, the G-Class competes in a class of one. Conceptually, its most direct rival would be a fully loaded Land Rover Defender 110 with a V8 engine, though the Mercedes is priced to go head-to-head with the more refined but equally capable Land Rover Range Rover. The Rivian R1S is an electric alternative, and the upcoming GMC Hummer EV SUV may prove itself a formidable foe. Don't fret about the new EVs. Mercedes has the answer to the Hummer and Rivian, and it arrives in a year or two in the form of the EQG.
Ready to learn more? Be sure to read our test team's Expert Rating of the 2023 Mercedes G-Class.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Below Average
edmunds TESTED
The AMG G 63 takes the off-road G-Class and injects it with unnecessary levels of power and bravado. Nobody is buying a G-Class for practical purposes and the even fewer, including us, can rationalize the AMG version. Yet there's undeniable power and authority from behind the wheel, and universal admiration for its style inside and out. Just don't expect anything much beyond that.
Rated for you by America's best test team.How does the G-Class drive? The existence of the AMG G 63 makes little sense, but maybe that's part of the reason why it's so beloved. Its turbo V8 engine sounds burly and muscular when you mash the throttle and it'll scoot to 60 mph from a standstill in 4.4 seconds, as we confirmed at the Edmunds test track. That's ridiculously quick for an off-road-focused brick of a car but on the slower end for any performance-focused luxury SUV of this ilk.
Straight-line speed aside, the G isn't much of a performer on road. The high center of gravity severely limits cornering ability and naturally invokes the traction and stability control systems to step in pretty immediately, which is probably a good thing. The steering returns zero feedback due to its off-road design, but it's precise and weighted appropriately. A wide turning radius makes navigating tight spaces a chore.
When it's on, the auto engine stop-start system is jarring and intrusive. On the plus side, the transmission is smooth and responds quickly to driver demands.
How comfortable is the G-Class? The AMG G 63 is compromised in places by its design. The ride is a bit truckish but not crude. It takes the edge off bumps and avoids feeling busy over rough pavement. The seats are nicely cushioned and supportive — perhaps overly so if you prefer your seats not to hug you as much. The seats' adjustable side bolsters just don't open enough for even relatively svelte drivers.
Noise from the road and from other traffic is pleasantly muted, and the engine settles into a deep, unobtrusive rumble when cruising. But there's noticeable wind noise at freeway speeds, which is likely due to the G-Class' upright styling.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating belowHow’s the interior? The G-Class' boxy shape is what gives it a lot of its appeal, but it results in some serious ergonomic limitations. The seats are rather high, and while there's some adjustability, the only seating position that really works is to sit tall and square. While the headroom is superb, the shorter door openings and high seat cushions mean passengers will have to duck while navigating the high step up. The step rail is too high to be very useful. Rear passenger legroom is less than you'd expect, and the rear doors' limited range of motion creates more difficulty in getting in and out than it should.
You get a commanding view of the road ahead, but the front window roof pillars are thick and upright — enough to hide pedestrians waiting to cross at a stoplight. The rear view is partially obstructed by the rear-mounted spare tire, and the small side mirrors don't show you a whole lot either. You do get a surround-view camera system, which helps with visibility, but the infotainment still uses the older Mercedes COMAND interface, which means that huge screen in front is not touch-operated but rather cumbersomely navigated using a scrolling wheel.
How’s the tech? Sadly, the G-Class is stuck with the old Mercedes-Benz COMAND infotainment system rather than the newer MBUX. It's not a bad system, but it's comparatively limited in functionality. The navigation display and commands are less sophisticated, for example, and the voice commands are finicky and limited.
We also had some issues with the G-Class' advanced driver aids. Adaptive cruise works well enough, though it lacks the Traffic Jam Assist feature of other Mercedes products. Lane keeping, however, is abrupt in its intervention and engages the brakes to drag the vehicle back into line. It's upsetting to experience, and it makes the G-Class unpredictable to other drivers. Worse, it only intervened occasionally without any real way to tell whether it was primed to go off or not.
How’s the storage? The G-Class is far from the most practical large SUV. The side-opening cargo door requires space to operate, but at least it's hinged properly for curbside use. The load floor is high and not that deep, and it is limited on the sides by bulky body intrusions. The second-row seat doesn't fold flat. Its resulting ledge makes it so long, and bulky items can't simply be slid back. Cabin storage for personal items is also rather limited for such a large SUV.
If you're planning on using your G-Class as a family taxi, installing child seats is helped by easily accessible car-seat anchor points. But lifting kids and seats up into the cabin can be hard. Bulkier rear-facing seats and infant convertibles might force front passengers to scoot forward more than they'd like.
How’s the fuel economy? We averaged about 14.6 mpg in our testing after a lot of highway travel in the AMG G 63, which is right at the EPA's estimate of 14 mpg in combined city/highway driving for the 2023 model. Like some other SUVs of this ilk, there is nothing economical or efficient about the G 63, so set your expectations accordingly.
Is the G-Class a good value? You have to decide why you want to buy an AMG G 63. If it's for luxury, you've come to the wrong place. Mercedes offers higher-quality interiors, more and newer technology, and superior performance from its GLE and GLS SUVs. For what you're paying, the G-Class' value is underwhelming. For many it's a status symbol but will sadly not provide much benefit beyond that.
The four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is average, but the same coverage for the powertrain is less than what most competitors offer. Roadside assistance matches rivals in years but comes with a 50,000-mile cap.
The G-Class is almost a caricature of an idealized SUV experience. There's gobs of power and authority to spare, and the view over the hood is like nothing else on the market right now. It's a vehicle that gives you reasons to ignore its many, many shortcomings. Mercedes has mastered the art of emotional appeal across its range. And while the G-Class makes a terrible flagship for its technology and dynamics, it's an amazing flagship for the brand's allure.
The 2023 Mercedes G-Class comes in standard G 550, performance-tuned AMG G 63, and outrageous AMG G 63 4x4 Squared specification. Each includes a generous list of standard equipment. Feature highlights include: