We lived with the Mercedes AMG G63 to see if it really is the ultimate luxury SUV

Living with the Mercedes AMG G63 sounds like the sort of thing you brag about at dinner, but it quickly becomes a very real test of what a modern V8 performance SUV actually is. This boxy, loud, and unapologetically expensive machine sits at the top of the luxury SUV off-road capability hierarchy, at least on paper. As a G-Class luxury SUV, it brings 585hp, a twin-turbo V8, and a price tag that edges into house deposit territory. The question is whether the Mercedes AMG G63 lives up to that promise once the novelty wears off.

The reality behind the Mercedes AMG G63

The first thing you notice is that the Mercedes AMG G63 doesn’t behave like anything else on the road. It doesn’t ease into your life politely, it barges in with a heavy door slam that feels like you’ve just sealed a bank vault. That mechanical clunk is oddly satisfying, like a reminder that this thing has roots far removed from valet parking outside a restaurant.

Under the bonnet sits a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 585hp and 850Nm of torque, enough to shove this brick-shaped V8 performance SUV from 0 to 100 km/h in around 4.4 seconds. That figure feels faintly ridiculous when you’re staring at its upright windscreen and exposed hinges. Yet, put your foot down, and it lunges forward with a kind of aggressive enthusiasm that doesn’t quite match its shape.

There’s a moment under hard acceleration where the Mercedes AMG G63 almost feels like it’s trying to twist itself free from physics. The nose lifts slightly, the body shifts, and you realise this isn’t a polished sports SUV trying to hide its weight. It’s honest about it, which makes the whole experience more entertaining than it probably should be.

Then there’s the steering. It’s not razor-sharp, nor does it pretend to be. Instead, it asks for a firm hand, especially at higher speeds, where the tall stance and square profile remind you that this luxury SUV off-road capability icon was never designed with racetracks in mind.

Inside, things calm down considerably. The Mercedes AMG G63 manages to blend ruggedness with something approaching S-Class levels of comfort, although it never quite lets you forget what it is. The driving position is upright and commanding, giving you a view over traffic that feels borderline unfair.

The interior layout is a mix of old-school functionality and modern tech. Three differential lock buttons sit front and centre, a reminder that this V8 performance SUV still takes its off-road credentials seriously. Around them, you get dual 12.3-inch displays, augmented reality navigation, and a Burmester sound system that can drown out even that thunderous exhaust if you really want it to.

Materials are where the Mercedes AMG G63 quietly justifies its price. The leather feels thick and properly stitched, not just stretched over plastic, and the switchgear has a reassuring weight to it. Nothing feels flimsy, which is increasingly rare in a world where many interiors rely on glossy surfaces to fake quality.

That said, usability isn’t perfect. The infotainment system occasionally feels like it’s doing too much, and some menus require more taps than they should. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it does feel slightly out of step with how straightforward the rest of the car is.

Out on the road, the AMG Active Ride Control suspension adds another layer to the experience. By replacing traditional sway bars with hydraulic systems, it tries to keep body roll in check while still allowing proper articulation off-road. In reality, it works most of the time, but you still feel the car’s size and height when pushing through corners.

The ride itself is surprisingly compliant for something this tall and heavy. It doesn’t glide like a luxury sedan, but it also doesn’t punish you for choosing something with genuine luxury SUV off-road capability. It sits somewhere in the middle, which is probably exactly where it should be.

What daily life with the AMG G63 actually feels like

Daily life with the Mercedes AMG G63 is where things get interesting. For a start, it’s big. Not just in a spec sheet sense, but in the way it occupies space on the road and in car parks. You don’t just park it, you position it carefully, especially with that side-hinged rear door that needs room to open.

Practicality is better than expected, though not perfect. Rear passengers get decent legroom and their own climate controls, and the seats are genuinely comfortable for longer trips. The boot is usable, but the rear seats don’t fold completely flat, which can make loading longer items slightly awkward.

Fuel economy is, predictably, not something you’ll brag about. The V8 performance SUV character comes with a healthy appetite for petrol, especially if you enjoy the sound it makes, which you inevitably will. It’s the kind of car that makes you stop caring about efficiency after about a day.

Where the Mercedes AMG G63 redeems itself is in how easy it becomes to live with despite its size and power. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and a full suite of driver aids take the edge off daily commuting. It’s strangely relaxing in traffic, which feels like a contradiction given everything else about it.

Off-road, it remains deeply impressive. With low-range gearing, locking differentials, and adjustable traction systems, this luxury SUV off-road capability machine can tackle terrain most owners will never attempt. Knowing it can do it, though, adds a certain confidence that’s hard to quantify.

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Compared to rivals like the Range Rover Sport SV or even the Lamborghini Urus, the Mercedes AMG G63 feels less polished but more characterful. Those cars are faster and more composed on-road, but they don’t have the same sense of identity. The G63 feels like it knows exactly what it is, and doesn’t care if that doesn’t make perfect sense.

So, who is the Mercedes AMG G63 actually for? It’s not for someone chasing the last word in handling or efficiency. It’s for someone who wants presence, noise, and a sense of mechanical honesty that most modern SUVs have quietly abandoned.

It’s also for someone willing to accept its compromises. The size, the fuel consumption, the slightly awkward driving dynamics, they’re all part of the deal. But in return, you get something that feels genuinely different in a segment that’s becoming increasingly homogenised.

After living with it, the Mercedes AMG G63 doesn’t feel like the ultimate luxury SUV in the traditional sense. It feels like something more interesting than that, a V8 performance SUV that refuses to smooth out its edges, and is all the better for it.