Review: Mercedes AMG G63 gives glimpse into celebrity commute
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If Darth Vader actually ate real food, this is the vehicle he’d take to pick up milk and eggs. In the world of nonfiction, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is driven by such infamous characters as the Kardashians and Kanye West.
Despite its current de facto status as the celebrity grocery-getter, the “G-Wagen’’ or “Geländewagen’’ can trace its roots to 1979. It began as a military vehicle, suggested by the Shah of Iran, who was a significant Mercedes shareholder at the time. Soon after, it made its way to the civilian market, and has since been available in many variations. For decades, Pope John Paul II used a custom G-Class with a bulletproof glass pulpit, earning it the name “Popemobile.’’
The G-Class test model we drove, the AMG G63 SUV, looked a little less divine than the one that carted around “Il Papa.’’ The matte black finish looks slightly sinister, this non-gloss version being extremely popular among the jet set as well as millennials and hipsters.
The G-Class is certainly a head-turner. We’re used to new cars having swooping lines, but this one has squared off windows and edges that look like nothing else on the road. It’s blocky styling made for great road going visibility, as the large upright windows provide great sightlines in all directions.
Parallel parking can be a bit of a chore, though, as the massive chrome spare tire cover blocks a portion of the backup camera. The Parktronic sensors do emit an audible beep when you are getting too close to an object, but a 360-degree camera like that offered on other Mercedes-Benz vehicles and by many other automakers would have been very helpful. It’s not available on this car.
Front seats are comfortable and provide lots of adjustments, but they don’t slide far enough back for those long in the leg. I don’t know how NBA stars drive these things. Yet, the leather on door handles feels incredibly upscale.
LUXURY V. NECESSITY: The brilliant COMAND screen and piano lacquer wood trim are great, but where are all the cupholders?
For all its size, the G-Class is idiosyncratic in its use of interior space. The shifter is in the center console and doesn’t leave enough room for conventional cupholders. (There is a small fold-out one on the passenger side, and two accessible by reaching behind the center console.) Still, the navigation system and COMAND infotainment system are comparable to current in-car tech offerings. It’s easy to navigate and helped by actual tactile buttons for the radio, navigation, phone, etc. You can enter stations manually using the number dial pad.
Seats fold flat, offering up to almost 80 cubic feet of cargo space. Hard paneled seat backs allow you to put heavy items on the folded seats or take your mastiff to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show without worrying about the upholstery.
Pricing and trims are offered like movie theater refreshments; you start at large and it just gets bigger from there. The base model is the G550, clocking in at $119,900. It features a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, making 416 horsepower and 450 lb.-ft. of torque. Our test model was the mid-range Mercedes-AMG G63, which starts at $139,900, but with options like the matte black paint, rear seat DVD entertainment system, and heated steering wheel, came in at $147,875. It features a hand built 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 making 563 horsepower that will get from 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds.
The range topping AMG G65 costs $217,900, and its 6-liter twin-turbo V12 will rocket the G-Wagen from 0 to 60 in just 5.2 seconds. Not bad for a vehicle that weighs about as much as a Chevy Silverado 2500 HD.
When starting, our G63 test model made a raucous sound fully capable of waking up the neighbors. It is a perfect audible complement to the visual statement of matte paint and chrome bull bars.
Step on the accelerator and the G-Class delivers incredible acceleration. Our test model also cornered surprisingly well. There is minimal body roll for a vehicle that looks top heavy. EPA estimates for our test model are 12 mpg city, 14 mpg highway, 13 combined. When you own five houses, dropping nearly $70 on premium fuel to fill the 25.4-gallon fuel tank is no biggie.
I’ve driven my fair share of high-end sports cars that call attention to themselves. Folks give a thumbs up or wave as a Dodge Challenger Hellcat McLaren 650 drives by; they will even come up to ask about it. The G-Wagen is something else completely. It’s head-turning, but keeps its distance from those you pass by.
For many celebrities, being stuck in traffic is the only time they are forced to get close to all of us, and the military DNA of the G-Wagen says, “Look at me, but don’t you dare ask for a selfie.’’
2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 SUV
THE BASICS
Price: $139,900, as tested $147,875. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 12/14. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 12.3 mpg. Drivetrain: 5.5L twin-turbocharged V8, 7-speed AT, four-wheel-drive. Body: five-door SUV.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 563. Overall length: 187.5 in. Wheelbase 112.2 in. Height: 76.3 in. Width: 80.9 in. Curb weight: 5,833 lbs.
THE GOOD
Incredible appearance, incredible sound, incredible acceleration.
THE BAD
Difficult parking characteristics, minimal interior ergonomics.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Like driving the perfect metaphor for vanity and wealth.
ALSO CONSIDER
Infiniti QX80, Lexus LX, Cadillac Escalade ESV, second-market Humvee.
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