Mercedes G-Class AMG

Mercedes G-Class AMG: which version to buy

If the question is which Mercedes G-Class AMG to buy, the numbers split the field cleanly. The catalogue lists six generations from 1994 through the current 2 generation, restyling (from 2024-03-01, stop not measured).

If the question is which Mercedes G-Class AMG to buy, the numbers split the field cleanly. The catalogue lists six generations from 1994 through the current 2 generation, restyling (from 2024-03-01, stop not measured). Across them you choose among G36 3.6 AT, three differently powered G55 5.4 AT (354 hp, 476 hp, 507 hp), G63 5.4 AT, G63 6.3 AT, two G63 5.5 AT outputs (544 hp and 571 hp) plus a 6x6 G63 5.5 AT, two G65 6.0 AT outputs (612 hp and 630 hp), G65 4.0 AT, and three G63 4.0 AT outputs (585 hp, 800 hp, and the restyled 585 hp). There are no prices in this data; the extra outlay is read as extra horsepower, extra kilograms, extra litres, or extra millimetres of clearance.

Generations: what actually changed when you skip a restyling

Treat restylings as steps inside one generation, not as new models.

1 generation (1994-01-01 – 2008-12-31), SUV 5-doors, 5 versions. This is the only place to buy a 6-cylinder G36 3.6 AT (279 hp, Inline, boost No) or a naturally aspirated G55 5.4 AT (354 hp). The compressor G55 5.4 AT (476 hp) and G63 5.4 AT (500 hp) already reach 5.6 s and 5.5 s to 100 km/h. The G63 6.3 AT (444 hp, 12, V-shaped, Compressor) is the slowest of the forced-induction cars here at 6.5 s. Kerb weight of the G63 6.3 AT is not measured.

1 generation, restyling (2008-01-01 – 2012-12-31), SUV 5-doors, 1 version. Only G55 5.4 AT (507 hp). Versus the 476 hp compressor G55 5.4 AT of the un-restyled 1 generation, that is +31 hp on the same 5439 cm³, same 700 Nm, 0.1 s quicker (5.5 s vs 6.5? no 5.6), top speed 210 vs 209 km/h, mixed 15.9 vs 16.3 L/100 km. Gearbox stays Automatic 5, drive AWD, fuel 95.

1 generation, restyling 2 (2012-01-01 – 2015-12-31), Pickup double-cab, 3 versions. Turbo and 7-speed Automatic arrive. The unique buy is G63 5.5 AT (544 hp) with 6x6: 3775 kg kerb, 4500 kg gross, 460 mm clearance, 159 L tank, 5.9 s, 160 km/h, mixed 15 L/100 km; city and highway consumption not measured. The AWD G63 5.5 AT (544 hp) in the same restyling is 1225 kg lighter (2550 kg), 255 mm lower (205 mm), 0.5 s quicker (5.4 s), and 50 km/h faster (210 km/h). G65 6.0 AT (612 hp, 12, V-shaped) is the 12-cylinder pick: 5.3 s, 230 km/h, mixed 17 L/100 km.

1 generation, restyling 3 (2015-01-01 – 2019-01-31), SUV 5-doors, 2 versions. Same 12-cylinder G65 6.0 AT formula, now 630 hp (+18 hp vs 612), still 5.3 s and 230 km/h, still 17 / 22.7 / 13.7 L/100 km, Euro 6 instead of Euro 5. G63 5.5 AT (571 hp) is +27 hp versus the 544 hp AWD G63 5.5 AT; 0–100 stays 5.4 s; top speed is unchanged at 210 km/h; mixed stays 13.8. Rear brakes change label from Disc ventilated to Disc.

2 generation (2018-01-01 – 2024-02-29), SUV 5-doors, 3 versions. All three share 3982 cm³, 8, V-shaped, Turbo, Automatic 9, AWD, kerb 2485 kg, tank 100 L, Euro 6, fuel 98. You are choosing output only: G63 4.0 AT 585 hp, G65 4.0 AT 700 hp, G63 4.0 AT 800 hp.

2 generation, restyling (from 2024-03-01, stop not measured), SUV 5-doors, 1 version. One G63 4.0 AT at 585 hp / 850 Nm — same peak as the 585 hp 2 generation car — but kerb 2640 kg (+155 kg), mixed 15.2 L/100 km vs 13.3, CO2 358 vs 304 g/km, compression 8.6 vs 10.5, fuel 95 vs 98, 0–100 4.4 s vs 4.5 s. City, highway, eco class, clearance and wheels are not measured on the restyling.

Engine specs: what the extra displacement actually buys

Specific output (hp per litre of the listed displacement):

• G63 4.0 AT 800 hp: 800 / 3.982 ≈ 201 hp/L — the densest engine in the catalogue.
• G65 4.0 AT 700 hp: ≈ 176 hp/L.
• G63 4.0 AT 585 hp (both 2 generation and restyling): ≈ 147 hp/L.
• G65 6.0 AT 630 hp: 630 / 5.980 ≈ 105 hp/L; the 612 hp car is ≈ 102 hp/L. You pay 1998 cm³ extra versus the 3982 cm³ cars to get 1000 Nm, which the 800 hp G63 4.0 AT also lists, from 3600 rpm only rather than 2300–4300.
• G63 5.5 AT 571 hp: 571 / 5.461 ≈ 105 hp/L; 544 hp: ≈ 100 hp/L.
• Compressor G55 5.4 AT 507 hp: 507 / 5.439 ≈ 93 hp/L; 476 hp ≈ 88; naturally aspirated 354 hp ≈ 65 hp/L.
• G36 3.6 AT: 279 / 3.598 ≈ 78 hp/L.
• G63 6.3 AT: 444 / 6.258 ≈ 71 hp/L — more capacity than any other version, less specific output than the 279 hp six.

If the buy is “most torque for the fewest cylinders,” G63 4.0 AT 800 hp matches the 12-cylinder’s 1000 Nm with 8 cylinders and 3982 cm³. If the buy is “most torque spread,” G65 6.0 AT (both 612 and 630 hp) holds 1000 Nm from 2300 to 4300 rpm. G63 5.5 AT (571 hp) holds 760 Nm from 1750 to 5000 rpm — the widest listed torque band.

Performance and mpg: where the seconds and litres go

0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest among measured cars:

• G63 4.0 AT 800 hp: 4.1 s, 240 km/h.
• G65 4.0 AT 700 hp: 4.3 s, 240 km/h — 0.2 s and 100 hp behind the 800 hp car; mixed 13.1 vs 13.1; city 16.5 both; highway 11.1 both. The 100 hp and 50 Nm buy 0.2 s and nothing in fuel.
• G63 4.0 AT 585 hp, 2 generation, restyling: 4.4 s, 220 km/h.
• G63 4.0 AT 585 hp, 2 generation: 4.5 s, 220 km/h. Versus 800 hp: +0.4 s, −20 km/h, mixed 13.3 vs 13.1 (0.2 L/100 km), highway 11.5 vs 11.1. Versus the restyled 585 hp: 0.1 s slower, 155 kg lighter, 1.9 L/100 km less mixed (13.3 vs 15.2), 54 g/km less CO2 (304 vs 358). City and highway of the restyling are not measured.
• G65 6.0 AT 630 hp and 612 hp: both 5.3 s, 230 km/h. The 18 hp of restyling 3 does not change the sprint. Mixed 17 L/100 km both — 3.9 L/100 km more than the 585 hp 2 generation G63 4.0 AT.
• G63 5.5 AT 571 hp and AWD 544 hp: both 5.4 s; 210 km/h both; mixed 13.8. The +27 hp of restyling 3 does not buy a quicker 0–100 in this data.
• G55 5.4 AT 507 hp and G63 5.4 AT 500 hp: both 5.5 s, 210 km/h, mixed 15.9. Buying 507 vs 500 is 7 hp and a restyling date, not a faster car.
• G55 5.4 AT 476 hp: 5.6 s, 209 km/h, mixed 16.3.
• G63 5.5 AT 544 hp 6x6: 5.9 s, 160 km/h, mixed 15; city not measured; highway not measured.
• G63 6.3 AT 444 hp: 6.5 s, 210 km/h; city, highway, mixed not measured.
• G55 5.4 AT 354 hp: 7.4 s, 209 km/h, mixed 15.9 — same mixed as the 500/507 hp compressor cars, 1.9 s slower.
• G36 3.6 AT: 0–100 not measured, top speed not measured, all three consumptions not measured.

Mpg in catalogue units (L/100 km). Best mixed among measured AWD SUVs: G65 4.0 AT 700 hp and G63 4.0 AT 800 hp at 13.1, then 585 hp 2 generation at 13.3, then both AWD G63 5.5 AT at 13.8. Worst measured mixed: G65 6.0 AT at 17. The restyled G63 4.0 AT 585 hp at 15.2 is 1.9 L/100 km thirstier than its 2 generation twin despite equal 585 hp. Tank range arithmetic (tank × 100 / mixed): 100 L / 13.1 ≈ 763 km on the 700/800 hp 4.0 cars; 96 L / 17 ≈ 565 km on G65 6.0 AT; 159 L / 15 = 1060 km on the 6x6; 96 L / 13.8 ≈ 696 km on AWD G63 5.5 AT. G36 3.6 AT and G63 6.3 AT mixed is not measured, so range is not measured.

Dimensions and weight: kg per horsepower

Kerb kg per hp (lower is the lighter-feeling car on paper):

• G63 4.0 AT 800 hp: 2485 / 800 ≈ 3.11 kg/hp.
• G65 4.0 AT 700 hp: 2485 / 700 ≈ 3.55 kg/hp.
• G65 6.0 AT 630 hp: 2580 / 630 ≈ 4.10 kg/hp.
• G63 4.0 AT 585 hp, 2 generation: 2485 / 585 ≈ 4.25 kg/hp.
• G63 5.5 AT 571 hp: 2550 / 571 ≈ 4.47 kg/hp.
• Restyled G63 4.0 AT 585 hp: 2640 / 585 ≈ 4.51 kg/hp — heavier per hp than the 571 hp G63 5.5 AT.
• G63 5.5 AT AWD 544 hp: 2550 / 544 ≈ 4.69 kg/hp.
• G55 5.4 AT 507 hp: 2550 / 507 ≈ 5.03 kg/hp.
• G63 5.4 AT 500 hp: 2550 / 500 = 5.10 kg/hp.
• G55 5.4 AT 476 hp: 2550 / 476 ≈ 5.36 kg/hp.
• G63 5.5 AT 6x6: 3775 / 544 ≈ 6.94 kg/hp.
• G55 5.4 AT 354 hp: 2425 / 354 ≈ 6.85 kg/hp — lightest kerb in the whole list (2425 kg), worst kg/hp among the measured eights except the 6x6.
• G36 3.6 AT: 2750 / 279 ≈ 9.86 kg/hp; gross only 2870 kg, so payload 120 kg. Every other measured gross is 3200 kg except the 6x6 at 4500 kg.
• G63 6.3 AT: kerb not measured; gross 3200 kg.

Clearance: 6x6 G63 5.5 AT 460 mm is 219 mm above the 241 mm of 2 generation G63 4.0 AT 585 hp, and 255 mm above the 205 mm of restyling 2/3 AWD cars. 1 generation G36 3.6 AT and G63 6.3 AT list 220 mm; restyling G55 5.4 AT 507 hp and G63 5.4 AT 500 hp list 217 mm; 354/476 hp G55 5.4 AT list 211 mm. Clearance of G65 4.0 AT, 800 hp G63 4.0 AT, and restyled G63 4.0 AT is not measured.

Wheels: only G65 4.0 AT and 800 hp G63 4.0 AT list sizes — 305/35 R23, 305/40 R22, 315/40 R21. Every other version: wheels not measured.

Chassis split that matters on a used buy: 2 generation and its restyling use Independent, spring front and Dependent, spring rear. Every 1 generation step uses Dependent, spring at both ends. Front brakes are Ventilated disc on almost everything; 1 generation restyling G55 5.4 AT 507 hp is Disc front and Disc rear.

Which version to choose

Buy 2 generation G63 4.0 AT 585 hp if you want the default modern car: 4.5 s, 220 km/h, 13.3 mixed, 241 mm clearance, 2485 kg, Euro 6, 9 gears, Independent front. It is 14 hp and 0.9 s ahead of restyling 3 G63 5.5 AT 571 hp, 65 kg lighter, 36 mm higher, and 0.5 L/100 km less mixed.

Buy 2 generation G65 4.0 AT 700 hp only for the 115 hp and 100 Nm over that 585 hp car. You gain 0.2 s and 20 km/h (4.3 s / 240). Fuel is 0.2 mixed and 0.4 highway better. Clearance is not measured. Same 2485 kg, so kg/hp drops from 4.25 to 3.55.

Buy 2 generation G63 4.0 AT 800 hp if the table must show the smallest kg/hp (3.11) and the shortest 0–100 (4.1 s). Versus 700 hp: +100 hp, +50 Nm, −0.2 s, identical 240 km/h, identical 13.1 mixed. Versus 585 hp: +215 hp, +150 Nm, −0.4 s, +20 km/h. Same 3982 cm³, 8, V-shaped, Turbo, Automatic 9, AWD. The 1000 Nm arrives at 3600 rpm, not as a plateau.

Do not assume the restyled G63 4.0 AT 585 hp is the same 585 hp car. It is 155 kg heavier, 1.9 L/100 km thirstier on mixed, 54 g/km more CO2, runs 95 not 98, and its city, highway, eco class, clearance and wheels are not measured. The one measured gain is 0.1 s (4.4 vs 4.5).

Buy G65 6.0 AT 630 hp (restyling 3) if the requirement is 12 cylinders and a 1000 Nm plateau from 2300 rpm. You give up 0.8–1.2 s to the 4.0 cars, 3.7–3.9 L/100 km mixed, and 36 mm of the 241 mm clearance. G65 6.0 AT 612 hp (restyling 2) is the same sprint and the same 17 L/100 km for 18 hp less; the reason to prefer 630 is Euro 6 and the later window (to 2019-01-31 vs 2015-12-31).

Buy AWD G63 5.5 AT 571 hp as the last 5461 cm³ eight: 5.4 s, mixed 13.8 — only 0.5 worse than 2 generation 585 hp — but 210 km/h, Dependent front, 7 gears. The 544 hp AWD twin is the same 5.4 s and 13.8; 27 hp does not move those two figures.

Buy 6x6 G63 5.5 AT 544 hp only for 460 mm, 159 L, 4500 kg gross and Pickup double-cab 6x6. You accept 3775 kg, 5.9 s, 160 km/h, and city/highway not measured.

Buy 1 generation restyling G55 5.4 AT 507 hp or G63 5.4 AT 500 hp** for Compressor, 5.5 s, fuel 95, 5 gears. They match each other on 0–100, mixed and 210 km/h; names differ, physics in this data does not.

Buy G55 5.4 AT 354 hp if you want the lightest kerb (2425 kg) and boost No. You accept 7.4 s and 6.85 kg/hp.

Buy G36 3.6 AT 279 hp only as the 6 Inline, boost No car. 0–100, top speed, consumption, CO2, eco class, torque, rpm, compression and bore × stroke are not measured.

Avoid G63 6.3 AT 444 hp as a “bigger number” buy. 6258 cm³ and 12, V-shaped, Compressor produce 444 hp — 56 hp less than G63 5.4 AT, 1.0 s slower than that 500 hp car — and kerb, mixed, city, highway, CO2, eco class, engine location, compression and bore × stroke are not measured.

Problems and reliability are not measured in this dataset. Prices, MSRP and “for sale” listings are not in the data; choose on the hp, kg, seconds and litres above.