Six is Greater Than Eight…

Since its introduction in 1979, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has evolved from its utilitarian roots to the unofficial luxury vehicle of the rich and famous. And it did so without sacrificing its unmistakable character and legendary off-road capability. Its last major update came in 2019 when Mercedes unveiled the all-new W463 generation of the Geländewagen with the radical, for a G-Wagen, new independent front suspension.

Six is Greater Than Eight…

For the first time in the history of G-Class in America, Mercedes will not offer the G 550 with a V-8 engine. Gone is the old M176 4.0-liter turbocharged engine; in its place is a 3.0-liter mild hybrid electrically supercharged and turbocharged inline-six. Mercedes has already used versions of this engine in vehicles in the U.S., including the GLE 450 4MATIC®, though the mill has been wicked-up for G-Class duty.  the new 3.0-liter engine produces 26 more horsepower than the outgoing V-8, 442 hp versus 416 hp. Torque drops, however, at 413 lb-ft for the straight-six to the old 4.0-liter’s 450 lb-ft. Mercedes makes up for that with the addition of the 48-volt integrated starter-generator, which is able add up to 148 lb-ft of additional grunt when called upon. Further, the new engine produces its peak torque across a wider rev range, from 1,950 rpm to 5,500 rpm.

From behind the wheel, the new 3.0-liter inline-six proved to be everything we hoped for and more. The engine is incredibly smooth and quiet, just as one would expect from a premium inline engine. The combination of an electric compressor and the mild hybrid system results in instant acceleration with no perceivable turbo lag.

0-60 MPH Times

Mercedes estimates the 3.0-liter-powered 2025 G 550 will run from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, which is quicker than the 5.6 seconds it estimated for the outgoing model. Fuel economy ratings have yet to be released by the EPA; however, Mercedes assures us that the new engine is also more efficient than the outgoing mill. Mercedes says that with the optional AMG® Performance package, the 5,820-pound G 63 will blaze to 60 mph in about 4.1 seconds.

Electrified AMG® 

The 2025 Mercedes-AMG® G 63 still comes fit with the company’s legendary M177 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine. Power output carries over from the previous year, offering 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. The big story, however, is the addition of a 48-volt mild hybrid system with an integrated starter-generator, just like the 3.0-liter. As with the G 550, the electrification adds up to 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque on demand. The result is smooth and powerful acceleration from a stop, when dropping gears on the highway, and while digging hard through corners with no perceptible lag from the turbochargers.

AMG® Ride Control

In addition to the new electrified powertrain, the 2025 Mercedes-AMG® G 63 also introduces a new version of the company’s Active Ride Control System.

Available as an option with the AMG® Off-Road package Pro, this enhanced version of Active Ride Control uses hydraulically interconnected dampers to precisely control wheel and body motions. The system can change the effective compression and rebound damping rates of each shock, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical anti-roll bars. The system can vary the roll stiffness from a maximum of 6,000 newtons per degree in Sport+ to as little as 1,500 newtons in Off-Road mode.

The AMG® Off-Road package Pro also includes three off-road driving modes, which the driver can fine tune. Using controls on the steering wheel, the amount of roll stiffness can be manually adjusted. And the difference is quite noticeable. While cruising along high-speed gravel roads, the system can be set to high for the greatest level of stability; it can be set to low for maximum articulation.

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