Mercedes-Benz G-Class (G63 AMG) review: the status symbol that can still cross the dunes
4.3/5motorssouq Editorial Team
Buy the G-Class knowing exactly what you are paying for: a genuinely capable off-roader dressed as a status symbol, with running costs and a turning circle to match the image rather than the practicality. If off-road capability is a real requirement rather than a talking point, a properly equipped Land Cruiser does 90% of the job for a third of the price and holds its value far better.
Pros
- Genuine ladder-frame chassis with three locking differentials, not just off-road styling
- 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 makes the G63 seriously quick despite its shape
- Holds resale value better than almost anything else in the Mercedes range
- Unmatched status symbol recognition on Bahrain's roads
Cons
- Wind noise at causeway speed is noticeable due to the boxy shape
- Turning circle and width make tight Manama streets and old car parks a chore
- Fuel consumption and servicing costs are high, reflecting low-volume hand assembly
- Purchase price and options push far past a comparably capable Land Cruiser
The G-Class's party trick has always been that the boxy shape everyone recognises sits on genuine off-road hardware: a ladder-frame chassis, solid front and rear axles, a low-range transfer case and three driver-selectable locking differentials that most SUVs with this badge value never touch. Bahraini owners rarely use any of it, but the small minority who take a G into the desert find it does the job with little drama.
The G63 AMG engine, in short
The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 makes the G63 genuinely quick in a straight line despite the brick-like aerodynamics, and the exhaust note is a large part of why buyers choose it. Fuel consumption is substantial and nobody buying a G63 is doing so to save money at the pump.
Living with the shape
The upright windscreen, flat panels and boxy mirrors mean wind noise at causeway speed is more noticeable than in any modern Mercedes SUV, and the turning circle demands planning in tight Manama streets and older multi-storey car parks. None of that has slowed demand: the G-Class holds value on Bahrain's used market better than almost anything else in the Mercedes range, in part because supply is deliberately constrained globally.
Servicing costs are high and specialist, reflecting the low-volume, hand-assembled nature of the vehicle, and buyers should budget accordingly rather than assuming G-Class ownership costs will resemble a GLE's.