2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class facelift unveiled, AMG G63 for Australia
The iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been given its biggest update in six years, with new technology, tweaked styling and mild-hybrid technology for the first time.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been unveiled – the facelift of the current-generation off-roader introduced in 2018 – with subtle styling revisions, new technology, and smaller engines boosted by hybrid technology.
The high-performance AMG G63 will remain the only petrol-powered G-Class variant available in Australia when Mercedes-Benz showroom arrivals commence in the fourth quarter of this year (October to December).
However it will be joined at the same time by the first electric G-Class, a four-motor, circa-three-tonne machine previously referred to as the EQG, but now set to be called the G-Class electric, or G-Class with EQ technology.
Details of the electric model are yet to be revealed, but new for the regular range is mild-hybrid technology – and in Europe, the switch from a V8 to turbo six-cylinder in the G500, the flagship model under the G63.
The G63 retains a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 engine with 430kW and 850Nm, but gains a 48-volt mild-hybrid system which can add a 15kW/200Nm boost under acceleration, or let the car coast with the engine off at a constant speed.
It is quicker to accelerate, now capable of 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds as standard – down from 4.5sec previously – or 4.3 seconds with the AMG Performance Package, which also lifts the top speed limiter from 220km/h to 240km/h.
Included in the option package – as well as the AMG Offroad Package Pro – is trick semi-active suspension derived from AMG sports cars, which deletes the anti-roll bars, and adds hydraulics which vary the compression and rebound settings for the damper on each wheel.
Controlled through a series of flow valves, the system is claimed to support the body in corners to reduce body roll, stabilise the body over bumps to improve comfort, and increase wheel-axle articulation off road.
The system – an option over the regular adaptive dampers – allows drivers to vary the roll stiffness of the G63, and select how much articulation they would like from the wheels.
The updated G-Class remains the fundamentals of its predecessor, with three differential locks, low-range gearing, independent front and solid rear axles, 241mm of ground clearance, a 700mm wading depth, and approach and departure angles of 31 and 30 degrees respectively.
Blink and you'll miss the styling changes – including tweaked front and rear bumpers, a new grille on regular models with four louvres instead of three, and a repositioned rear-view camera with its own washer.
There is new windscreen pillar cladding, a rear spoiler lip, new 18 to 20-inch wheel designs, and new insulation materials, all designed to improve aerodynamics or reduce road noise.
In Europe, customers can order their G-Class with various packages: Professional Line (headlight stone guards, mud flaps and all-terrain tyres), Exclusive Line (chrome grille, stainless-steel spare-wheel surround, and more), AMG Line (including wheel-arch extensions and 20-inch wheels) or the blacked-out Night Package.
New for the 2025 G63 is Manufaktur Hyper Blue Magno paint, reshaped front bumper with three louvres in the lower-side intakes, an AMG crest on the bonnet, new alloy wheel designs, and a silver and black fuel filler cap.
An AMG Exterior Carbon Fibre Package can be optioned, with the spare wheel cover, bumper inserts, and front and rear bumper trim finished in carbon fibre, plus a dark chrome grille, carbon-look mirror caps, black spare wheel ring, and darkened headlight and indicator housings.
Inside, the touchpad infotainment controller has been scrapped in favour of touch control only for the 12.3-inch central screen, alongside the 12.3-inch digital instrument display.
It runs new-generation MBUX software with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, augmented-reality satellite navigation and a 'Hey Mercedes' voice assistant, plus connectivity through a USB-C port.
New interior features include temperature-controlled cupholders, wireless phone charging, and the MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment system with two rear 11.6-inch screens.
Further interior changes include illumination for the side air vents, a redesigned off-road control panel, and a new steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls.
Available features include keyless entry for the side doors and tailgate, an in-built dashcam, and Burmester 3D surround sound system with a speaker in the headliner.
The G63 is differentiated by an AMG-specific steering wheel – among other changes, including sports seats and upholstery – while its driver display includes a Supersport view with a central tachometer.
Under the skin, Mercedes-Benz has added an Offroad Cockpit system, which shows "the most relevant data for off-road driving in both the driver and media displays," including an artificial horizon, location, compass, altitude, steering angle, power, torque, tyre pressure, and vehicle temperature.
Similar to other Mercedes-Benz SUVs, there is a 'transparent bonnet' view for the 360-degree camera which creates a "virtual view" from under the front of the vehicle.
The adaptive dampers in most models has been retuned for improved off-road capabilities, and there are four drive modes for on-road use (Comfort, Sport, Eco and Individual), plus Trail (for gravel and dirt roads), Rock, and Sand off-road modes.
Europe will be offered a wider range of engines alongside the G63, all of which will be augmented by 48-volt mild-hybrid technogy to reduce emissions.
The petrol G500 has ditched its 4.0-litre V8, replaced by a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder with twin electrically-assisted turbochargers, developing 330kW and 560Nm – plus a brief 15kW/200Nm boost available from the mild-hybrid system under hard acceleration.
The G450d diesel uses a 3.0-litre turbo inline-six with 270kW and 750Nm – also fitted with 48-volt mild-hybrid tech.
All models use a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, with the ability to skip gears to save fuel, or decouple its clutch from the engine to coast for the same reason.
The G-Class can be switched to low-range gearing when in Neutral at speeds up to 40km/h – and back to high-range at up to 70km/h – and offers permanent 4WD capability for use on sealed surfaces.
New safety technology includes lane centring assist, an updated adaptive cruise control system which can slow for bends and toll booths, and Active Emergency Stop Assist, which brings the vehicle to a safe stop if the driver is detected to be incapacitated.
These join carry-over features such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, park assist, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and a series of parking cameras and sensors.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is due in Australian showrooms between October and December 2024.
2025 Porsche Macan electric: Stuttgart’s biggest gamble yet
