W463A G-Class: 2019–Present Guide
The W463A G-Class is the second-generation Mercedes-Benz G-Class, sold in the US from the 2019 model year to today. It looks a lot like the old G, but it’s new almost everywhere you can’t see, with a wider body, a far roomier cabin and a big 2025 update that added a six-cylinder G 550 and the electric G 580. Here’s what changed year to year, what to check before you buy, and how it rates for safety.
W463A G-Class at a Glance
Model years 2019–present US model years
Debut January 2018 Detroit auto show
Big update 2025 Mild hybrids and the electric G 580
Power range 416–579 hp US models
Built in Graz, Austria By Magna Steyr
Off-road kit 3 locking diffs Plus a low-range gearbox
What Made the W463A G-Class Different
Mercedes kept the boxy shape, the exposed door hinges and the spare tire on the back door, because that’s what people buy a G for. However, the 2019 G is about 4.8 inches wider and 2.1 inches longer than the old one, and it’s roughly 375 pounds lighter. As a result, you get real elbow room and a back seat adults can actually use.
It’s still a serious off-roader, too. Every W463A keeps a low-range transfer case and three locking differentials, so it can crawl places most luxury SUVs can’t. Meanwhile, the dashboard finally caught up with the rest of the Mercedes lineup, with wide digital screens and much better materials.
The 2025 update changed what’s under the hood. The G 550 swapped its V8 for a 443-hp mild-hybrid inline-six, the AMG G 63 got 48-volt assist, and the fully electric G 580 with EQ Technology joined the lineup with four motors and 579 hp.
- 577 hpAMG G 63
- 3Locking differentials
- 7,716 lbG 550 towing
- 22.6 cu ftCargo behind rear seats
What we like
- Much roomier and more modern than the old G
- Real off-road hardware with three locking diffs
- Holds its value better than most luxury SUVs
What to watch
- Very expensive to buy, insure and maintain
- Long recall list, especially on 2019–2021 cars
- The electric G 580 weighs 6,746 lb, and range is under 250 miles
W463A G-Class Engines and Power
In the US you can choose a V8 or six-cylinder G 550, the AMG G 63 or the electric G 580. Elsewhere, Mercedes also sold inline-six diesels and a four-cylinder G 350 in China. Every gas and diesel W463A uses a nine-speed automatic.
| Engine | Years | Found in | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L twin-turbo V8 | 2019–2024 | G 550 (G 500 in Europe) | 416 hp / 450 lb-ft |
| 3.0L turbo I6 mild hybrid | 2025–present | G 550 (G 500 in Europe) | 443 hp / 413 lb-ft |
| 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (AMG) | 2019–2024 | AMG G 63, G 63 4×4² | 577 hp / 627 lb-ft |
| 4.0L twin-turbo V8 mild hybrid | 2025–present | AMG G 63 | 577 hp / 627 lb-ft |
| Four electric motors, 116 kWh | 2025–present | G 580 with EQ Technology | 579 hp / 859 lb-ft |
| 2.9L I6 diesel | 2019–2024 | G 350 d (outside the US) | 282 hp / 443 lb-ft |
| 2.9L I6 diesel | 2020–2024 | G 400 d (outside the US) | 326 hp / 516 lb-ft |
| 2.9L I6 diesel mild hybrid | 2025–present | G 450 d (outside the US) | 362 hp / 553 lb-ft |
| 2.0L turbo I4 | 2020–present | G 350 (China only) | 255 hp / 273 lb-ft |
One new body, one big update
W463A G-Class Changes by Model Year
Most W463A changes came in two steps: the all-new 2019 launch and the 2025 update. In between, Mercedes mostly added special editions, so a 2020 and a 2024 G are very close underneath.
- 2019 Launch year. The all-new G arrives with a wider body, a modern cabin, a 416-hp V8 G 550 and the 577-hp AMG G 63. The G 63 Edition 1 is offered for the first year.
- 2020 Outside the US, the 326-hp G 400 d diesel joins the range, and a four-cylinder G 350 goes on sale in China.
- 2022 A US-only Edition 550 arrives, limited to 200 cars in Jupiter Red, Arabian Grey or Moonlight White.
- 2023 The AMG G 63 4×4² returns with portal axles. In June 2023 Mercedes also announces the 1,000-unit G 63 Grand Edition and, in Europe, the G 500 Final Edition, the last V8 G 500.
- 2025 Big update, revealed in March 2024. The G 550 switches to a 443-hp mild-hybrid inline-six, the G 63 gets 48-volt assist, and the cabin gains an off-road display with a see-through hood camera view. In addition, the electric G 580 arrives as an Edition One model.
- 2026 Minor changes, mostly new colors and more custom options.
- 2027 The G 580 gets a NACS charging port plus a J1772 port, faster 10–80% DC charging (29 minutes instead of 32) and 249 miles of EPA range.
Our verdict: if you want the V8 G 550, shop 2019 to 2024. If you’d rather have the newest tech and driver aids, a 2025 or newer G is the better buy.
W463A G-Class Special Models
The W463A G-Class brought back the wild 4×4², added the first electric G and launched with a run of AMG special editions.
2023
AMG G 63 4×4²
577 hp Portal axles 13.8 in clearance
The lifted G 63 with portal axles has 13.8 inches of ground clearance, can wade through 35.8 inches of water and has a 45-degree approach angle. In the US, it cost about $350,000 new.
2025–present
G 580 with EQ Technology
579 hp Four motors G-Turn
The first electric G has a motor at each wheel, 859 lb-ft of torque and a G-Turn mode that spins the SUV in place off-road. It weighs 6,746 lb, and the 2025 model is rated at 239 miles of range.
2019 and 2023
Edition 1 and Grand Edition
AMG G 63 Limited runs Unique trim
The G 63 Edition 1 marked the launch with black paint and red accents. Later, the 1,000-unit Grand Edition paired Night Black Magno paint with Kalahari Gold trim and gold 22-inch wheels.
W463A G-Class Recalls
The W463A has had a long list of recalls, and several early ones affect brakes, stability control, doors and fuel leaks. So run the VIN before you buy, and make sure every open campaign has been fixed.
| Model years | Campaign | What's affected |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | NHTSA 18V761000 | Engine control unit may reset, which can stall the engine. |
| 2019 G 63 | NHTSA 20V048000 | Turbocharger oil feed line may leak, creating a fire risk. |
| 2019–2020 | NHTSA 20V090000 | Differential-lock module part may fail, disabling the ABS and stability control. |
| 2019–2021 | NHTSA 21V353000 | Rear doors may not latch or open properly. |
| 2019 G 550 | NHTSA 21V564000 | Faulty fuel tank weld may leak fuel. |
| 2019–2021 | NHTSA 23V097000 | Front-axle wiring harness can chafe on the oil cooler, causing loss of ABS and stability control. |
| 2021–2024 | NHTSA 23V445000 / 23V880000 | Fuel pump may fail, causing a loss of drive power. |
| 2022–2023 G 63 4×4² | NHTSA 23V851000 | Rear differential housing may crack. Replaces campaign 22V937000. |
| 2019–2023 | NHTSA 24V659000 | Right rear door latch problem on cars that got a replacement latch. |
| 2025 G 63, G 580 | NHTSA 25V711000 | Front radar circuit board may fail, disabling automatic emergency braking. |
| 2025 G 580 | NHTSA 26V198000 | Incorrect wheel bolts may have been fitted, so a wheel could loosen. |
W463A G-Class Safety Ratings by Region
The W463A G-Class has never been crash-tested in the US, so its only crash scores come from Europe and Australia. Those tests used 2019 cars, and the 2025 update hasn’t been retested.
| Region | Program | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | NHTSA | Not rated | NHTSA hasn’t crash-tested this generation, so there’s no star rating. |
| United States | IIHS | Not rated | IIHS hasn’t published crash-test results for the G-Class. |
| Canada | NHTSA and IIHS | Not rated | Canada uses the US results, and there aren’t any for the G-Class. |
| Europe | Euro NCAP | ★★★★★ (2019) | Adult occupant 90%, child occupant 83%, vulnerable road users 78% and safety assist 72%, tested on a G 350 d. |
| Australia, New Zealand | ANCAP | ★★★★★ (2019, expired) | Adult occupant 90%, child occupant 85%, vulnerable road users 78% and safety assist 73%. The rating expired in December 2025. |
Old scores aren’t comparable. Euro NCAP and ANCAP have tightened their tests since 2019, so a 2019 five-star score isn’t the same as five stars from a newer car.
Buying a Used W463A G-Class
A used W463A is still a six-figure SUV, and it costs a lot to run. Even so, it holds its value well, so buying the right one matters more than chasing the lowest price.
- Recalls first. Run the VIN and check that every campaign is closed, especially the wiring, door-latch and fuel-leak recalls on 2019–2021 cars.
- Budget for upkeep. RepairPal, as cited by Edmunds, rates G-Class reliability 2.5 out of 5, with about $965 a year in average repairs, and the factory warranty is only 4 years or 50,000 miles. A certified pre-owned car or an extended warranty is worth a look.
- Test the electronics. Owners report infotainment freezes and glitchy parking sensors, so try every screen, camera and driver aid on the test drive.
- G 580 range and weight. The 2025–2026 G 580 is rated at 239 miles and weighs 6,746 lb, so make sure the range fits how you drive. In contrast, the gas G 550 can tow 7,716 lb.
Our picks
- Best overall: 2019–2024 G 550 V8
- Best tech: 2025-and-up G 550
- Best performance: AMG G 63
Think twice
- Any car with an open recall
- Cars with no service history
- A 4×4² without the rear-differential fix
Other G-Class Generations
The W463A replaced the long-running first-generation W463. Jump to the generation before it, or see every G-Class.
W463A G-Class FAQ
What years is the W463A G-Class?
In the US, the second-generation G-Class covers the 2019 model year to today. It debuted in January 2018 and got a major update for 2025.
Is the 2025 G 550 still a V8?
No. From 2025 the G 550 uses a 3.0-liter turbo inline-six with mild-hybrid assist, making 443 hp and 413 lb-ft. The 2019–2024 G 550 had a 416-hp twin-turbo V8.
How fast is the AMG G 63?
The G 63 makes 577 hp and 627 lb-ft from its twin-turbo V8. Mercedes quotes 0–60 mph in 4.2 seconds for the 2025 model.
How far can the electric G 580 go?
The 2025 G 580 is EPA-rated at 239 miles. The 2027 model rises to 249 miles and charges from 10 to 80% in about 29 minutes.
Is the W463A G-Class reliable?
It’s below average. Edmunds cites a RepairPal reliability score of 2.5 out of 5 with about $965 a year in average repairs, and there have been many recalls.
Is the G-Class safe?
It got five stars from Euro NCAP and ANCAP in 2019. However, NHTSA and IIHS haven’t crash-tested it, so there are no US ratings.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- Motor1: 2025 G-Class horsepower and update details
- Cars.com: 2025 G 550, G 580 and G 63 prices
- Cars.com: G 580 with EQ Technology review
- Motor1: 2027 G 580 changes
- Carscoops: 2023 AMG G 63 4×4²
- Motor1: G 63 Grand Edition and G 500 Final Edition
- NHTSA recalls database
- Euro NCAP: Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2019
- ANCAP: Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- Edmunds: Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Keep Exploring
See every G-Class generation side by side, or head back to the full Mercedes-Benz lineup.
Photo credits
- Header image: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Dashboard of a 2022 Mercedes-Benz G-Class with…: deathpallie325, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Blue Mercedes-AMG G 63 4x4² with portal…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Blue Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology…: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Rear view of a tan 2022 Mercedes-Benz…: Charles from Port Chester, New York, CC BY 2.0, cropped and resized.