Mercedes-Benz G-Class (W463A, 2019 on) buying guide

From 2019 to 2024 the G550 has a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (M176) with 416 hp and 450 lb-ft. The AMG G63 uses the M177 version of that engine, with 577 hp and 627 lb-ft. CarScout treats them as two different vehicles on one body, so research G 550 cars and AMG G 63 cars separately.

For 2025 the G550 lost its V8 and took a 3.0L turbo inline-six with 48-volt mild hybrid, 443 hp and 413 lb-ft, rated at about 18 mpg combined. The G63 kept the V8 and gained mild-hybrid assist and a new hydraulic suspension. MBUX infotainment also debuted that year. Earlier cars use the older COMAND-based system, with a 12.3-inch central screen and a digital instrument display of the same size.

Sources disagree on the best year. CarsCounsel calls 2019 through 2023 the best run and names the 2021 G550 top pick. CarScout prefers a 2024 V8, on the strength of the cleanest recall history among the pre-refresh years. The G-Class price guide shows how each year is priced.

The G63 4x4 Squared is a separate, very low-volume vehicle with its own recall population, so none of the regular G63 advice here applies to it.

The G63's oil separator is the fault buyers talk about most, but it is not the only one.

Oil separator and rear main seal

If the crankcase-ventilation oil separator clogs, internal pressure rises and can roll the rear main seal lip, which leaks oil. The part is cheap, yet the transmission has to come out to reach it. CarScout calls it the most-discussed G63 problem, worse on the M177 because that engine runs closer to its limits, with failures clustering around 40,000 miles.

Early G550 oil use

Early 2019 G550 production had documented heavy oil consumption and misfires. Mercedes revised the ignition coils and reflashed the ECU on some cars.

Intake valve carbon

Direct injection on the M177 lets carbon build up on the intake valves. Specialists recommend cleaning them every 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

Steering pull and linkage

One G63 kept pulling to one side after several dealer repair attempts. The steering linkage and damper are flagged as more failure-prone than typical for the brand.

Broken springs

Springs are known to break after heavy off-road use. A loud thump over speed bumps can point to a faulty one, says RAC Drive.

Early software and electrics

Early 2019 cars can suffer software glitches, sensor failures, infotainment freezes and the occasional parasitic battery drain, according to Autojunket.

Brake pads and rotors wear quickly on this heavy truck, and Autojunket singles out the G63. Haynes lists brake fluid every 24 months and spark plugs every 80,000 km or 48 months for the G 63.

The biggest figure in the sources is the separator job. CarScout quotes one repair on a comparable M177-powered AMG at 27 labor hours and $9,300, because the separators are replaced along with the seal. Budget for the recurring intake cleaning on the M177 as well.

Look for a 2021 G550. CarsCounsel rates it the best G-Class, it sits inside the 2019-2023 run that source favors, and it sidesteps the early-2019 oil consumption and software problems. A 2024 V8 is the other route, for the clean recall record CarScout reports. Browse used G-Class listings for either one, or see G 550 cars on the market.

Pick a G63 if you want the one RAC Drive says suits those wanting to impress (our AMG G 63 market page shows every one for sale), but only with invoices covering the oil separators and rear main seal, since the quoted repair was $9,300. On a 2019 car, insist on proof that the latch recall was closed.