Let鈥檚 get this out of the way right off the top: If you ask me, the Mercedes-Benz G550 is the only new G-class to buy. It鈥檚 already a spendy vehicle and dropping even more money to get the performance-oriented Mercedes-AMG G63 version of a body-on-frame, off-road-focused SUV with a live rear axle and three locking differentials makes no sense to me. Paint: Non-metallic Polar White is tempting鈥擩acky Ickx won the 1983 Paris-Dakar rally outright in a white G-class鈥攂ut I鈥檇 go with Iridium Silver to dull some of the shiny exterior details, plus it鈥檚 easy to clean. 6500 and looks a bit unsanitary in certain light. Wheels: The standard eight-spoke, 19-inch setup is best, although I wish they were silver instead of two-tone gray and polished silver. I prefer the silver European 18-inch wheels most of all, but they aren鈥檛 offered in the States. Turning to the Mercedes parts counter would be my solution, along with fitting off-road-focused tires (I鈥檇 run dedicated winter tires on the factory 19-inch wheels). Mercedes-Benz USA confirmed something I鈥檇 heard from a source: the 18-inch wheels with Mercedes-spec Falken all-terrain tires are coming to the States as an option in late 2019. Thank God.

Let鈥檚 get this out of the way right off the top: If you ask me, the Mercedes-Benz G550 is the only new G-class to buy. It鈥檚 already a spendy vehicle and dropping even more money to get the performance-oriented Mercedes-AMG G63 version of a body-on-frame, off-road-focused SUV with a live rear axle and three locking differentials makes no sense to me. Paint: Non-metallic Polar White is tempting鈥擩acky Ickx won the 1983 Paris-Dakar rally outright in a white G-class鈥攂ut I鈥檇 go with Iridium Silver to dull some of the shiny exterior details, plus it鈥檚 easy to clean. 6500 and looks a bit unsanitary in certain light. Wheels: The standard eight-spoke, 19-inch setup is best, although I wish they were silver instead of two-tone gray and polished silver. I prefer the silver European 18-inch wheels most of all, but they aren鈥檛 offered in the States. Turning to the Mercedes parts counter would be my solution, along with fitting off-road-focused tires (I鈥檇 run dedicated winter tires on the factory 19-inch wheels). Mercedes-Benz USA confirmed something I鈥檇 heard from a source: the 18-inch wheels with Mercedes-spec Falken all-terrain tires are coming to the States as an option in late 2019. Thank God.

But they鈥檒l be painted black, which isn鈥檛 pleasant. I鈥檓 100 percent over devilish black wheels, especially on an SUV. Etc.: I鈥檇 make two further exterior changes to the G550. The first is to remove the hideous, standard-in-the-USA brush guard (and then plugging the holes in the front bumper). I鈥檇 also bin the unattractive spare-tire cover. But the latter requires a modification to flip the full-size spare, as it鈥檚 installed backwards under the cover. Luckily, the aftermarket is on the case and offers just such a fix. Seats: I鈥檇 stick with the standard black leather. I鈥檓 not too keen on Nut Brown, and Macchiato Beige is far too light for an off-roader. There are further color options with the Designo Nappa and Designo Exclusive Nappa leather, but they add unneeded cost. Trim: The standard Natural Grain Walnut is pleasant but contrasts too much with the black interior, especially on the dash-mounted passenger grab handle. I鈥檇 be tempted by Metal Weave (no-charge) but it鈥檚 slightly too ostentatious.

2220, you get ventilated seats plus rapid seat heaters (a must for me in Michigan), as well as multi-contour seats with massage and active side bolsters (neither are all that necessary, but they can be turned off). 1400 active dampers improve body control and have a specific tune when the G550 is in the off-road 鈥楪-Mode鈥? But take note that these optional suspension parts sit quite low and look slightly susceptible to off-road damage, especially in the rear. 200. That鈥檚 it鈥攖he rest is just fluff. 3470) bundle as it adds superfluous equipment such as funky wheel arches and 20-inch wheels鈥攁lways say no to low-profile tires on a G-wagen. Sure, you miss out on the sport exhaust, but the stock setup still sounds good. 1900) forces you into AMG Line, so that鈥檚 an easy pass. Sticking with the base leather interior means you don鈥檛 end up with either of the two upgraded interior packages, which is fine. 12,200) and include a frameless rearview mirror plus loads of extra leather and luxurious cosmetic details.

500 of leather and faux-suede. With 1.5 inches of extra leg and shoulder room up front relative to the previous model, the new G63 is more comfortable than ever. 7,200 Exclusive Interior Package Plus that adds items diamond-stitched leather, a faux suede headliner, a leather-covered dashboard, and heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats. Nor are those in the rear forgotten about, as the G boasts a massive 5.9 inches of extra legroom and 1.1 inches of additional shoulder room over the old model. The extra space works in conjunction with standard heated outboard rear seats and a fold-down rear armrest (something missing from the previous G) to make the 60/40 split-folding three-across rear bench a legitimately comfortable place to rest up. Still, the G63 is no S-Class, and Mercedes鈥檚 big box is sure to let down those in search of the brand鈥檚 flagship sedan鈥檚 rear-seat accommodations in an SUV package.