“There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask why? I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”

Those famous words, attributed to John F. Kennedy, his brother and even a comedian, pretty much sum up what Mercedes must have been thinking when it unveiled the 2013 Mercedes G63 AMG.

Making sense of this luxurious SUV brute is the first challenge. Everything about it is beastly: It looks rugged, it sounds rugged — the doors even slam loudly — and it stands nearly 6 1/2 feet tall. A beast, I say.

Why build a rough-and-tough safari-worthy vehicle that’s lathered in luxury and costs around 130 grand? Especially when few, if any, buyers will want to get it dirty?

“Why not?” Mercedes apparently reasons. Hard to argue with that logic, but it’s also hard to argue with the fun of driving this gas-guzzling elephant.

The G63 AMG is not for the timid. It has a strong presence that will lure curious questions; it has mighty V-8 engines and firm seats and is tough enough to go anywhere it wants.

Handmade in Austria, this big boxy brute comes with a 5.5-liter V-8 that gets 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. But the AMG adds a pair of turbochargers that change the whole equation: 536 horses and 561 pound-feet of torque.

That translates to a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds.

But don’t be fooled by all that power — it’s also faster than a herd of frightened caribou. The 5,500-pound AMG goes from 0 to 60 in just 5.3 seconds. Yet, I couldn’t help wondering who would drive it this fast — and why?

While enjoying the drive, try not to keep your mind off the 12 mpg you’re compiling around town, 14 highway. It does have a start-stop system, which helps the mpg a bit.

Regulating the movement is a seven-speed automatic transmission, which is compliant and smooth enough.

Around town or on the highway, it’s really a pleasant ride, comfortable for five riders and good at keeping the bumps out of the cabin. It’s a tall beast, so corners are not a cinch but do come easier than I expected.

Steering is clumsy rather than sporty, but perhaps it’s really gauged to navigate dirt, gravel and rocks. It is ready to challenge nature with its four-wheel-drive system and three — front, center and rear — locking differentials.

In short, the G63 is incredibly capable but does feel like a truck. Or an oversized Jeep Wrangler from the ’70s.

One oddity both my wife and I discovered: The driver/passenger windows are unusually reflective, causing a distraction. It appears, at the corner of your eye, a vehicle is approaching until you realize it’s a reflection of a car on the other side.

Beyond that, there’s little to dislike in a luxurious interior. The leather seats and trim are soft and rich, much like any luxury vehicle. There’s plenty of headroom but legroom is, surprisingly, limited.

A new COMAND system with a large display screen offers complete services from rear views to navigation. Mercedes’ Mbrace system offers smartphone integration and Web-based apps.

My wife, who considers cup- holders a make-or-break feature, was disappointed with these. Plugging into the dash, they’re shaky at best.

Cargo space is good in the rear, though, with 45 cubic feet with the rear seats up. Fold them down and flat, and it expands to nearly 80 cubic feet.

For a safer time in the big guy, Mercedes has included all of the electronic goodies — front- and rear-parking sensors; blind-spot monitor; Distronic Plus, which monitors vehicles in front; and Mercedes’ PreSafe braking system which activates alarms and brakes when it senses an impact.

With it all are the usual safety features, including traction and stability control, front and side curtain air bags.

There are only two trims. The G550 is superequipped with all the aforementioned electronics, bi-xenon headlights and foglights, and sunroof. Inside, leather and power seats with memory functions, a 7-inch display with navigation and rearview camera, 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound system and all the audio jacks you need.

Upgrade to the G63 and get even more power, with the twin turbo, the stop-start ignition and 20-inch wheels.

I’m guessing that half of you are still asking, “Why build this monster?” Others are satisfied with the simple response, “Why not?” And the rest of you may agree with comedian George Carlin’s perspective:

“There are those who look at things and ask why? Others dream of things that never were and ask why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”