Name: 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Brand: Mercedes-Benz

2025
Mercedes-Benz G-Class

EPA MPG: 18 mpg

Mercedes-Benz G-Class First Drive

Summary

Introduction

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Is Modernized but Keeps Its Off-Road Appeal

It pushes cabin features into the 21st century

Overview

Whether you call it the Geländewagen (German for all-terrain vehicle), the G-Class, or more colloquially, the G-Wagen, Mercedes’ longest-running and most off-road capable SUV nameplate has an alluring and charming quality that puts it in a league all its own, especially in today’s crowded SUV landscape.

The G-Class seemingly makes little sense as a new vehicle in 2021. It is difficult to get in and out of, has no regard for fuel efficiency, is clumsy to drive on the street, and on top of it all, has a base price around $130,000. Despite its blaring compromises, it backs up its shamelessly boxy shape and contentious image with a storied past, authentic off-road capability, a vigorous powertrain, and a first-rate interior.

Long before the G-Wagen became a beacon of Hollywood celebrity status, it was developed to satisfy the vehicular needs of the Iranian military in the 1970’s. Mercedes enlisted Steyr-Daimler-Puch, a military equipment manufacturer based in Graz, Austria to assist with the project. Engineers tested early prototypes in extreme conditions from the Sahara desert to the Arctic Circle. It would later serve the German military, as well.

In other markets, Mercedes still offers a utilitarian version alongside the civilian model that came to the United States in the late 1990s. Power continuously increased over the years and amenities were added, but the G-Class remained fundamentally unchanged until being redesigned in 2018. Although nearly identical in appearance, it received a new front suspension and steering system along with added safety features and conveniences that modernize the experience.

A major highlight of the G-Class’ redesign is the impressive roster of now standard advanced safety features. This includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking at both highway and city speeds with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning, lane keeping assistance and lane departure warning, as well as a driver monitoring system.

To get a taste for this automotive icon, we rented a G550 from Mercedes. It came with about $25,000 in opulent extras. We don’t intend to buy one to test.

Impressions

Right off the bat, the 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 does its best to get your attention from the moment you start the G550. It awakens with a noticeable bark from its side-exit exhaust before settling into a satisfying rumble. Mercedes quotes 416 horsepower and a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.6 seconds, swift acceleration for such a heavy box on wheels. The power is both substantial and gratifying as it builds and makes the G550 feel very quick. The nine-speed transmission complements the engine’s responsiveness with smooth and decisive shifts. It is hard to believe there is a more powerful AMG G 63 version available.

While many modern off-road oriented SUVs rely on clever software-based traction control systems to improve trail performance, the G-Class gets it done with traditional mechanicals and geometry. It uses three locking differentials, boasts abundant ground clearance, and it has short overhangs that enable aggressive approach and departure angles. Its all-terrain intentions are made clear with the three differential lock switches, which must be activated in sequence, placed front and center on the dashboard. For as much drama as the G creates out on the street, it casually walked up our challenging rock hill without breaking a sweat.

During everyday use, the soft springs and dampers and excess suspension travel that help the G550 excel off road pay dividends to its on-road ride comfort. It easily soaks up most bumps and road imperfections. While we found the handling of the G550 particularly impressive for a body-on-frame vehicle with a solid rear axle, it is ultimately clumsy with slow steering and exaggerated body roll. Mercedes changed the solid axle front suspension system for an independent setup with the redesign to improve handling, but the G-Class still prioritizes off-road capability over on-road dynamics.

Drivers are greeted with a delightfully conventional view from inside the cabin. The seating posture is tall and upright, and the dashboard is so narrow that you feel you could reach right out and touch the hood. The famously boxy shape translates to large flat panes of glass that provide tremendous visibility. Almost all of our drivers complimented the supple leather seats for their comfort and adjustability. Our rented G550 employed every seating-related trick in the book with heat and ventilation, as well as a built in massage function and active bolsters that hug front seat passengers while taking turns.

With a cabin befitting of an S-Class, this is one area where the G550 has strayed far from its utilitarian roots. Almost every surface is covered in leather or crafted from either wood or metal to the point where you hardly interact with anything made from plastic. Our rented vehicle had a swanky two-tone black and brown color scheme with soft suede headliner.

The G-Class features the predecessor to Mercedes’ current MBUX infotainment system, however the controls and layout are very similar. Drivers can interact with the system using a rotary dial or trackpad that are both prominently mounted on the center console. They are often in the way when reaching for other controls or the center storage cubby. As with other Mercedes models, the trackpad is difficult to use and overly sensitive. We also found the low range switch hidden on the other side of the track pad. Small touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel can be used to interact with the gauge cluster and center screen, but they are particularly distracting to use while driving. Most driver’s resort to using the touch screen in other MBUX equipped Mercedes models, however that is frustratingly absent in the G-Class.