2024 Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV

　　

2024 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　

Pros

Iconic exterior designLuxurious interiorPowerful enginesCommendable off-roading capabilities

Cons

Hard to get in and outNot as much cargo space as expectedUses older Mercedes infotainment techClumsy handling on pavement

What's new

A styling refresh looks likely for 2024Possible infotainment system updatePart of the second G-Class generation introduced for 2019

　　

Overview

When the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class was redesigned in 2019, we'll admit it wasn't easy to tell the new one from the G-wagen that was in production since the Carter administration. Almost any other carmaker would have been vilified for turning out a virtual carbon copy, but this boxy twin made perfect sense for the wealthy clients that are drawn in by the G-Class' imposing presence.

　　If spy shots are to be believed, it might get a little easier to tell a new G-Class from the old. It seems likely that Mercedes-Benz will update the bumpers, grille and external lighting, but we also hope the interior won't be ignored. The G-Class is the last vehicle in Mercedes' lineup using the old infotainment system rather than the praiseworthy MBUX system. If the big G gets the latest system, it could significantly improve its technology score and give the interior a more modern look.

　　Otherwise, the G-Class should continue with the same imposing presence that has made it so popular even in the face of some considerable on-road drawbacks that stem from its off-road excellence. We cover everything we like as well as what could use improvement in our Expert Rating below. As we close in on summer, we should have a more complete picture of what to expect for the 2024 model.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Please note that this rating may change slightly if the G-Class gets an updated infotainment system for 2024.

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　7.0

　　out of 10

　　edmunds TESTED

　　The G-Class relies on style and emotion, rather than planning or execution, to justify its price. There's power and authority from behind the wheel, but this SUV is a mess when it comes to ergonomics and practicality. The technology is a letdown too.

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the G-Class drive? We tested the G 550. Its V8 engine sounds burly and muscular when you mash the gas and, in our testing, gets this SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. That's an average time for a V8-powered luxury SUV.

　　Beyond that, the G isn't much of a performer. The high center of gravity and noticeable body roll don't instill confidence around corners. The traction and stability control systems also aggressively activate to keep your wheels on the ground should you try to get enthusiastic with your driving, which is probably just as well. The steering is precise and weighted appropriately but entirely numb. A wide turning radius makes navigating tight spaces a chore.

　　When it's on, the auto engine stop-start system is jarring and intrusive. On the plus side, the transmission is smooth and responds quickly to driver demands.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the G-Class? The G 550 is compromised in places by its design. The ride is a bit truckish, but it takes the edge off bumps and avoids feeling busy over rough pavement. The seats are nicely cushioned and supportive — perhaps overly so. The seats are rather narrow, especially for a vehicle in this class, and the adjustable side bolsters just don't open enough for even relatively svelte drivers.

　　Noise from the road and from other traffic is pleasantly muted, and the engine settles into a deep, unobtrusive rumble when cruising. But there's noticeable wind noise at freeway speeds, which is likely due to the G-Class' upright styling.

　　

Interior

6.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The G-Class' boxy shape results in some serious ergonomic limitations. The seats are rather high, and while there's some adjustability, the only seating position that really works is to sit tall and square. While the headroom is superb, the shorter door openings and high seat cushions mean passengers will have to duck while navigating the high step up. The step rail is too high to be very useful. While rear passenger space is reasonable, the rear doors' limited range of motion creates more difficulty in getting in and out than it should.  

　　You get a commanding view of the road ahead, but the front window roof pillars are thick and upright — enough to hide pedestrians waiting to cross at a stoplight. The rear view is partially obstructed by the rear-mounted spare tire, and the small side mirrors don't show you a whole lot either.

　　

Technology

6.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Sadly, the G-Class is stuck with the old Mercedes-Benz COMAND infotainment system rather than the newer MBUX. It's not a bad system, but it's comparatively limited in functionality. The navigation display and commands are less sophisticated, for example, and the voice commands are finicky and limited.

　　We also had some issues with the G-Class' advanced driver aids. Adaptive cruise works well enough, though it lacks the Traffic Jam Assist feature of other Mercedes products. Lane keeping, however, is abrupt in its intervention and engages the brakes to drag the vehicle back into line. It's upsetting to experience, and it makes the G-Class unpredictable to other drivers. Worse, it only intervened occasionally without any real way to tell whether it was primed to go off or not.

　　

Storage

6.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The G-Class is far from the most practical large SUV. The side-opening cargo door requires space to operate, but at least it's hinged properly for curbside use. The load floor is high and not that deep, and it is limited on the sides by bulky body intrusions. The second-row seat doesn't fold flat. Its resulting ledge makes it so long, and bulky items can't simply be slid back. Cabin storage for personal items is also rather limited for such a large SUV.

　　If you're planning on using your G-Class as a family taxi, installing child seats is helped by easily accessible car-seat anchor points. But lifting kids and seats up into the cabin can be hard. Bulkier rear-facing seats and infant convertibles might force front passengers to scoot forward more than they'd like.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? We averaged about 13 mpg in our testing of the G 550, which is below the EPA's estimate of 16 mpg in combined city/highway driving for the 2022 model. This Mercedes is a very thirsty vehicle — thirstier than an Escalade — and on par with a Lamborghini Urus.

　　

Value

6.5/10

　　Is the G-Class a good value? You have to decide why you want to buy a G-Class. Mercedes offers interiors of this caliber, along with more and newer technology, on some of its less expensive vehicles. For what you get, the G-Class certainly is not up to the standards of other $100,000-plus Mercedes-Benz products.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　The G-Class is almost a caricature of an idealized SUV experience. There's power and authority to spare, and the view over the hood is like nothing else on the market right now. It's a vehicle that gives you reasons to ignore its many, many shortcomings. Mercedes has mastered the art of emotional appeal across its range. And while the G-Class makes a terrible flagship for its technology and dynamics, it's an amazing flagship for the brand's pathos.

　　

Which G-Class does zzdcar recommend?

Mercedes-Benz hasn't released official information on the 2024 G-Class as of this writing. We'll update our recommendation if anything changes, but based on last year's G-Class, the G 550 is our pick in the lineup. It has more than enough power and capabilities to easily exceed expectations. The AMG versions are excessive in almost every way and hard to justify except for the wealthiest and most hardcore of performance-seeking SUV shoppers.

　　

Mercedes-Benz G-Class models

[Editor's note: The following unofficial information is based on last year's G-Class. We expect the 2024 model will have a similar lineup and we'll update this section once we have complete information.] The Mercedes G-Class comes in standard G 550, performance-tuned AMG G 63 and outrageous AMG G 63 4x4 Squared specification. Each includes a generous list of standard equipment. Feature highlights include:G 550

　　It's not the most expensive version of the G-Class, but the G 550 provides everything you need for storming the castle:

　　Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (416 horsepower, 450 lb-ft of torque) Nine-speed automatic transmission All-wheel drive Two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing Three locking differentials (help provide extra off-road traction) 19-inch wheels Brush guard Tow hitch receiver Three-zone climate control 12-way power-adjustable front seats Leather upholstery Heated front and rear seats LED ambient interior lighting Power sunroofHighlights of the onboard technology include:

　　12.3-inch digital instrument display 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity Satellite radio Navigation system Mercedes Me connected services (three-year trial subscription) Burmester surround-sound systemMercedes G-Class driver assist features include:

　　Semi-automated parking system Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the G-Class and the car in front) Automatic high-beam headlightsAMG G 63

　　For added power and bragging rights, the AMG G 63 is ready to serve with:

　　Turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (577 hp, 627 lb-ft) 20-inch wheels Upgraded headlights AMG body styling AMG performance brakes AMG performance exhaust AMG adjustable adaptive suspension Upgraded leather upholstery Synthetic suede headliner Surround-view cameraAMG G 63 4x4 Squared

　　Introduced in 2023, the AMG G 63 4x4 is impossible to ignore thanks to:

　　Raised suspension Unique portal axles with wider track 22-inch wheels All-terrain tires Exclusive paint colors Matte-finish carbon-fiber interior trim Synthetic suede-wrapped AMG steering wheelOption packages for the G-Class include the following:

　　Exclusive Interior package (premium leather and synthetic suede interior) Seat Comfort package (ventilated and massaging front seats) Night package (adds blacked-out exterior trim and details) AMG Line package (G 550 only; adds AMG-inspired exterior and interior style enhancements) AMG Trail package (AMG G 63 only; adds off-road-optimized suspension, all-terrain tires) Numerous exterior and interior customization options