Mercedes-Benz g Class

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a time machine of an SUV. Developed as a military-grade off-road specialty vehicle, it's since had layers of luxury applied to its hardcore hardware.

The G-Class hasn’t changed much outwardly over the years, though mechanically it's been continually upgraded with modern running gear. The latest models provide the nicest trappings and silly amounts of power. It's developed a loyal international following from off-road enthusiasts and military buffs.

Deriving its name from Geländewagen, literally German for "off road vehicle," the G-Class is truly unlike anything else on the road.

But that's not to say that the three-pointed star brand hasn't been busy with the G-Wagen, as it's known to enthusiasts, over the last few years. Last year, new engines were planted into the G-Class, and this year an outlandish, range-topping G550 4x4² (that's "four-by-four squared") joins the lineup with off road-oriented portal axles, gigantic tires, and about 17 inches of ground clearance over the standard G-Class range.

The latest Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The G-Class' engines changed for 2016. The base G550 swaps out its naturally aspirated 388-horsepower 5.5-liter V-8 for a 416-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. The G63 AMG's twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 gets a bump in horsepower from 544 hp to 563 hp, and Mercedes also introduced the V-12-powered G65 AMG, now with 621 hp and massive 738 pound-feet of torque. Other 2016 changes for the Geländewagen included new bumpers, adjustable shocks for the G550, a new gauge design, and an expanded color palette.

A boxy, tall, flat-sided SUV, the G-Class is unique in its design and its longevity, with only the Jeep Wrangler lending the same off-road-centric, retro feel. Those who want the same kind of old-school manners would have to otherwise consider a used Land Rover Defender or ancient Toyota Land Cruiser, now that the entire HUMMER brand has been consigned to history's junkyard and Toyota has discontinued the FJ Cruiser.

Driving the G-Wagen is unlike piloting any newer vehicle. The belt line is rather low, and passengers are surrounded by tall glass windows, with a good view ahead over the hood. There’s barely seating for five, entry/exit is challenging, and the seats are somewhat flat with short bottom cushions. Although today's G-Wagen has plenty of power on tap, the big 'ute feels top-heavy and cumbersome and won’t respond kindly to quick changes of direction. There’s also considerably more road noise than anything else in the Mercedes-Benz stable, though upholstery and trim are top-notch, with heated-and-cooled seats, a heated-steering wheel, and a leather-padded dash.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class history

The G-Class originally was developed by Mercedes-Benz for the Shah of Iran and military use, but was introduced for civilian buyers in 1979, after the Shah was deposed.

Hand-assembled in Austria, the so-called G-Wagen fit the part of basic off-roader at first, with a modest lineup of gasoline and diesel engines and three body styles—two- or four-door hardtop, or two-door softtop. Although it wasn't officially sold in the U.S., a number of G-Wagens were imported as a gray-market product and sold to the wealthy as a status symbol in the 1980s. By the mid-1990s, a V-8 version had been introduced, as well as a power-convertible version, and interior appointments became more luxurious.

Mercedes finally began importing the G-Class to the U.S. for the 2002 model year. It was initially offered here only as the V-8-powered, 292-hp G500; the AMG-tuned G55 followed a year later with 349 hp and later received a power upgrade to 476 hp thanks to a supercharged V-8. For 2012, Mercedes offered a 382-hp, 5.5-liter V-8 in the G550 and a 500-hp version in the G55 AMG. Fuel economy has never been a strong point for the G-Wagen, dipping down as low as 11 mpg city, 13 highway for the thirstier AMG model.

The G-Class has been changed very little in the time it has been on sale here, but an updated version arrived to the U.S. market for the 2013 model year. At that time, the 388-hp G550 was joined by a revamped AMG model, the G63, outfitted with a new twin-turbo, 5.5-liter V-8 with 544 hp, a stop-start system, and a 7-speed automatic. Most other hardware was carried over, but American versions got new round dials in the instrument cluster, a fixed LCD screen mounted on top of the dash for display of the navigation system, and the latest version of Mercedes' infotainment controller, which also operates an app and connectivity suite.

Mercedes-Benz recently ended limited production of a special 6x6 (six-wheeled, six-wheel-drive) version of the G-Class outfitted with a small pickup bed in the back. About 100 were built and cost more than $500,000 each. At the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes also unveiled a 4x4 version with the same enhanced off-roading equipment—including high-clearance portal axles and modified suspension with remote-reservoir shocks—but in the normal G-Class. It is called the G500 4x4², and it is currently available overseas. This model's shorter length compared to the 6x6 certainly makes it more maneuverable off-road, not to mention friendlier to city streets and garages, assuming it isn't too tall to clear the entrance. Its high-clearance axles let it roll over just about anything on its 18-inch beadlock wheels wrapped in aggressive off-road rubber.

A few times in the past the G-Class has been nearly axed from the lineup, with Mercedes-Benz unsure whether it should continue to engineer and develop future models, given such niche appeal. However, the company has decided to keep production going until at least 2019.