The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has an international brand value reputation as it is manufactured by a company with over a century of experience in this field. In the U.S., you get only a few varieties, i.e., splashy and flamboyant. This Ultimate Buyer’s Guide is all you need to get to know the G-class better before making a purchase choice.
Used Vs. New
In comparison, ride comfort is better with the electronically adjustable front seats in the newer G-Class models. The electronic differentials should be working properly in used models as they may be struck when unused for a long time.
Another important thing to check is for the oil leaks in the differential.
Coming to the rear springs, older versions are more vulnerable to break. So, that’s another point of concern. When cornering, check for humming noise to ensure the ball bearings are not worn out. Usually, off-roading has greater chances of physical damage on the underside.
For convertibles, roof damage and leaks in the roof are other common issues. You can identify such issues when the interior wind noise is louder than usual. Ensure you check all these aspects thoroughly before purchasing a used G-Class car.
You should also consider the expenses of spare parts that need replacement and their market availability. Newer models though expensive spare you from most of these woes and provide several modern amenities. Especially the drastically improved heating system, better control, and fantastic entertainment system are mention-worthy.
What Is It Like To Drive?
With all the loudness and fierceness obtained from the 563 horsepower, G63 AMG has an impressive start. Unless until you try the steering wheel, you honestly do not experience how enthralling the off-road driving experience can be.
The Yokohama Advan tires offer high-performance, which are wrapped around stunningly forged wheels that serve a lot to assist the G63 in turning the corner. There’s always more to get out of this hefty structured farm truck from the 1970s.
The G-Class foundations are comprehensive for off-road. It’s a tough, solid build with unequaled performance because of the three locking differentials. The newer models offer far better amenities than the older versions.
Unfortunately, those aggressive non-asphalt-friendly tires become a downside when driving on smooth roads. Also, it is slippery in wet grassy areas. Forget the cornering at higher speeds as its heavy weight does not allow it to maneuver quickly on smooth roads.
Visibility is excellent. This model has many appreciable features, from the straightforward command console to manufacturing quality. Braking control with those perfectly capable AMG discs and calipers is perfectly on the mark.
The overall feel of this vehicle is youthful, but the roar from the AMG-G-Wagon’s side-exit exhaust is more electrifying than libelous. Unlike the Range Rover SVR, which does turn heads but is annoying, the Mercedes’s vroom has a deep solemnness.
This off-road vehicle, a seven-speed shiftable automatic with a strong charge, does a fairly well-rounded function easing your concerns.
Though not completely on par with the recent Range Rovers, the AMG-G-Wagon has a substantial swagger and combined with its solid set of mud tires, this G-class is impossible to stop at nothing. Its sporty look makes your utility vehicle a pleasurable experience.
What Is New
The G-Wagon, derived from Geländewagen, made its debut around 1979. A collaborative enterprise between Magna Steyr (former Steyr-Daimler-Puch) and Mercedes outputted this Austrian fabricated off-roader which initially began as a military vehicle and a practical workhorse. But just in a few decades, it became an attraction for the extremely deep-pocketed and razzle-dazzle.
The pioneer G-Wagons were not available in the U.S., which could be owned as two-doors or four-doors. The 460 and 461 were available with gasoline and diesel engine options.
They were all copulated to manual transmissions. After that, i.e., at the beginning of the ‘80s, the G-wagon was upgraded to air conditioning and automatic transmission. However, the complete renovation was not done until 1989.
In 989, the 463 models got a reworked chassis for its 10th anniversary. It also got highly luxurious interiors, three locking differentials, full-time four-wheel drive, and anti-lock brakes.
The 463 generation G-Wagon has perceived many alterations to engine options since its debut for the 1990 model year, including ridiculously powerful V8s and V12s from Mercedes’s tuning division, AMG. In 2002, the G-cart came to the U.S. as a G500 and was dealt with exclusively as a high-end luxury vehicle. It was a dream for a common person to purchase it.
That G500 came with a five-speed automatic transmission and 5.0-liter V8. The G500 was upgraded to G550 in 2009 with a more powerful 5.5-liter V8 with seven-speed automatic transmission. The AMG G63 model later joined the existing G550.
Even though the V8 engine of 5.5-liter was used in AMG G63 and G550, in 2016, it was replaced by Biturbo 4.0-liter V8 for the G550 model. Though AMG G63 continued with the same engine, its horsepower was revamped from 536 to 563.
However, in the same year, the AMG G65 model received a 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 engine with 621 horsepower that could race the hefty SUV to 60 MPH in 5.2 seconds speed.
Powertrain
The powertrain situation on the G-Class is as chucklesome as its hair-raising. It principally uses old-school techniques for this hefty SUV to transmit powerful energy that can drive the hefty motors but uses a modernistic transmission. What’s scary is despite its heaviness, all this mechanism is just bolted.
The G-Class can be thrust forward by three tremendously potent twin-turbocharged engines. In just 5.8 seconds, the G550 can sprint up to 60 MPH with its 4.0-liter Biturbo V8 with a 450 lb-ft and a horsepower of 416.
Coming to AMG G63, it loaded 147 horsepower, 561 torques, and 563 ponies add up to its price tag. However, it does give it a speed of 60 MPH in just 5.3 seconds.
The best of them all is the gargantuan V12 with the extraordinary displacement. It substituted the AMG G65’s 2016 motor, increasing its horsepower to 621 with a twist of 738 lb-ft. Also, its speed improved to 5.2 seconds for a 60 MPH, which is pretty impressive for such a heavy off-roader.
The seven-speed automatic transmission and the all-four-wheel drive this G-wagon offers come with two axels, a two-speed transfer case, and a lockable center differential. You get to enjoy a separate lockable differential for each of them.
Fuel Economy
Based on the city drive or highway, fuel economy varies greatly. Usually, on the highway, we get an economical fuel efficiency, whereas, in the city, it is not the same. You enjoy high fuel efficiency when coupled with the right aerodynamic properties and a powerful engine.
The Mercedes Benz G-Class models are unfortunately not equipped with the necessary standards to achieve excellent fuel economy.
The G-class does not hold well up to the EPA emission rules, and in comparison, to current vehicles in the market, they have the least fuel economy. While the 17 mpg on the highway and at least 13 mpg in the city are expected by EPA, with G-Class, we get at most 15 mpg on the highway in ideal test conditions.
Trim
The Mercedes G-Class has AMG C65, AMG C63, and G550 models. The basic model G550 comes with a 4.0-liter V8, the AMG G63 houses a turbocharged 5.5-liter V8, and the AMG G65 will run on a 6.0-liter turbo V12.
You get electrohydraulic recirculating-ball power steering and solid coil-sprung axles on both the front and the back. The G550’s breaks have 12.4-inch discs in the anterior with a two-piston sliding caliper clamping and, in the posterior, 10.7-inches squeezed by single-piston sliding grabbers.
The 14.9-inch discs in the front are powered with six-piston calipers, and the rear brakes have 13-inch discs using single-piston sliding calipers with clamping.
G550 Model Standard Features
- 10-way vented and power heated, front seats with memory
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- 4.0-liter Biturbo V8 direct injection with stop/ start
- 4.5-inch cluster display
- 80 G.B. hard-drive navigation
- auto-dimming rearview mirror
- bi-xenon headlamps
- Blind Spot Assist
- Bluetooth
- Brake hold feature
- Centrally controlled seven-inch display with COMAND infotainment system
- Distronic adaptive cruise control
- dual-zone climate control
- full-time four-wheel drive
- Electronically adjustable shock absorbers
- front and rear parking sensors
- 12-speaker Harman Kardon 450W sound system
- heated rear seats; heated windshield
- heated steering wheel
- DVD/ CD player in-dash with S.D. card reader
- keyless entry
- LCD monitors in head restraints
- LED daytime running lights
- lockable front, back, and center differentials
- Nappa leather seats
- 19-inch black AMG wheels
- paddle shifters and seven-speed automatic transmission
- power sunroof
- power tilt/ telescoping steering column
- rain-sensing wipers
- rearview camera
- Rear Seat Entertainment System with remotes and wireless headphones
- six airbags
- suede headliner
- trailer stability assist
- twin side pipe exhausts
- two-speed transfer case
- various interior colors
- various interior trims
- voice control with learning
- walnut interior wood trim
AMG G63 Standard Features Over G550
- 20-inch AMG alloy wheels
- 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8
- AMG calibrated dampers and spring rates
- AMG carbon-fiber trim
- AMG Performance Studio Package with 20-inch black AMG wheels
- AMG Performance Studio’s paint treatment
- AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS transmission and paddle shifters
- AMG sports exhaust
- AMG steering wheel
- black AMG wheels
- Black Nappa leather designed with color stitching
- suede headliner
- unique AMGE-SELECT gearshift
- unique interior wood trim
- large brakes
- unique leather upholstery
- various interior colors
- Otherwise, similar options as G550
AMG G65 Standard Features Over AMG G63
- 21-inch AMG wheels
- 6.0-liter Biturbo V12
- AMG G65 body styling
- AMG Performance Studio Package
- heated steering wheel
- Rear Seat Entertainment System
- unique leather-trimmed seats
- various trim and interior leather choices
- various wheel choices
Which One Do We Recommend?
The G550 is undeniably the bold and perfect U.S. version of a hefty SUV that vrooms and turns heads without any doubt. However, if you need more speed, there’s always the G63.
Once you fit your G550 with knobby tires in place of AMG wheels, your car becomes suitable for off-road adventures. Think of making this change if off-road driving is your priority.
Just put your right foot on the accelerator and enjoy the speed and the luxury couple with excitement as nothing can stop you now!
