The G-Class grew to become an icon by consistency. Launched in 1979, the Geländewagen employs an analogous components to the one which has saved the Porsche 911 related for over seven many years. Moderately than implementing revolutionary modifications between generations, it leans on evolutionary ones. Though it has undoubtedly turn out to be extra luxurious because the late Nineteen Seventies, the G-Class facilities round a selected aesthetic and driving expertise, which, regardless of important tweaks, nonetheless endures.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G550 I’m driving this week follows this components virtually completely. It’s the least costly G-Class for the U.S. market, sitting under the all-electric G580 and the range-topping G63 by AMG. Nonetheless, with a $149,400 base worth and this tester’s $181,000 out-the-door determine, it retains a lot of its predecessor’s feel and appear however at an elevated worth level.
Usually, this wouldn’t be a problem for a car constructed completely to serve a gaggle of well-off diehard followers. Nevertheless, one main replace launched for the newest G550 is the substitution of its twin-turbocharged V8 with an electrified inline-six. This swap detracts from one of many G’s core tenets: its rumbly engine be aware. Whereas the brand new powerplant is extra highly effective and environment friendly than the one it replaces, it’s additionally far quieter. It’s successfully non-existent in most driving situations. And if that’s the case, why not go all-in with the fully-electric G580?
From an aesthetic perspective, the brand new Mercedes-Benz G550 could also be a case of the identical, identical, however completely different, however that’s a function, not a fault. In case you squint, you may inform that this off-roader options new entrance and rear bumpers, in addition to a grille adorned with 4 horizontal louvers. In distinction, its predecessor needed to make do with simply three. Mercedes redesigned its air inlets to include a square-off design with rounded edges, and its rear-view digicam now sits above its license plate. That’s it.
For Geländewagen followers, this SUV retains its boxy form, towering top, and total aesthetic, which considerably contribute to its iconic standing. Its door handles stay button-activated, making the identical satisfying latching sound as they shut. This tester options the non-obligatory $3,500 AMG Line bundle, which provides an upsized set of 20-inch wheels and flared wheel arches. This pairs properly with the $3,250 Night time Bundle that darkens its exterior trim. Nevertheless, its spotlight stays its $6,500 Manufaktur Deep Inexperienced paint, which, as you’ll quickly be taught, enhances this SUV’s inside fantastically.
On the powertrain aspect, the newest Mercedes-Benz G550 introduces its most vital replace: its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine. It develops 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque thanks partly to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that may contribute as much as 20 hp and 148 lb-ft for transient moments. This output goes to all 4 wheels by way of a nine-speed computerized transmission.
As spectacular as this powertrain’s achievements are on paper, permitting a car that weighs 5,534 kilos to nonetheless hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, it’s an amazing instance of when extra is much less. The Geländewagen is outlined by its capacity to create a way of event. Beforehand, this meant appreciating its boxy aesthetic as you strategy, slamming its door, listening to its world-class latching sound, and listening out for its burbly engine be aware because it involves life. That’s not true for those who don’t shell out for the flagship G63.
As a substitute, what greets you is an engine be aware that’s quiet and uninspiring. It’s the noise you’d anticipate from an E-Class at lower than half the worth. Nonetheless, when you contemplate this truck’s $181,000 as-tested determine, its engine makes an in any other case costly luxurious car really feel decidedly much less so.
Fortunately, this new inline-six is prepared to carry out. It affords ample torque all through its rev vary, and since it depends on a mild-hybrid system, it’s responsive. It’s virtually solely undetectable at freeway speeds and has the advantage of elevated gas effectivity. The nine-speed auto is mated to shift each shortly and easily, whereas its commonplace brakes stay a lot highly effective to persistently gradual this tall and hefty SUV.
Like its predecessors, the Mercedes-Benz G550 stays a correct off-roader first. It nonetheless rides on a ladder body, incorporates three locking differentials, and its switch case sends 40 p.c of its output to its entrance wheels and the remaining 60 p.c to the pair within the rear. From a suspension standpoint, the G550 counts on double wishbones up entrance and a stable rear axle. It pairs springs with adaptive dampers in distinction to the G580’s plush air suspension setup.
A brand new Offroad Cockpit consolidates very important readouts, together with incline knowledge, right into a single display screen, whereas a forward-facing digicam gives a transparent view of the path forward.
The on-road refinement enhancements launched for this newest G-Class technology are instantly noticeable. The G550 soaks up highway imperfections nicely with out extreme physique motions. Whereas it lacks the energetic roll stabilization out there for the G63, it could possibly sort out bends confidently with out appreciable lean. It’s completely damped for cruising at freeway speeds, and due to its in depth isolation, it creates an in-cabin expertise that isn’t interrupted by undesirable highway and wind noise.
A major contributing issue to this tester’s excessive as-tested worth is its $13,250 Manufaktur Inside Bundle Plus. Other than adorning the entrance row with a pair of Lively Multicontour seats, this selection covers this SUV’s cabin virtually solely with Nappa leather-based and in depth stitching. This tester takes the chance to cowl its seats, door playing cards, and two-tone steering wheel in tan leather-based. This shade pairs properly with its darkish inexperienced exterior.
Extra importantly, this bundle goes an extended method to making the Mercedes-Benz G550 really feel each bit as costly as it’s. Virtually each floor you work together with is roofed in leather-based, and other than the touch-sensitive buttons on its steering wheel, this inside incorporates as little plastic as attainable. Whereas its wheel controls could also be cumbersome, you may nonetheless management core features, comparable to this SUV’s local weather management, by bodily switches on the dashboard.
On the tech aspect, the G550 options twin 12.3-inch digital instrument clusters and infotainment screens, each operating the newest model of its MBUX software program. Not a lot has modified on this entrance, so the system will really feel fairly acquainted for those who’ve interacted with different Mercedes-Benz merchandise launched lately.
For 2025, the Mercedes-Benz G550 begins at $149,400. Think about all of its non-obligatory extras, costing an as-tested $181,000. Though these figures characterize a modest improve over the outgoing G550, it concurrently locations the “entry-level” Geländewagen inside putting distance of its electrified twin. For context, earlier this 12 months, the G580 I tester carried an as-tested worth of $192,690 ($162,650 base worth).
But, throughout my week with the G550, I couldn’t assist however assume in regards to the G580. Whereas I can’t but converse for the brand new G63, the electrical G-Class is spectacular regardless of being a first-generation product. Given you can not get a V8 engine in an SUV with out an AMG badge within the rear, why not as an alternative go all in with an off-roader that’s much more succesful as a result of its intelligent use of its electrical motors, better-riding thanks partly to the burden added by its battery pack, and creating 579 hp and 859 lb-ft, far faster too?
The Geländewagen is undeniably an automotive icon. From its distinct aesthetic to its tall stature and its opulent but sturdy cabin, its followers return as a result of, partly, they know they’ll be met with a tweaked model of an expertise that continues to be distinctive. Nevertheless, by eradicating its much-loved rumbling engine be aware, the brand new G550 is likely to be extra spectacular on paper than ever, however in follow, it takes one essential step again.
