While not all of us here are huge SUV fans, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has always been one of our favorite, and its replacement has grown on us even more.
The potent 4×4 retains the classic, boxy looks of its predecessor, including many details like round lights, spare tire cover and door handles, but everything else is brand new. Most people can only tell its the new model by looking carefully at the headlamps and taillights, as those are the only major things giving it away.
Inside, though, it has been thoroughly modernized. First of all, mostly everything has been changed, legroom and shoulder room has been improved front and rear, and it’s jammed with new technology features. The most striking upgrade is the addition of the well-received MBUX infotainment system, which combines the large screen in the middle of the dashboard with digital gauges and is quite easy to operate once you get the hang of it.
In America, the new-gen G-Wagen is offered in two different grades: you have the G550 entry-level and the G63 top-of-the-line models. But even the base spec is very well equipped and, more importantly, powerful enough, with the 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 kicking out 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet (610 Nm) of torque, for a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) acceleration that takes only 5.6 seconds.
If it all sounds good, then the only thing you have to worry about is the price as the G550 starts from $124,500. The one put to the test in the video here came with a few optional extras, such as the night and exclusive interior packages, which bumped the price to around $153,000. By comparison, the 577hp G63 can be had from $147,500, and if you really don’t need that optional gear, then the lesser grade could be the perfect versatile SUV for you and your family.