The G-Class SUV from Mercedes-Benz is a vehicle that has a rich military history as one that was originally designed for transporting military personnel over very rough terrain in Europe. With this history and the Mercedes-Benz name, the G-Class has evolved, but not by much, into a high end luxury SUV that still offers upright seating and a still boxed design that offers any owner the enjoyment of this throw back design and the ability to throw inside a plethora of gear and equipment to either go from home to home or to head out to an outdoor destination for some awesome fun and adventure.
For those looking for an audacious and capable vehicle that has awesome raw power the G-Class makes a great choice in the luxury SUV class especially the G63 model. Even though this seems like an outdated SUV that requires a serious upgrade, Mercedes-Benz has found this to actually be part of its charm and has made no major changes to the G-Class from the 2014 model giving 2015 shoppers a highly enjoyable and capable SUV to take full advantage of and drive on or off the road.
With the appearance of a large and looming vehicle the G-Class looks like a throw back that will not perform well at all. This excellent SUV will surprise anyone who even entertains the thought of less than stellar performance from this beast. With a very adept suspension and a highly tuned steering and braking system this massive vehicle will handle corners and offer control that is better than expected. Add the awesome power from the powerful V8 engines the G-Class can give any owner a great driving experience full of excellent performance and confidence on or off the road.
The G-Class is powered by two very powerful engines that are attached to a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters to offer some manual control. The AMG version features a start/stop features to save some fuel which comes at a premium for this vehicle with either engine in place. Speaking of premium; that is the fuel that must be used to power the G-Class SUV creating a large expense when driving for long distances or long off road travels. The towing capacity with either engine comes in at 7,000 pounds giving any owner the opportunity to tow just about anything they need to.
The first engine in the pair is a 5.5-liter V8 found in the G550 which offers 382 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is naturally aspirated and gives a fuel mileage that shows up at 12 city/15 hwy mpg. The second and more powerful engine is this same 5.5-liter V8 with an added twin-turbocharger in place for the G63 AMG model. This model shows up with 563 horsepower and 561 lb.-ft. of torque and offers a very similar fuel mileage that comes in at 12 city/14 hwy mpg.
The interior of the G-Class is truly a work of art for Mercedes-Benz. Although the outside looks utilitarian, the inside is adorned in premium leather and handcrafted and polished accents that offer a great deal of appeal and luxury to anyone inside the vehicle. With the boxy and tall profile headroom is plentiful and the cargo space comes in at a massive 45 cubic feet behind the second row that can be increased to nearly 80 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The controls are a mixture of old and new with knobs and dials along with a seven-inch command center screen to give the vehicle plenty of updated technology.
While other lines have gone the way of softer corners and curves the G-Class remains one of the truly box shaped SUVs on the road today. This awesome performer shows an upright shape that allows for all the interior space to be enjoyed and offers some great exterior features such as LED daytime running lights, electrically folding mirrors and a fresh grill for the AMG version to give this classic look a few modern touches. The final piece for this beast is the large alloy wheels that carry the load under the G-Class which are both gorgeous and masculine in nature.
Standard is not even a proper definition of the features and amenities aboard either model of the G-Class with both touting leather and wood interiors, a navigation system, a rearview camera, a 12-speaker Harman/kardon audio system with HD Radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, USB inputs, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and power-folding side mirrors. The AMG model adds Designo leather, 20-inch wheels, high-performance brakes and sport exhaust pipes. The off road capabilities are the result of the permanent all-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case and three lockable differentials to give more control and confidence on or off road.
Because this vehicle is already loaded up with great features on the standard models there aren’t a lot of optional features to be found for the G-Class. This is also the result of being a low sales volume vehicle, but anyone wanting some added options can look to the Designo selection of exterior colors and interior trims to choose from. Other optional features are included in the various subscriptions to differ apps found in the mbrace which is Mercedes’ suite of mobile apps and other services.
As described, the G-Class does ask for some exclusivity in ownership with a base price that starts just over $116,000 for the G550 not many shoppers will be able to afford such a vehicle. For those who can the G-Class is a one of a kind vehicle that gives a joyous and nostalgic ride on or off the road. For those who can move up to the more powerful G63 AMG the price comes in around $138,000 to add the exceptional power and performance that makes this truly a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
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