The G-Class grew to become an icon by way of consistency. Launched in 1979, the Geländewagen employs an identical method to the one which has stored the Porsche 911 related for over seven many years. Fairly than implementing revolutionary adjustments between generations, it leans on evolutionary ones. Though it has undoubtedly turn into extra luxurious for the reason that 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 method nearly completely. It’s the least costly G-Class for the U.S. market, sitting beneath 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.
Sometimes, this wouldn’t be a difficulty for a car constructed solely to serve a bunch of well-off diehard followers. Nevertheless, one main replace launched for the most recent 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 observe. 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 eventualities. 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, similar, however totally different, however that’s a function, not a fault. For those who squint, you’ll be able to 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 general 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 elective $3,500 AMG Line package deal, 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 study, enhances this SUV’s inside fantastically.
On the powertrain aspect, the most recent 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 automated 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 ideal instance of when extra is much less. The Geländewagen is outlined by its potential 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 observe because it involves life. That’s now not true for those who don’t shell out for the flagship G63.
As an alternative, what greets you is an engine observe 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 gives ample torque all through its rev vary, and since it depends on a mild-hybrid system, it’s responsive. It’s nearly fully undetectable at freeway speeds and has the advantage of elevated gasoline effectivity. The nine-speed auto is mated to shift each rapidly and easily, whereas its normal brakes stay lots 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 % of its output to its entrance wheels and the remaining 60 % to the pair within the rear. From a suspension standpoint, the G550 counts on double wishbones up entrance and a strong rear axle. It pairs springs with adaptive dampers in distinction to the G580’s plush air suspension setup.
A brand new Offroad Cockpit consolidates important readouts, together with incline knowledge, right into a single display, whereas a forward-facing digicam offers a transparent view of the path forward.
The on-road refinement enhancements launched for this newest G-Class era are instantly noticeable. The G550 soaks up highway imperfections properly with out extreme physique motions. Whereas it lacks the lively roll stabilization out there for the G63, it may deal with bends confidently with out appreciable lean. It’s completely damped for cruising at freeway speeds, and due to its intensive isolation, it creates an in-cabin expertise that isn’t interrupted by undesirable highway and wind noise.
A big contributing issue to this tester’s excessive as-tested worth is its $13,250 Manufaktur Inside Bundle Plus. Apart from adorning the entrance row with a pair of Energetic Multicontour seats, this feature covers this SUV’s cabin nearly fully with Nappa leather-based and intensive 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 package deal goes an extended technique 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 except for the touch-sensitive buttons on its steering wheel, this inside incorporates as little plastic as doable. Whereas its wheel controls could also be cumbersome, you’ll be able to nonetheless management core capabilities, equivalent to this SUV’s local weather management, by way of 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 most recent 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. Consider all of its elective extras, costing an as-tested $181,000. Though these figures signify a modest enhance over the outgoing G550, it concurrently locations the “entry-level” Geländewagen inside placing distance of its electrified twin. For context, earlier this yr, 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 suppose in regards to the G580. Whereas I can’t but communicate for the brand new G63, the electrical G-Class is spectacular regardless of being a first-generation product. Given you can now 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 attributable to 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 is still distinctive. Nevertheless, by eradicating its much-loved rumbling engine observe, the brand new G550 may be extra spectacular on paper than ever, however in apply, it takes one essential step again.
