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Overview

What is it?

The latest generation of the venerable (try 45 years of consistent production) Geländewagen/G-Class/G-Wagen. Always a legend, a total overhaul back in 2018 saw it come to define the words “Luxury Off-Roader” perhaps more fully and competently than any other car, Range Rover included.

Other luxury SUVs might be capable off-road, but the G remains committed to the aesthetic as well as the ability. And there have been lots of tweaks to try and keep the G at least in touch with the modern world, if only by its technological fingertips. 

What’s New for 2025?

The G-class is getting more aerodynamic for 2025. No, it isn’t morphing into a curvy crossover à la the EQS SUV, but subtle styling revisions are intended to help the G550 cut through the air a little easier. (They’ll be shared with the new electric version of the G.) The grille, front bumper, and A-pillars have all been reshaped, and a little spoiler on the roof’s leading edge helps direct air up and over the SUV. The biggest change is under the hood where the 2024 model’s V-8 engine has been swapped out in favor of a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with a 48-volt hybrid system. Horsepower is up—to 443 ponies—but torque is down slightly; acceleration performance should be similar though. Inside, the MBUX infotainment interface takes up residency on the G550’s dashboard. The updated software provides more connectivity, including an optional rear-seat entertainment system with two 11.6-inch displays that can stream video or browse the web. Elsewhere, a new 360-degree camera system can show the driver what’s underneath the G-class, more personalization options have been added to the Manufaktur program, and an adaptive cruise control system with a lane-centering feature is now available.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The price of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-class starts at $149,400 and goes up to $163,700 depending on the trim and options.

G550

$149,400

G550 Exclusive

$154,700

G550 Manufaktur

$158,700

G550 Exclusive Plus

$161,800

G550 Manufaktur Plus

$162,650

G550 G Professional

$163,700

0$50k$100k$150k$200k$250k

With a starting price of around $150k, it’s a good bet that most buyers won’t be too concerned about ponying up for a few options. Still, the sheer number and cost of those extras is dizzying. Our feeling is that buyers are best served by enhancing a G550 with thoughtful choices like the Exclusive trim, which adds the nicer nappa leather upholstery and snazzier trim pieces. The Seat Comfort package includes massaging front seats with ventilated cushions, and we’d add the heated steering wheel, too. The only other option we recommend is the available adaptive dampers that allow the driver to dial in the ride quality.

Like so many things with the G500, setting performance benchmarks on the track feels more than a little ridiculous. When you torque the car on the brakes, the whole thing twists like an old Dodge Charger on the drag strip. It gets off the mark smartly, however, and feels pretty quick up to about 100mph, at which point it hits an aerodynamic wall.

As an illustration of how much the G-Class is aero-limited, consider this: at MIRA we can do acceleration runs both ways to compensate for wind direction, and the G-Class’s 0-120mph run was a whole 2.0sec slower in one direction than it was in the other.

A diesel engine certainly feels like a more natural powerplant for a large SUV, but while the 3.0-litre petrol has its work cut out in the 2.5-tonne G500, it acquits itself remarkably well thanks to good reserves of torque. The sound from the twin sidepipes takes some of the truckiness out of the G-Class, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your taste.

The gearbox is Mercedes’ usual nine-speed automatic, which means it is generally smooth and responsive but can be hesitant at low speeds. The new mild-hybrid system is mostly smooth and unintrusive but is worth turning off for quick getaways.

Braking is about as good as can be expected from a car such as this. It pitches a fair bit on its soft suspension and takes longer to settle than a typical passenger car, but it feels stable and the stopping distances aren’t particularly bad.

When we tried the diesel on the international launch, we found it excellent too. On rational grounds this is the G, really. It’s uncomplicated to drive, has a good swell of torque that makes it just as quick as the G500 in the real world. It’s also the most economical.

Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2025: Practicality

Key here is the stretch in the wheelbase, which brings some extra legroom in the back, while the increase in width means there’s a bit more space across the cabin, too. It’ll still be a bit tight for three adults across the back seats, but three children should fit, so long as their car seats aren’t too bulky – the outer two seats having Isofix mounts. 

The boot is huge, with 667 litres of space back there, the rear seats folding (in a 66/33 split) to allow 1,246 litres of carrying capacity, but access to that space is by a side-hinged door, which does limit the access to that space a bit more than a conventional hatchback would. Oddment storage is good throughout, too, and it’ll haul pretty much anything, too, see ‘towing’ below for details.  

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Mercedes’ warranty periods align with other luxury automakers’, such as Audi and BMW. However, unlike those German competitors, Benz-branded models don’t include any complimentary maintenance.

  • Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
  • Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
  • Electrical components are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles
  • No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $162,650/$192,690

POWERTRAIN
Front Motors: 2 permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 145 hp
Rear Motors: 2 permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 145 hp
Combined Power: 579 hp
Combined Torque: 859 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 116.0 kWh
Onboard Charger: 9.6 kW
Peak DC Fast-Charge Rate: 200 kW
Transmissions: 2-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/live axle
Tires: Falken Azenis FK520
275/50R-20 113V MO

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 113.8 in
Length: 182.0 in
Width: 74.4 in
Height: 78.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 54/53 ft3
Cargo Volume: 37 ft3
Curb Weight: 6908 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.1 sec
100 mph: 10.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 12.6 sec @ 108 mph
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 1.9 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.5 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 112 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 162 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.80 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING
Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 128 kW
DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 46 min

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 62/68/53 MPGe
Range: 239 mi

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