There's nothing else on the road that's quite like the 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The original G-wagen was an icon, a military vehicle with the interior of an S-Class, and it remained on sale for what seems like forever. The redesigned second-generation version of the SUV arrived in 2019, retaining all of the looks, panache and capability of the original but with a more refined interior and better in-car tech and driver aids. That said, it's far from the most comfortable or best-driving luxury SUV on the road. The G-Class wins on charm more than anything else.
This year, the Mercedes-AMG G 63 4x4 debuts. We can hear you asking: "But don't all G-Class models have four-wheel drive?" Yes, they do. But the G 63 4x4 represents the G-wagen taken to extremes. Also known as the 4x4 Squared, this new model has exclusive drive axles that allow for a significant suspension lift and huge 22-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. As you might imagine, it's darn near unstoppable off-road, unless the trail is too narrow for the G 63 4x4 Squared to squeeze through.
Otherwise, as is customary, Mercedes makes few modifications to the 2023 G-Class. Depending on the model, there are minor changes to appearance packages this year. So, that means the G-Class remains a quick, capable and luxurious SUV with significant off-roading capability and an outdated infotainment system.
In many ways, the G-Class competes in a class of one. Conceptually, its most direct rival would be a fully loaded Land Rover Defender 110 with a V8 engine, though the Mercedes is priced to go head-to-head with the more refined but equally capable Land Rover Range Rover. The Rivian R1S is an electric alternative, and the upcoming GMC Hummer EV SUV may prove itself a formidable foe. Don't fret about the new EVs. Mercedes has the answer to the Hummer and Rivian, and it arrives in a year or two in the form of the EQG.
Ready to learn more? Be sure to read our test team's Expert Rating of the 2023 Mercedes G-Class.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Below Average
edmunds TESTED
The G-Class relies on style and emotion, rather than planning or execution, to justify its price. There's power and authority from behind the wheel, but this SUV is a mess when it comes to ergonomics and practicality. The technology is a letdown too.
Rated for you by America's best test team.How does the G-Class drive? We tested the G 550. Its V8 engine sounds burly and muscular when you mash the gas and, in our testing, gets this SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. That's an average time for a V8-powered luxury SUV.
Beyond that, the G isn't much of a performer. The high center of gravity and noticeable body roll don't instill confidence around corners. The traction and stability control systems also aggressively activate to keep your wheels on the ground should you try to get enthusiastic with your driving, which is probably just as well. The steering is precise and weighted appropriately but entirely numb. A wide turning radius makes navigating tight spaces a chore.
When it's on, the auto engine stop-start system is jarring and intrusive. On the plus side, the transmission is smooth and responds quickly to driver demands.
How comfortable is the G-Class? The G 550 is compromised in places by its design. The ride is a bit truckish, but it takes the edge off bumps and avoids feeling busy over rough pavement. The seats are nicely cushioned and supportive — perhaps overly so. The seats are rather narrow, especially for a vehicle in this class, and the adjustable side bolsters just don't open enough for even relatively svelte drivers.
Noise from the road and from other traffic is pleasantly muted, and the engine settles into a deep, unobtrusive rumble when cruising. But there's noticeable wind noise at freeway speeds, which is likely due to the G-Class' upright styling.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating belowHow’s the interior? The G-Class' boxy shape results in some serious ergonomic limitations. The seats are rather high, and while there's some adjustability, the only seating position that really works is to sit tall and square. While the headroom is superb, the shorter door openings and high seat cushions mean passengers will have to duck while navigating the high step up. The step rail is too high to be very useful. While rear passenger space is reasonable, the rear doors' limited range of motion creates more difficulty in getting in and out than it should.
You get a commanding view of the road ahead, but the front window roof pillars are thick and upright — enough to hide pedestrians waiting to cross at a stoplight. The rear view is partially obstructed by the rear-mounted spare tire, and the small side mirrors don't show you a whole lot either.
How’s the tech? Sadly, the G-Class is stuck with the old Mercedes-Benz COMAND infotainment system rather than the newer MBUX. It's not a bad system, but it's comparatively limited in functionality. The navigation display and commands are less sophisticated, for example, and the voice commands are finicky and limited.
We also had some issues with the G-Class' advanced driver aids. Adaptive cruise works well enough, though it lacks the Traffic Jam Assist feature of other Mercedes products. Lane keeping, however, is abrupt in its intervention, engaging the brakes to drag the vehicle back into line. It's upsetting to experience, and it makes the G-Class unpredictable to other drivers. Worse, it only intervened occasionally without any real way to tell whether it was primed to go off or not.
How’s the storage? The G-Class is far from the most practical large SUV. The side-opening cargo door requires space to operate, but at least it's hinged properly for curbside use. The load floor is high and not that deep, and it is limited on the sides by bulky body intrusions. The second-row seat doesn't fold flat. Its resulting ledge makes it so long, and bulky items can't simply be slid back. Cabin storage for personal items is also rather limited for such a large SUV.
If you're planning on using your G-Class as a family taxi, installing child seats is helped by easily accessible car-seat anchor points. But lifting kids and seats up into the cabin can be hard. Bulkier rear-facing seats and infant convertibles might force front passengers to scoot forward more than they'd like.
How’s the fuel economy? We averaged about 13 mpg in our testing of the G 550, which is below the EPA's estimate of 16 mpg in combined city/highway driving for the 2022 model. This Mercedes is a very thirsty vehicle — thirstier than an Escalade — and on par with a Lamborghini Urus.
Is the G-Class a good value? You have to decide why you want to buy a G-Class. Mercedes offers interiors of this caliber, along with more and newer technology, on some of its less expensive vehicles. For what you get, the G-Class certainly is not up to the standards of other $100,000-plus Mercedes-Benz products.
The G-Class is almost a caricature of an idealized SUV experience. There's power and authority to spare, and the view over the hood is like nothing else on the market right now. It's a vehicle that gives you reasons to ignore its many, many shortcomings. Mercedes has mastered the art of emotional appeal across its range. And while the G-Class makes a terrible flagship for its technology and dynamics, it's an amazing flagship for the brand's pathos.
The 2023 Mercedes G-Class comes in standard G 550, performance-tuned AMG G 63, and outrageous AMG G 63 4x4 Squared specification. Each includes a generous list of standard equipment. Feature highlights include: