2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Review
2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Review





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Appraise This CarMercedes-Benz G-Class model years
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Edmunds' Expert Review

byJason Kavanagh
Senior Vehicle Test Engineer
Jason joined Edmunds' testing team in 2006 as a vehicle testing engineer. Jason believes true appreciation of modern cars stems from owning really, really bad old ones.
Pros
- Iconic design is instantly recognizable
- Outstanding forward visibility
- Unusually quiet when driving on-road
- Lots of cosmetic customization potential
Cons
- Awful steering, handling, drivability and fuel economy
- Difficult to get into and out of
- Poor interior packaging leaves little useful space
- Compromised off-road ability
What’s new
For 2017 the G-Class gains a new variant: the G550 4x4², which gains more ground clearance, larger tires and a revised suspension. New cosmetic packages (Designo Manufaktur Luxury and Mojave packages, Night package) have been introduced.
Vehicle overview
The G-Class is at its core a nearly 40-year-old military vehicle that's been gradually metamorphosed into a luxury vehicle. Ultimately these mutations have resulted in something that's optimized for neither luxury nor off-road adventure. The G-Class is hilariously hard to get into and out of, steering inputs are met with indifference, and the usefulness of its cargo and storage areas is limited.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G 550 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo 7A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.92 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$364/mo for G-Class G 550
G-Class G 550
vs
$238/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Yet this iconic truck has experienced a boost in popularity in recent years that has defied logic. In European markets the G-Class is offered in a somewhat rational configuration with a diesel engine and tires with taller sidewalls. There, you could reasonably take a G-Class off-road and expect it to perform admirably, what with its full complement of locking differentials, high ground clearance, and steep approach and departure angles.
Here in the U.S., however, the G-Class offsets these purpose-driven attributes for the trappings of a luxury vehicle — powerful engines that demand plenty of fuel, relatively low-profile all-season tires (and high-performance summer tires on AMG variants!), acres of leather and precariously low-hanging exhaust pipes. AMG variants offer more power but only modest increases in swiftness. The G-Class is dripping with character but finds itself in a no-man's land of compromise. Maybe that's part of its appeal, twisted though it may be.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
2.5 / 5Despite its status-symbol nature, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a compromised if characterful machine. Its interior space is tight, and its on-road driving dynamics are uncooperative at best. In the bargain, its vaunted off-road chops have been neutered by road-biased tires and a low-hanging exhaust.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG (5.5L twin-turbo V8; 4x4; 7-speed automatic).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current G-Class has received only minor, mostly cosmetic revisions and the addition of the G550 4x4² trim level. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's G-Class.
Scorecard
Overall | 2.5 / 5 |
Driving | 2.0 |
Comfort | 2.0 |
Interior | 1.0 |
Utility | 2.5 |
Driving
2.0The G63's 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 makes a ton of power; unfortunately, it's very hard to actually drive this thing. Steering is comically bad, handling is worse, and thanks to high-performance tires and silly exhaust placement, it's a liability off-road.
Acceleration
2.5The 563-horsepower G63 gets out of its own way better than anything this shape should (0-60 mph takes 5.3 seconds). The seven-speed automatic shifts quickly, but the steering gets light and the G becomes hard to control at wide-open throttle. What a noise, though!
Braking
2.5Tons of nosedive and a strong pull left, but a pretty good stopping distance of only 120 feet from 60 mph. The brakes are very touchy, which makes for lurchy stop-and-go driving and isn't great for off-road either.
Steering
1.0The steering constantly reminds you that this is a nearly 40-year-old military truck with working roots. The steering is terribly vague with seemingly random results. It also fails to center, causing constant, abnormal extra steering inputs.
Handling
1.0Thanks to seriously aggressive stability control that you'll encounter every day, the G63 is almost foolproof. It's also slow, ponderous and top-heavy, and every body motion is grossly exaggerated.
Drivability
1.0Twitchy brakes, tractor steering, tons of power and a mile of body roll make for an exciting but not necessarily good driving experience.
Off-road
2.5What should be a strong point for the G-Class isn't. Summer performance tires, touchy brakes, exposed catalytic converters and side-mounted exhaust in the crush zone add up to a vehicle that's more suited for the country club than the Rubicon.
Comfort
2.0When the G-Class was designed for the world's armies in the 1970s, comfort wasn't a priority, and it still isn't. Nevertheless, the G63 is a remarkably quiet place to spend time, and the front seats are well built and well contoured.
Seat comfort
2.0The front seats themselves are actually quite nice. Lots of adjustment, good bolstering and nice leather. The rear seats are wide and featureless. Unfortunately, neither position really has enough legroom for humans of average height or taller.
Ride comfort
2.0One of the bounciest, most active rides in memory. There's no impact harshness, but the springiness and lack of steering control make every road feel like a Disney ride. Fun, but not good.
Noise & vibration
5.0Extremely quiet on the road. Minimal wind noise. No road noise. Near total isolation.
Interior
1.0The G63's interior has a new display screen, a user-friendly tech interface and a host of other features, but that still doesn't fix the fact that there's no space. Even average-sized drivers don't fit well, it's hard to climb into, there's no lateral space and the back seats are worse.
Ease of use
3.0With the caveat that the seating position puts you a little too close to stuff, the ergonomics of the G are actually quite good. Stalks and switches are well labeled and placed where you expect them to be, the tech interface is easy to use, and the big-dial HVAC switches are great.
Getting in/getting out
1.0It's a huge step up into a relatively small seat. You need to be active and flexible to get into this vehicle. Getting out is just as bad. Miss the skinny step, and you're overextended and on the ground. May explain why we see so many parked at yoga classes.
Roominess
1.0There's lots of headroom but no space for your arms, and the seats don't slide back far enough for even average-height drivers. The steering wheel and windscreen are always very close. The backseats are compromised in the same ways but have no adjustability.
Visibility
5.0The seating position is compromised for this reason: Forward visibility is exceptional. You can see the front corners and know where the tires are. The rearview camera and sonar make the G easy to park anywhere.
Quality
3.0Build quality on the G63 is quite good, but you'd expect that from something this expensive. Panel gaps are big but even. The doors shut with a pleasing thunk.
Utility
2.5Surprisingly subpar cargo area and cabin storage. The cargo area is tall, but the backseat leaves a large step when folded and doesn't fold horizontally. Awkward cabin storage, though there is a smattering of it.
Small-item storage
2.5No real front cupholder to speak of — one is behind you; the other a weird mesh pouch. The glovebox barely holds our logbook. Inconvenient door pockets. The center console bin is narrow and deep.
Cargo space
2.5With the rear seats raised, 40.3 cubic feet of space is dead-flat and offers handy tie-downs. The seats flop forward, but they crash into the front seats doing so. Not terribly useful.
Which G-Class does Edmunds recommend?
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is an oddity in a class of one. In other markets the G-Class is offered in configurations that align with its proficiencies, but in the U.S. the G-Class is a box of compromise. If you're ever going to use a G-Class off-road, get the entry-level G550. It has the robust hardware of the AMG variants but with fewer of those models' concessions to on-road driving. Buyers simply seeking a status symbol should go straight to the range-topping, new-for-2017 G550 4x42 model. It is a bonkers machine that defies classification — a singularly unparalleled motorized device.
2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class models
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a five-passenger SUV that is offered in four trim levels: G550, AMG G63, AMG G65 and G550 4x42 (as in "squared"). All versions are equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission, live axles at both ends, full-time four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case and three locking differentials, and they can tow up to 7,000 pounds. The G550 is entry-level only in a relative sense. It's extremely well-equipped — beyond its prodigious drivetrain hardware, it has leather-upholstered 10-way power-adjustable and heated seats, heated backseats, power-folding and heated mirrors, adaptive cruise, dual-zone climate control, navigation and premium audio. It's equipped with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (416 horsepower, 450 pound-feet of torque).
Stepping up to the AMG G63 nets you a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 (563 hp, 561 lb-ft of torque), 20-inch wheels, larger brakes and a performance-tuned suspension. It also grants access to the AMG Performance Studio, whereby near-endless customization is available. The next step in the G-Class lineup goes from merely silly to truly absurd: the AMG G65, which slots in a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 (621 hp, 738 lb-ft of torque) and adds 21-inch wheels and revised upholstery.
Then there's the G550 4x42, for which words do not do justice. This has the 4.0-liter V8 but swaps the standard axles for portal axles, which dramatically increase ground clearance. It also adds 22-inch wheels, larger-diameter tires, twin coilover-damper assemblies at each wheel, wider fender flares and skid plates.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
5 star(64%)
4 star(22%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(6%)
36 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
2005 - G500 Grand Edition
Dan A., 07/16/2015
2005 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Grand Edition 4WD 4dr SUV (5.4L 8cyl S/C 5A)
Sold it for $20k USD.
This car is bulletproof. Rides like a luxury sedan. Handles like a beast in the snow and bad weather.
Mine is at 190+k miles and going strong and looks great! Wish it had navigation, blue tooth and a usb port. Things starting to go wrong and it's $500- $1,000 each time. All 4 door lock malfunction - one goes the others go at $300 each, Windshield wiper motor, worn … out belts...pitted window is common here in the mountains, etc. Oh, did I tell you that if your headlamp goes out you just don't replace at $10, you have to take apart the front end and that can be $400+. But here's the bottom line...I walk out, jump in and it starts and goes and goes and goes.
4 out of 5 stars
You are buying a G63 for a reason.
Marksparise, 06/26/2018
2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG G 63 4dr SUV 4WD (5.5L 8cyl Turbo 7A)
This is one of the most iconic vehicles on the road and if you are buying one you have a reason..it’s just plain cool and you clearly have fu money to back it up. People consistently stop me and want to talk about it. If you want a pure comfort luxury SUV with lots of cup holders to haul around the kids, buy a GSL 550 or Escalade. If you have an extra $155k and want a fast and loud, … stiff/tight, climb up into it, classic German engineered and pretty reasonably comfortable for an off-road capable vehicle that can climb at 40 degrees in the Austrian Alps (that you probably won’t use it for), buy this. Pure fun at 3 feet off the ground.
4.75 out of 5 stars
G Class Rules
Q, 08/19/2005
2005 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G500 4WD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A)
I have had my G for quite some time. It is quality throughout. No plastic and thin metal. Go and drive the best. It's better than my BMW 5 series and the best vehicle I have ever driven. See for yourself. The Hummer owners wish they had one! Its for real.
3.75 out of 5 stars
A Beautiful Tank on the outside, Harsh on the inside
danielk1974, 04/07/2011
2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G500 4dr SUV 4WD (5.0L 8cyl 7A)
My wife got this car as her ultimate SUV dream vehicle.
She had wanted one for 15 years.
We got a good deal and she traded in her Lexus LX 570.
We went from a peaceful cocoon of luxury to a rough and randy tank.
She absolutely loves it.
There is truly nothing else like it on the road.
However, it is not very comfortable to drive.
Steering is heavy.
Acceleration is slow.
The engine is … loud.
The seats are not comfortable.
And yet everytime she looks at it, she loves it a little more.
I don't like driving it at all, but that's why she tells me its her car, not mine.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the G-Class since its last redesign.
2017 G-Class Highlights
SUV
G 550
Base MSRP | $122,400 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 13 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $364/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | four wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the G-Class models:
- Mbrace2 Emergency Telematics
- Includes automatic collision notification, an emergency response button, stolen vehicle location, and remote locking and unlocking.
- Blind-Spot Assist
- Provides a visual cue if a car is traveling in an adjacent lane and sounds an auditory alarm if you switch on the turn signal.
- Parking Assist
- Provides visual and auditory indications of parking distance to cars or objects located in front and rear.
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