The blocky luxury SUV soldiers into its 45th year
It’s kind of funny how three vehicles that began as bare-bones military trucks, the Jeep, Land Rover, and Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen today remain in-demand everyday drivers. The Mercedes and Range Rover, of course, compete in luxury segments that belie their bootcamp roots.
The latest generation of the Geländewagen, nicknamed G-Wagen but branded by Mercedes as the G-Class, appeared in 2019 and for 2025 gets a considerable update. The replacement of a twin-turbo V8 with a turbo inline six mild hybrid improves performance and fuel efficiency (a tiny bit) in the $150,000 G550, while the G63 AMG monster truck continues with its 577-horsepower twin-turbo V8.
For those waiting for hell to freeze over, a full electric G-Class has joined the line, the G580 with EQ Technology. That one gives 579 horsepower and a a mammoth 859 lb-ft. of instant torque from four electric motors and will start around $161,000.
From Army Truck to Civilian Life
While the Jeep and Land Rover/Range Rover emerged from WWII military vehicles, the Mercedes G-Wagen began as a Cold War machine, reportedly from a suggestion to Mercedes from the Shah of Iran. Ironically, the Shah, who was able to spend his treasure on all manner of high-end vehicles, lost his cushy day job just as the G-Wagen arrived in 1979.
Mercedes worked with Austrian manufacturing conglomerate Steyr-Daimler-Puch to help develop the Geländewagen and to manufacture it in Austria, which it still does today as Magna-Steyr. G-Wagens made their way into various militaries, but it was the civilian version that put it on the map. Those first-generation G-Wagens truly were bare-bones trucks, with power choices including gas and diesel four-cylinder engines and a gas inline six. These early G-Wagens became available to Americans only through the gray market.
From G-Wagen to G-Class
The original G-Wagen, with internal factory model code W460, gave way to the improved W461 and then the W463. That’s the one that Mercedes decided to officially import to the U.S. in 2002 as the G-Class model line. By then, the civilian version offered powerful V8 engine choices and a luxurious interior. The hotrod AMG 55 model arrived in 2003, and luxury and power both escalated from there.
Even with the G’s prodigious power and luxury, the vehicle has always remained fully off-road capable with robust body-on-frame construction and a four-wheel drive system with front, center, and rear locking differentials. The current G-Class was a major update over the pre-2019 model. The most significant change was independent front suspension replacing the previous solid front axle.
A Sleeker Box
The 2025 G-Class may look much like the 2024 model, but there are numerous body detail changes to enhance aerodynamic characteristics and therefore contribute to better fuel efficiency. That’s not to say the new G is fuel-efficient, it’s just less inefficient than before.
Look closely and you may notice smoother contours on the new grille and front bumper. Even the windshield pillars have been tweaked a bit. A bigger contributor to fuel efficiency in the 2025 G550 is under the hood, where a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine teams with a 48-volt hybrid-assist system that includes a small electric motor in the nine-speed automatic transmission.
Mercedes rates output at 443 horsepower versus 416 for the G550’s previous twin-turbo V8. (Mercedes does not count the 20 horsepower from the electric motor.) Torque is down a bit, though, at 423 lb-ft. versus 450 for the V8. Maximum towing capacity of 7,716 pounds remains the same.
Quicker, with Less Fuel
The re-powered G550 gains 13 pounds for 2025, but that seems inconsequential for a 5,700-pound SUV. Acceleration performance improves slightly over the previous V8 model, not that you’d feel the difference between 5.2 and 5.4 seconds in the 0-60 sprint.
For those who care in a $150,000 SUV, fuel efficiency is better: 17/19/18 mpg city/highway/combined versus 13/17/14 for the previous V8 model. Those truly concerned about fuel consumption can choose the fully electric G580 EV, which uses four electric motors. offers blazing acceleration and is estimated to give 230-240 miles of range on a charge.
You can still buy more G-Wagen speed, of course. The G63 AMG keeps its twin-turbo V8, also with mild hybrid assist, with 577 horsepower and 677 lb-ft. of torque. This monster will scorch from 0-60 in about 4 seconds and starts at about $186,000. That engine is, by the way, essentially the same one that Mercedes-AMG supplies to Aston Martin for its Vantage and DBX 707 models.
Go Anywhere in Peak Luxury
The G-Wagen can get you to out-of-the-way places where you may be “roughing it,” but that’s no reason to get roughed up by the drive there. The latest G-Wagen continues the premium luxury that’s been integral to this unique model for many years. The standard G550 cabin is certainly a nice place to visit, but to really impress yourself or friends, opt for the Exclusive trim package with its softer nappa leather. The Seat Comfort package adds ventilated massaging front seats
Side-by side 12.3-inch dashboard screens include one for the instrument panel and the center one for the MBUX infotainment. The system controls a standard high-end Burmester audio system, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
As you’d expect in this price class, the G-Class offers plenty of personalization options, including about three dozen colors. One third of those are standard choices, but others cost $1,750, $3,250, or $6,500 for “Manufaktur” custom colors like Copper Orange Mango matte and Green Hell Magno matte.
There are plenty of gray, black, and silver choices if you prefer a more muted look. No matter how muted the color you choose, though, there’s no blending into the crowd with a Mercedes G-Class.
