2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Few automobiles have matched the prowess and world-class features of the GeländeWagon, as it is lovingly called in German. Its incredibly luxurious cabin and a plethora of off-roading equipment have always been the golden standards for all luxury SUVs out there. Rivals are far and few, with only the likes of the Land Rover Range Rover and the Lexus LX 570 coming close within touching distance of the G-Wagon’s class. Can the 2020 iteration of the iconic Mercedes-Benz G-Class still count as one of the most majestic and powerful SUVs?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is available in both the standard G 550 variant and the performance-oriented AMG G63 variant, which we will be reviewing separately. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class trim comes with a price tag of $130,900 and comes equipped with plenty of standard features. An overview of the features inside the standard G-Class includes:

Which trim should you buy?

Since the G 550 is only considered as a single trim level, buyers can customize their SUV as per their incline with the G manufaktur program. To keep the sticker price in check, we will avoid the priciest options and only add interior goodies like Nappa leather upholstery.

The legendary Mercedes-Benz G-Class clearly sets the standards for all other wannabe SUVs, with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 under its hood to set off all the fireworks. This engine churns out a fiery power output of 416 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes-Benz mates its engine to a 9-speed automatic transmission to handle the lofty performance levels of the engine. As expected, the automatic gearbox works seamlessly with its accurate gear shifts in every situation.

To take your SUV for an adventure in the mud and dirt, Mercedes-Benz transmits power to its segment-defining 4MATIC all-wheel-drivetrain as standard. The base G-Wagon gets the privilege of 4 driving modes to choose from, with each driving mode customizing the traction of the SUV according to the terrain. Drivers who want to get a full feel of the G-Wagon’s performance prowess can also use the paddle shifters, to gain full precise control of the SUV. Despite its breadbox-like body, the G-Wagon can still zip past the 0-60 mph run in 5.8 seconds and the quarter-mile run in 14.3 seconds. The G-Wagon reaches its peak potential at a top speed of 130 MPH.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is right on par with its fierce rivals in terms of torque. The Range Rover's astounding 518 horses give it the advantage in the speed charts. The G-Wagon does manage to beat the Lexus LX 570 in the speed charts. The Mercedes has the lowest top speed compared to its rivals.

How well does the 2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class handle?

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class sports a coil underneath its floor rather than an air suspension setup that is found on most modern off-road crawlers today. Ironically, these steel springs still perform their job as intended, making up for a very fun outing in the wilderness with its share of bumps. The G-Wagon gets the traditional passive-style dampers as standard, but adaptive dampers are also available as an option. Combined with the independent front suspension, these adaptive dampers provide the best G-Wagon ride compared to any of its predecessors. The ride quality is still a bit suspect in everyday driving conditions, so it may take some time to get accustomed to that.

The suspension tends to get stiffer on pothole-filled roads, which makes up for very bumpy ride quality. The three locking differentials conquer any extreme terrain like there is no tomorrow, and the full-time 4MATIC 4-wheel-drive system plays its part as well. The G-Wagon’s mouthwatering off-roading caliber is no surprise, as the SUV can traverse through 28 inches of water and conquer steep inclines up to 35 degrees. Drivers might want to take full advantage of the G-Mode off-pavement system on an off-road adventure, as this system continuously adapts the sensitivity of throttle, steering, and damping forces. Thus, the G-Class is capable of conquering the most extreme terrains on the planet, including deserts and ice.

2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Braking Performance

The illustrious Mercedes nametag brings more than just performance to the table. The G-Class features ventilated disc brakes on both the front and rear ends to stop the momentum of the heavy SUV within seconds. The SUV equips 13.9-inch brake rotors in the front and 13.6-inch brake rotors in the rear. Although the 60-0 braking data is not known, the G-Wagon still inspires confidence in the driver whenever he pushes the braking pedal.

No automakers have let the cat out of the bag regarding the braking performance of any performance SUVs in this comparison. Hence, we cannot speculate anything regarding the 60-0 braking performance yet. Based on the available data we can understand that the Lexus might have difficulties in stopping the car because of its heavyweight which is followed by the G-Class Wagon and the Land Rover. 

Historically, boxy automobiles with large proportions and sizes aren’t known to be very friendly on the wallet when it comes to fuel expenses. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class in particular is at the bottom of the green scale, owing to its terrible fuel economy that would bother many stern environmentalists. The 2020 iteration of the G-Class runs for a subpar MPG of 13 in the city. On the highway, the SUV returns an MPG of 17. This equates to a combined MPG of 14, which is probably one of the lowest fuel economy standards for an SUV.

Mercedes-Benz clearly sacrifices fuel economy to extract the most freakish performance figures out of its twin-turbo V-8. So if you are seeking the Mercedes-Benz G-Class as an asset to show off to your friends and relatives, be prepared to shell out loads of bucks to satisfy the SUV’s thirst for fuel. Before adventuring in the wild, always stay ready for the worst by keeping a jerry can in the cargo bay as a backup.

The Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography serves to be the most fuel-efficient SUV in its class, which is very ironic considering its own fuel economy is subpar. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class still offers better fuel economy compared to the Lexus, although it is nowhere close to being called fuel-efficient.

Just like the incredible G-Wagons of the past, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offers two rows of seats with a seating capacity of up to 5 passengers and a cabin filled with all the best luxuries that money can buy. Mercedes crafts the cabin in a unique way to evoke a sense of spaciousness and royalty when you first catch a glimpse of the interiors. The cabin looks like a designer’s dream with an array of trimmings at your selection- pick from brushed metal, carbon fiber woven with red, or open-pore walnut wood trim. The large windows surrounding your sides showcase the world in a different light, insulated from the external elements of both heat and noise.

The driver and the front passenger will certainly feel mesmerized when they rest their spines on the luxurious front seats, which can be adjusted in 10 different positions. These seats highlight the expensive aura of the cabin, as they are available with various power-adjustability features, heating, cooling, and massage functionalities. The seats are draped in the finest genuine leather, with customers having the option to add premium Nappa leather as well. Backseaters are also in for an upscale comfort treatment, as the rear seats feature exceptional headroom and legroom as well as dedicated rear AC vents for maximum comfort. The G-Class offers 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. With the rear seats folded, the SUV opens up a maximum space of 79.5 cubic feet at your disposal.

The G-Wagon offers more space behind its rear seats than both its Land Rover and Lexus rivals. Its exceptional interior dimensions and opulence make the G-Wagon one of the most well-appointed SUVs in the market. Overall the G-Wagon leads this segment with more space in both front and rear, which is followed by the Land Rover and the Lexus in the last position. Some of the exceptional luxury features are:

• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Multi-function steering wheel
• Genuine leather-trimmed seats
• Optional Nappa leather upholstery
• Optional massaging functionality
• 10-way power front seats

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Taking the centre stage in the middle of the dash is a 12.3-inch touchscreen, which showcases all the menus and climate controls in an attractive graphical interface. Mercedes still runs the old COMAND infotainment interface for the G-Wagon, which is very absurd considering that most other high-end Mercedes are enjoying the snazziness of the latest MBUX infotainment interface. 

Nevertheless, this system is integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The driver also gets access to navigation services on the go, so that he never gets stranded on an adventure. A 15-speaker Burmester sound system acts as an entertainment hub for the passengers, with its sweet-sounding music. 2 USB ports aid further connectivity. The tech suite of the 2020 G-Class includes:

• 12.3-inch touchscreen
• COMAND infotainment 
• Hands-free Bluetooth
• 15-speaker Burmester sound system
• Apple CarPlay 
• Android Auto
• 2 USB ports
• Navigation

Mercedes has kept the signature look of the G-Wagon unchanged for 4 over 4 decades, with only subtle changes to the design. It is safe to say that the 2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class doesn’t look much different compared to the past two generations of G-Wagons. Despite the lack of any exterior changes, the Mercedes faithful have always embraced the old-school and military-based Jeep looks of the G-Wagon with open hands. The big door handles are still ever-present on the G-Wagon’s body, with other classic styling cues like the spare tire hanging on the back, the huge flared fenders, heavy bumpers, and the dominating windshield.

Mercedes has secretly hidden many modern elements within the G-Class's classic exterior style, such as LED lighting and the imposing 21-inch or 22-inch wheels. Almost every aspect of the G-Wagon is a playful mixture of elegance and modernity, although the SUV’s boxy shape contributes little to any aerodynamic advantage.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is considerably the heaviest SUV in its class but is surprisingly shorter in terms of length and width than its Range Rover and Lexus adversaries. The G-Class also sports a juicy 9.5 inches of ground clearance, which clearly indicates its superiority off the trail. Some of the standout exterior features are:

• Power adjustable mirrors
• LED taillights and DRLs
• 19-inch wheels
• Cornering lamps
• Independent front suspension

As for the safety quotient, no crash testing agencies have rated the SUV for its crashworthiness yet. Judging by its lofty price tag, we are convinced the SUV won’t be rated for its crashworthiness anytime in the future either. Despite the lack of crash testing data, we still expect the highest safety ratings for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

Mercedes integrates all its latest safety technologies to ensure that its customers stay away from any untoward mishaps while conquering unexplored domains. The G-Class includes standard safety technologies like active lane control, attention assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. A waterproof rearview camera is also included as a standard, that comes in handy while you encounter those grim weather days. Drivers can bolster the safety suite by adding optional features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, active parking assist, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The safety suite of the G-Class includes features such as:

• Distance Pilot DISTRONIC
• Attention Assist
• Active lane control
• Forward-collision warning 
• Automatic emergency braking
• Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
• Brake Assist
• SmartKey
• Rear View camera
• 360-degree surround-view camera.

2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VS 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography

The Land Rover Range Rover has been the epitome of luxury and supreme off-road capabilities over the years. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of its fiercest competitors, matching it in almost every off-roading aspect. The Range Rover Autobiography sports more power under the hood than its Merc rival. The Land Rover also feels much better to cruise around than the G-Wagon in everyday situations. The G-Wagon showcases its prowess off the trail, although the Land Rover isn’t very far behind the Merc’s potential.

In terms of luxury, both the SUVs are absolutely immaculate although the Merc does feel more spacious in terms of interior dimensions and cargo space. The Land Rover gets insanely pricey as you add in more options, so we will choose the G-Wagon for a better ownership experience and more range of customizations.

2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VS 2020 Lexus LX 570

The Lexus LX 570 is one of those rare gems of an SUV that offers size, comfort, and off-road ability all in a single package. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is similar to the Lexus LX 570 but sits in a price range that is leagues ahead of the Lexus. The Merc may have the more expensive off-roading equipment, but the Lexus catches up with its incredible off-roading prowess. In terms of style, the Lexus LX 570 looks charismatic from every angle, although the G-Class has that classic look of a rugged body-on-frame SUV. 

The Merc flexes its more expensive engine, taking the lead in the power charts over the Lexus. When you consider the interiors, the Lexus has a fine assortment of premium materials although we admit the Merc is way more upmarket owing to its 6-figure price tag. The Merc is a way more classy option than the Lexus if you have the fortune to afford it.

The new Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a terrific SUV that is geared to meet every challenge off the road. With its superlative V-8 engine and advanced off-roading equipment, the G-Wagon dominates every off-roading terrain just like its predecessors over the last 4 decades. The extravagant 6-figure price tag may be way beyond the average customer’s reach, but those who can afford the SUV like the G-Wagon knows its true stature.

The G-Wagon’s unforgettable styling and otherworldly luxury are a dream come true for any car enthusiast. Although the infotainment system might be a bit beyond the times, the 2020 G-Class is still a power-packed SUV with all the expensive German technologies and driver assistance features onboard.