2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

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Rating7.1

Ranked #12 in 

SUV
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$107,100
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Iconic design with excellent outward visibility

Unimpressive on-road handling and cumbersome to maneuver in the city

New "Edition Select" package

Opulent and silent cabin with excellent material-quality

Super-low gas mileage even for the class

Exceptionally capable off the road

Front legroom isn't impressive for an SUV of its size

Specs & Features

$107,100

price

382 hp @ 6000 rpm

horsepower

391 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

torque

7-Speed Shiftable Automatic

transmission

5.5L 8cyl AWD 7A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a proud member of the midsize SUV segment. It doesn’t have any direct competitors in the segment while you could consider the Land Rover Range Rover, the Toyota Land Cruiser, and the Lexus LX 570 as alternative options from the fullsize SUV segment. Available in a single trim, the G-Class has a base price of MSRP $107,100. Its 5.5L V8 engine gives the SUV 382 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. With that, it manages a 0-60 of 6.0 seconds and boasts a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds. Moving to fuel economy, the G-Class manages to get a combined EPA rating of 13 MPG, a poor number for the class, giving its rivals an edge. It also has a ground clearance of 8.1 inches.

Buying Advice

The 2012 Mercedes Benz G-Class is a one-of-a-kind luxury SUV in its segment. It is available in a single trim while there are plenty of optional features and customization options available. We recommend adding the new Edition Select package that equipped the G-Class with an AMG dual exhaust, fender flares, silver-painted wheels, carbon-look exterior molding, leather-covered dashboard with gray contrast stitching, two-tone leather seating, and piano black wood trim.

Trims

    G 550
    $107,100 onwards
    • 18-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • A-Spec Sport Seats
    • AM/FM/HD/Satellite
    • Dual zone automatic front air conditioning
    • Fog/Driving lights
    • Front passengers heated-cushion
    • Remote keyless entry
    • Seek-Scan Radio
    • Sliding and tilting steel Sunroof

Compare to similar cars

Price

$107,100

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.14

Horsepower

382 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

391 lb.-ft. @ 2800 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$46,120- $56,670

Gasoline

8.36

300 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

5

Read Review

$43,030- $54,555

Gasoline

7.68

300 hp @ 6300 rpm

270 lb.-ft. @ 4500 rpm

7

Read Review

$46,250- $59,950

Gasoline

7.9

280 hp @ 4920 rpm

295 lb.-ft. @ 2250 rpm

7

Read Review

$59,600- $70,200

Gasoline

8.29

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

300 lb.-ft. @ 1200 rpm

4

Read Review

$47,500- $64,200

Gasoline

8.17

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

300 lb.-ft. @ 1300 rpm

5

Read Review

$35,985- $49,585

Gasoline

7.99

308 hp @ 6800 rpm

265 lb.-ft. @ 2400 rpm

5

Read Review

$63,170- $82,495

Gasoline

7.55

403 hp @ 5700 rpm

417 lb.-ft. @ 4300 rpm

7

Read Review

$60,000- $63,100

Gasoline

7.76

400 hp @ 5800 rpm

413 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

7

Read Review

$59,800

Gasoline

7.3

390 hp @ 6500 rpm

369 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

5

Read Review

2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    6.46 sec14.6 sec92 mph
    5.3 sec13.7 sec-
    5.9 sec14.5 sec-
    6.2 sec14.9 sec132 mph
    6.5 sec15.0 sec131 mph
    6.5 sec15.1 sec-

    2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      12 mpg15 mpg13 mpg25.4 gal.304.8/381 mi.
      19 mpg26 mpg22 mpg18 gal.342/468 mi.
      19 mpg25 mpg21 mpg18.5 gal.351.5/462.5 mi.
      18 mpg25 mpg21 mpg19.2 gal.345.6/480 mi.
      16 mpg23 mpg19 mpg21 gal.336/483 mi.
      17 mpg24 mpg19 mpg21 gal.357/504 mi.

      2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        184.5 in.71.8 in.76 in.8.1 in.112.2 in.
        208.3 in.79.9 in.75.8 in.9.2 in.121.1 in.
        202.5 in.79 in.75.9 in.9 in.116 in.
        2012 Audi Q7

        Ranked #3

        200.3 in.78.1 in.68.4 in.8.1 in.118.2 in.
        195.8 in.80.1 in.73.9 in.9.1 in.113.3 in.
        192.4 in.78.5 in.62.8 in.7.9 in.108.3 in.

        2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          45.2 cu.ft.124 cu.ft.79.5 cu.ft.
          32.3 cu.ft.108.4 cu.ft.68.6 cu.ft.
          16.6 cu.ft.80.2 cu.ft.95.1 cu.ft.
          8.8 cu.ft.-93.2 cu.ft.
          11.6 cu.ft.141.4 cu.ft.91.9 cu.ft.
          40 cu.ft.100.9 cu.ft.80.3 cu.ft.

          2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            79.5 cu.ft.45.2 cu.ft.79.5 cu.ft.-
            2012 BMW X5

            Ranked #2

            63.4 cu.ft.23.2 cu.ft.75.2 cu.ft.-
            71 cu.ft.36.2 cu.ft.71 cu.ft.-
            55.6 cu.ft.-61.2 cu.ft.-Jeep USA
            2012 BMW X6

            Ranked #5

            15.3 cu.ft.25.6 cu.ft.59.7 cu.ft.-
            43.6 cu.ft.15 cu.ft.83.5 cu.ft.-

            2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              3500 lbs.1433 lbs.5622 lbs.
              8500 lbs.1710 lbs.5590 lbs.
              8300 lbs.1612 lbs.5488 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1219 lbs.5540 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1698 lbs.4398 lbs.
              7700 lbs.1290 lbs.5697 lbs.

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              MPG Combined : 13 mpg

              0-60 : 6.46 sec

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