2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G Class is offered in two trim levels only which are the G 500 and the performance-oriented AMG G 63. The AMG model is covered in a separate review. The base model or the standard model comes in a fully equipped state right out of the factory and the brand also offers several optional packages to better equip the SUV. The powertrain and drivetrain remain the same and the vehicle can seat 5 people. Some of the standard features include three-zone climate control, front and rear leather seats with heating function, LED interior ambient lighting, and sunroof among other features. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster available as an option previously is now standard. Some of the available packages include the Seat Comfort package which adds massaging and ventilation for front seats, the AMG Line package which adds some AMG-inspired interior and exterior styling cues along with several other minor tweaking options.

Which Trim should you buy?

Since the SUV is available in a single trim only we would recommend you to get the Seat Comfort Package for a better and more comfortable experience inside the SUV. If you wish to opt for the AMG G 63 trim, the AMG Trail package is a must-have for off-roading purposes.

With all those heft and a power-packed Bi-turbo V8 under its hood, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz G 550 has some disappointing fuel efficiency ratings. The city mileage of the SUV stands at a meager 13mpg while the highway mileage is set at 15mpg. The combined mileage is rated at 14mpg. The SUV gets a decent-sized gas tank holding about 26.4 gallons of gasoline and offers a set of acceptable driving range figures.

The Toyota Land Cruiser has a marginally better highway mileage than the G 550 but identical city and combined mileage ratings but have even lower driving range numbers owing to the smaller gas tank. The Lincoln navigator’s smaller yet punchy twin-turbo powertrain delivers better overall mileage ratings as compared to the G 500 and the Land Cruiser. It also has better driving range figures despite having a comparably smaller 23-gallon gas tank. The Land Rover Range Rover also returns identical fuel economy figures to the Navigator but impresses with its combined mileage rating and a set of impressive driving range figures owing to its big 27-gallon gas tank.

The Mercedes-Benz G wagon has come a long way in terms of its interior despite retaining its similar boxy exterior design language. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G 550 has a plush and comfortable cabin to boast of and the headroom and legroom on offer are impressive as well owing to the tall design of the vehicle. The cabin gets ample space but the ergonomics are not so friendly owing to the shape of the vehicle. Also, getting in and out might be quite a task for some since the footsteps are higher than usual and the door openings are short.

Despite the limitations, there is no lack of comfort and both the front and rear seats are covered in leather along with heating function as standard. Moreover, the optional Seat Comfort package adds the much-revered massaging and ventilation functions for an enhanced luxurious experience. The cargo capacity on offer is also decent at 38.6 cu-ft.

The Toyota Land Cruiser might have slightly smaller interior dimensions on paper but in reality, it feels like a luxury chariot on wheels. The comfort levels are excellent along with the robust build quality of Toyota. The cargo capacity is also impressive at 43 cu-ft as well. The Lincoln Navigator has almost identical interior dimensions to the G 550 and has plenty of luxury appointments throughout the cabin as well. The cargo capacity on offer is slightly lower than the G 550, measuring at 34.3 cu-ft. The Land Rover Range Rover gets a minimalistic yet rich interior with an elegant design language with an abundance of high-tech features on board. The space on offer is also excellent and is more spacious than the G 550.

Some interior features are:

• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Heated front and rear leather seats
• LED ambient interior lighting
• Sunroof
• Digital instrument display

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G 500 gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen display as standard running on the rather old COMAND infotainment system. The interface might be old but is not obsolete yet. It has a decent layout and offers an excellent touch response along with fluid animations and crisp graphics. The connectivity options are limited though since it is an aged system and some of the standard features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Burmester surround-sound system among other features.

Some infotainment features are:

• The 12.3-inch touchscreen display with COMAND infotainment system
• Navigation
• Bluetooth
• Two USB ports
• 15-speaker Burmester audio system
• Satellite radio and HD Radio
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• A Wi-Fi hot spot and a rear-seat entertainment system(optional)

Over the years, the overall design language and shape of the Mercedes-Benz G wagon has remained the same and the 2021 G 550 also sports the same old boxy design too. The front end now looks a bit more aggressive than before with the new headlamp design and round LED DRLs integrated into the headlamp units.

The all-LED headlamps look modern and accentuate the boxy design of the SUV quite well. The side profile looks neat with the classy styling cues from the old G wagon. The rear end looks old-school with the tailgate-mounted spare wheel with a wheel cover. The ground clearance on offer is a towering 9.5-inches. 

As compared to the rivals, the G 550 has smaller dimensions owing to its old design language and has a short wheelbase too. The Toyota land Cruiser looks like a behemoth when compared side-by-side with the G 550 and has more on-paper exterior dimensions than the G wagon as well. It has a slightly shorter wheelbase than the G Class but fails to offer impressive ground clearance like the G 550. The Lincoln Navigator is the longest one here with the most appealing exterior design and excellent ground clearance on offer, but its long wheelbase restricts its off-roading capabilities making it suitable for mild off-roading and an ideal urban luxury chariot. The Land Rover Range Rover has a sporty and elegant design with decent ground clearance for good off-roading capabilities.

Some exterior features are:

• Cornering lamps
• High power LED headlamps
• Power adjustable mirrors
• Daytime running LED
• LED headlamps
• 19-inch wheels

The tall and boxy design of the Mercedes-Benz might make it look like an unsafe vehicle but the 2021 G 550 comes with a plethora of safety techs and a superb build quality to keep the occupants safe in almost any scenario. The vehicle doesn’t get any crash rating from the NHTSA or IIHS unfortunately. The standard safety techs include Forward collision mitigation and lane departure mitigation among others.

Some standout safety techs are:

• Blind Spot Assist
• Parking Assist PARKTRONIC
• 6-way airbag protection
• Adaptive braking technology
• Brake Assist (BAS)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System
• SmartKey
• Night Security Illumination

Mercedes-Benz G Class vs Toyota Land Cruiser

The mighty Toyota Land Cruiser has been a solid performer over the years and rivals the G 550 directly with its impeccable build quality, safety, and superb off-roading abilities. Surely the Land Cruiser can scale most of the terrains with ease but the G 550 has an edge over the former owing to its design and superior ground clearance along with the unique three locking differentials.

Mercedes Benz G Class vs Lincoln Navigator 

The Lincoln Navigator is more comfortable and luxurious than the G 550 and has a better overall design as well. The Navigator isn’t as off-road friendly as the G 550 but offers superior on-road comfort and better driving dynamics as compared to the latter. It also triumphs over the G wagon in terms of fuel economy as well.

Mercedes-Benz G Class vs Land Rover Range Rover

The ultimate face-off between German excellence and British elegance results in a fruitful outcome. The Range Rover offers a perfect blend of comfort and off-roading capability with an intelligent drivetrain and also has an overall better fuel economy as well. On the inside too, the Range Rover is more tech-rich and elegant but lacks the reliability of the G 550.

The G Class is best suited for those who absolutely love off-roading and want to shell out a hefty premium for a vehicle that is also comfortable for day-to-day driving. The downsides of the G 550 such as the poor fuel economy and the lackluster handling are overpowered by the superb off-roading abilities and the old-school design of the SUV. Overall, if you’re an adventure-loving person with very deep pockets, the G 550 is the one for you.