2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The G-Class SUV is available in only one trim, the G550 but if you're looking for something brutal and more powerful, there is an AMG-tuned G63 available. The G550 trim comes equipped with all the modern conveniences you'll need for a superior driving experience. The anticipated starting price is $139,900 and will feature a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen running the latest MBUX system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 15-speaker Burmester surround sound system. The seats will come wrapped with fine quality leather and all cushions will receive a heating function too. Though Mercedes has gone all out considering there is only one trim to pick from, they provide an optional features list if you think the standard amenities are basic, which we think is highly unlikely to happen.

We Recommend

The G550 is the only available trim but if you prefer a slightly sportier look on your SUV, there is an available AMG Line package available, which adds AMG-inspired enhancements for both interior and exterior.

Release Date

The refreshed G-Class has been spotted running its final tests and can be expected to launch towards the end of 2022 or early 2023.

The G550 is a 4L twin-turbo V8-powered vehicle with 416 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque that is equally speedy on the road as it is off it. The G550's engine transmits power through an obedient 9-speed automatic gearbox and comes standard with four-wheel drive. Thanks to an independent front suspension and a lower center of gravity, the G550 has excellent driving manners. At higher speeds, though, its tall, square shape produced a lot of wind noise, which certainly hindered the SUV's ability to feel nimble through curves. Just be sure not to expect a ton of off-road modes like on the Land Rover. Mercedes-Benz anticipates you making the decisions and this gives the whole sense of control when behind the wheel. The Mercedes G-Class is capable of accelerating from a standstill to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds.

While the largest engine comes equipped on the Mercedes, the most powerful vehicle in the lineup happens to be the Lincoln navigator. Howere, this does not favor the American contender in terms of performance and acceleration. The quickest to 60 mph happens to be the Range Rover, that is also the lowest powered SUV here. The Mercedes closely follows in second place but a major downside to the G-Wagen is that the SUV costs much more than its rivals. The Lexus paces itself in the last as it is the only vehicle to take over 6 seconds to clock 60 mph from a standstill.

2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Ride and Handling

Despite giving the G-Class significant off-road capability, the independent front suspension and solid rear axle don't have as much of an impact on on-road use as you might anticipate. Even with the available 22-inch wheels, the ride is firm and busy but not unpleasant. The G-Wagen is also outfitted by Mercedes with three locking differentials and a low-range gear, making it capable of navigating virtually any terrain. It makes the SUV a practical tool when it's not ferrying socialites, due to the large ground clearance and a maximum towing capacity of 7000 pounds. The height of a G-Class is what determines how rapidly it can be driven on pavement and even with all the electronic modifications to the suspension and the wheels, the G-Class still seems like it is riding on stilettos.

2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Braking Performance

The G-Wagen sure isn’t a lightweight vehicle and it is very important and difficult to bring a heavy SUV to stop within safe distances in the most efficient way possible. Mercedes equips the G-Class with adaptive brakes and this braking technology improves safety and comfort while driving. The primary function of ABS aids in performing crucial brake maneuvers, but convenience features also make it simpler to handle everyday driving circumstances. To speed up brake response time in the wet, the "brake drying" feature instantly wipes away the water layer from the brake discs. With the HOLD feature, you can stop the car without needing to keep your foot on the brake. All these features make the driver forget about the fact that they are steering a 5,500+ lbs mammoth.

Though the braking distance for the majority of the SUVs isn’t available, the braking tests were convincing. The Land Rover carries the largest brakes and is also the lightest SUV, giving it the upper hand when it comes to slowing down the quickest. Next in line is the Mercedes and though it weighs 5,554 lbs, it's on the lighter side in comparison. The Lincoln Navigator is the heaviest vehicle here and it sure is going to take the SUV a few additional patches of tarmac to completely stop.

Those who can buy a G550 should have ample financial resources to cover its tendency to guzzle fuel. Every vehicle should achieve 14 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. This does not sound exciting despite the SUV carrying a 26.4-gallon gas tank. The G-Class clearly isn’t the vehicle that would let you cover long distances without having to visit the gas stations multiple times.

The G-Class struggles to push out decent gas mileage figures and the only way it holds up with its rivals is because it comes with the largest gas tank in the lineup. This helps the Mercedes put out a decent overall range. While the lowest EPA rating is carried by Mercedes, the lower range belongs to the Lexus, all because of its tiny gas tank. The best bet in terms of both fuel economy and range is the Range Rover as it offers a highway range of a whopping 618 miles, which is unrivaled as the competition lags far behind.

For 2023, the G-Class will receive a refreshed interior to stay in sync with the rest of the lineup. The inside of the G-class is all about luxury and provides greater room for passengers and cargo, making it a practical vehicle along with being luxurious. A 12.3-inch completely digital instrument cluster, heated leather front, and back seats, a power-adjustable steering column, and three-zone automatic temperature control are all included as standard equipment. Customers can enjoy heated steering wheels, Nappa leather upholstery, and massaging front seats with ventilation by checking a few option boxes. The most sumptuous aesthetic and more than 54 different interior upholsteries are available with the G manufaktur options, but they are somewhat expensive. Although there is ample headroom in both the front and rear seats, the atmosphere isn't as luxurious as in other high-end SUVs.

If all you want is oodles of space inside your SUV for both passengers as well as cargo, it is a no-brainer to pick the Lincoln as it is the only three-row SUV here. Even though the Navigator carries the extra space, it affects the ride by a noticeable margin. Moving to the rest of the lineup, Mercedes isn’t the best pick in terms of interior space, and though the Lexus provides larger front-row space, it loses out on the second-row legroom. In that sense, the Mercedes has a balanced cabin layout. However, the Land Rover is the winner among the two-row SUVs and also offers a commendable cargo space. The G happens to carry the smallest cargo space but is ample to carry a getaway worth of luggage pieces.

Some standout interior features on the 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class include

• Heated leather seats
• Tri-zone climate control
• Power tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Keyless start and ignition
• 64-color LED ambient lighting
• Optional Nappa leather upholstery
• Optional Ventilated front seats with massage function

How intuitive is the 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class infotainment system?

The G-Class was the only vehicle in the previous model year to run a dated infotainment system but that will change in 2023 with the introduction of the latest MBUX system. The SUV has a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with a big touchpad and rotary knob located on the center console for primary control. The system is simple to use and less distracting than touch-heavy systems that rivals offer, and it includes helpful steering-wheel controls and voice directions. The MBUX system is quite versatile. Mercedes-Benz referred to it as revolutionary when it first came out, and we'd think that's about right. Through MBUX and its Android Auto and Apple CarPlay features, you can adjust anything from the seat settings, ambient lighting, and driving modes to the navigation and phone calls. The voice control and the "augmented reality" navigation are the two most noticeable features. The system also spans to the driver's digital gauge cluster and works in coordination with the central display.

Some of the standout infotainment features on the 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class are

• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 5-speaker Burmester surround sound system
• Latest MBUX infotainment system
• Augmented reality navigation system

Even with the 2023 makeover, Mercedes has maintained the G-Wagen's boxy appearance for more than 40 years. With the Benz star up front and even partially obscured by the chrome brush guard that comes standard on the G550, the bulky lines, exposed hinges, and tacked-on side strips would never look right on any other SUV. The facelift will not drastically change the SUV's appearance and will only bring a minor refresh to the front and rear bumpers along with a new grille. The rest of the SUV will remain the same as it was only redesigned completely in 2019. The G-Class has a distinct profile with clean lines and broad, flat surfaces. The exposed spare tire on the tailgate, protective strip and exterior door hinges give it a distinctive personality, while the wide track and dramatic wheel arch liners give it a commanding appearance.

It’s no surprise that the Lincoln has the longest and tallest dimensions and this also gives the SUV a longer wheelbase. However, the Range Rover has a wide stance, giving it a commanding appearance. Though all the SUVs are massive and heavy, the smallest of them all is the Mercedes but it sure helps it feel more swift and agile compared to its rivals. Lincoln also offers the highest ground clearance and is followed by the Mercedes, and while the space helps its trail off-road with ease, it makes the process of getting in and out a task compared to the convenience that its rivals provide.

Some of the standout exterior features include

• 19 or 22-inch wheels
• Stainless steel running boards
• Electrically heated windscreen
• LED headlights
• Rain-sensing windscreen wipers
• Exterior mirror logo projectors
• Brush guard

The G-Class does not carry any safety ratings on NHTSA or IIHS but Mercedes has been building this SUV with a rigid structure ever since its days being used in the military. Mercedes does its best to provide the G-Class with safety features that will help avoid collisions. Standard features include waterproof rear view cameras and automatic emergency braking. Spend more on features like active parking assistance, blind-spot monitoring, surround-view cameras, and adaptive cruise control. A large ute like this one needs all of those components to function safely.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class are

• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Active brake assist
• Trailer stability assist
• Night security illumination
• Active lane-keeping assist
• Adaptive braking technology

2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover

Both these vehicles are luxurious and yet are capable of trailing an off-road patch without having to sweat a lot. The G-Wagen does hold a legacy but the legacy is not what one would be driving. The Range Rover feels much more premium with better comfort and quality of materials. Considering that the Ranger Rover received a complete generation change recently, it comes with a lot more tech and numerous drive modes. The best part however is that the Range Rover starts selling for a lower price than the Mercedes.

2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2023 Lincoln Navigator Black Label

The Lincoln Navigator Black Label is a top-of-the-line model from the American premium brand. The major difference between the two comes in the form of passenger and cargo capacity as the Lincoln is a three-row SUV. However, despite being the expensive pick out of the two, we’d still go for the G-Wagen for its sheer off-road capabilities and of course, the status that the SUV carries. The Lincoln also feels lackluster in terms of its drive and can sway in different directions while maneuvering it through curves.

2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2023 Lexus LX 600

Lexus LX 600 is the cheapest offering and costs way too lower compared to the Mercedes. However, the Lexus offers various trims that take its price closer to the Mercedes. The LX 600 is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser which does not sell in the US market but is much more premium and better built. Like the G-Class, the Lexus is capable of trailing off-road but the Japanese alternative seems to lack the performance and drive pleasure that the Mercedes offers. There also is a major difference in terms of the interior quality and the Lexus has no match against the Mercedes in terms of the way it makes you feel.

In the Mercedes lineup, the G-Class is a mainstay. It continues to look the same because of this. But don't be fooled as it has changed underneath. The G-Class has improved to the point where it can now be compared to high-end Range Rovers in terms of road manners, cabin design, and quality. The G won't let you down if you really want significant off-road capability while being a little less quiet and smooth. Its positioning is intriguing because it shows how important having an exploratory halo car is to Mercedes even now. If you can bear with slight body rolls and a borderline fuel economy, the G-Class will surely make you genuinely happy and this SUV deserves to be driven off-road and can handle any terrain that you throw at it.