The Mercedes G-Class or G-Wagon could be considered the ultimate SUV. But it’s a vehicle of contrasts. It has no style, except that it’s stylish. It’s too expensive to risk scratching off-road, except it’s incredibly capable off-road. It was designed as a military vehicle, but it’s beloved by celebrities. But the facts about the Mercedes G-Wagon are that it’s one of the great SUVs.

The G-Wagon is old-school. How old school? The door hinges are on the outside. Other than the similarly archaic Jeep Wrangler, there isn’t another SUV on the road with exposed hinges. It’s also new-school, in that it has every driver safety aid and a sophisticated four-wheel-drive system.

But at their core, G-Class wagons are famous for being a modern classic SUV.

What is G-Wagon slang for?

Geländewagen. Gelandewagen simply means “all terrain vehicle” in German. They started as military vehicles before the rich and famous discovered them as boulevard cruisers. When Mercedes updated the G in 2018, it was changed to the G-Class.

How much do Mercedes G-Wagons cost?

The 2022 G-Class comes in two flavors, expensive and really expensive. The G 550 starts at $131,750 with a 4-liter turbocharged V8. It has 416 horsepower and Mercedes says will hit 60 miles per hour in 5.6 seconds. The AMG G 63 starts at $156,450. But that’s only if you can one. For that money you get a hand-build 4-liter AMG V8 that makes 577 horsepower. Mercedes says it will hit 60 in 4.5 seconds.

But the Gs have options. Expensive options. The G Manufaktur Paints can cost add $6,500, 22-inch rims will add $4,450. The AMG Night Package is a $3,600 option, but does all-black everything. Carbon fiber trim will add $3,700. Amazingly, heated and massaging seats aren’t standard. Instead, they are $2,200 add-on. An AMG flat-bottomed steering wheel is a $900 option, $1,150 if you’d prefer it heated. There is also a package labeled “increased top speed” that is $2,200. It boosts your top speed from 137 to 149 miles per hour.

Are G-Wagons good off-road?

G-Wagons are designed to go off-road. Each G-Wagon has three buttons on the dash that activate the 100% differential locks, both front and rear, and the low-range transfer case.  

Every G-Class comes with a “Schöckl Proved” badge. Every new G-Class has to conquer the Schöckl. Mercedes-Benz uses the local mountain near the Austrian city of Graz as a test track. The 5.6 km route includes gradients of up to 60 percent and lateral inclinations of up to 40 percent. AMG does sell a Trail Package that includes AMG’s ride control for an extra $3,050. That package adds a black “underguard,” what we’d call a bash plate, mudflaps, and flat-black five-spoke rims.

How much does a Mercedes G-Wagon cost used?

Every luxury SUV sees significant depreciation. Because G-Wagons haven’t changed much in 40 years, even an old one looks new. A 2012, according to NADA, still sells for $58,400 in average condition. Still, some say that’s a bargain for this much capability. Its original price was $108,000. That’s about $50,000 in depreciation over the last decade, or about $416 a month. For comparison, a 2012 Infiniti QX56 luxury SUV cost $61,800 new and now sells for about $20,000 used. The Benz lost half of its value, while the Infiniti lost two-thirds.

Is the G-Wagon bulletproof?

No. G-Wagons are not bulletproof. But, there are dozens of upfitters in the world like Armormax and Alpine Armoroing that will make yours bulletproof. But one fact about the G-Wagon is that it’s built stout so it can carry the extra weight of bullet-proof glass and panels with ease.

Will there be an electric G-Wagon?

Mercedes is creating its EQ line of electric vehicles, and a G is in the pipeline. The concept EQG looks a lot like the G-Wagon, but with LED lighting everywhere. Benz is short on the technical details, but the website for the EQG is positively wild.