One of the most popular large luxury SUVs out there is the 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. This quirky SUV is known for its boxy look and tough performance on any road surface. 

It looks, however, like there are a couple of things holding it back from being the perfect choice to buy. The Car Connection saw a couple of things they disliked about it, but are they enough to destroy a potential owner’s dream of owning one? Let’s look at what they had to say and see if it’s still a good buy. 

What did they like about the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen?

When it comes to comfort and quality, the G-Wagen received high marks. They gave it a score of 10 out of 10 because of its luxuriousness and its roomy interior. Mercedes-Benz used high-quality materials on the inside and installed the most supportive front and rear seats you can get with an SUV. 

You’ll find the interior space to be tall and narrow, but it doesn’t compromise too much with comfortability. In the rear, you can seat three adults with no problem. If you’re curious about storage space, you’ll be happy to know the G-Wagen has plenty of it. With the rear seat up, you can get 37.4 cubic feet of space, and with the seat down, you can get 79.5 cubic feet. 

Performance is another area that they felt the G-Wagen did well with. Powering it up is a twin-turbo V8 motor that produces 416 hp in the G550 model. In the G63, however, it generates a whopping 577 hp. Paired with it is a nine-speed automatic transmission that handles all that power well. 

What are its drawbacks?

There are two main areas where the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen disappointed the reviewer. One is the bad fuel economy rating. The G550 model only gets 13 mpg on city streets and 17 mpg when traveling on the highway. The G63 model is even worse. It gets 13 mpg in the city and only 15 mpg on the highway. 

Of course, the reason for this is because of the 6,000-lb weight of the vehicle with passengers and fuel included. The cost of having to fuel more often is also exacerbated by the fact that it takes premium fuel, which is the priciest one available. 

The second area that they didn’t like was the price. The G-Wagen isn’t cheap at all. The G-Class starts at around $132,000 for a base model but could go up to $150,000 with options. The AMG G63 model is even more expensive, starting at $160,000, but it could go as high as $190,000. 

Are the dislikes enough to turn people away from buying?

Fuel economy and price are definitely two important factors when choosing any kind of SUV. However, those seriously considering purchasing a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen aren’t usually concerned with these two factors, despite being fully aware of them. 

The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen draws attention for a few different factors. One is its off-road capability. There’s enough power under the hood to propel it over just about any type of terrain. Another thing that attracts drivers to it is the styling. The boxy, rugged look it sports is enough to forget the EPA ratings or price. 

Lastly, it comes with tons of luxurious options to pick and play with. You can get plenty of safety tech features, rich, leather upholstery, massaging seats, as well as a well-rounded paint color palette to choose from. 

Despite its shortcomings, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen commands attention wherever it goes. Off-road enthusiasts and those itching to go on an adventure are usually the ones that take the plunge and purchase one because it’s just that good.