The Mercedes G-Class is an ultra-luxury status symbol coveted by the world’s well-to-do. It’s also an amazingly robust SUV capable of serious off-road adventures. The G 550’s ride and handling are not as car-like as rivals like the Land Rover Range Rover and Cadillac Escalade, but its level of features and amenities more than makes up for it.
If the standard 416-horsepower G 550 isn’t enough for your tastes, AMG adds its own unique spin to the G-Class, creating the 577-horsepower G 63. The G 550 and G 63 employ a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, but the AMG version is hand-crafted and puts out more horsepower and torque. Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive is standard, as is a 2-speed transfer case, three differential locks, and a 9-speed automatic transmission.
2022 Mercedes-Benz G 550 (starting at $132,000, estimated)
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz G 550 starts at an estimated $132,000.
Being that the G 550 is the company’s flagship SUV, it’s a given you’ll find things like power accessories and automatic climate control. That said, we’re going to focus on some of the G 550’s more unique standard and available equipment and explain a bit more about what some of them do.
Beginning with the G 550’s exterior, you’ll find 19-inch 8-spoke alloy wheels, stainless steel running boards, and a stainless steel brush guard.
Intelligent Light System LED headlights can adjust horizontally and vertically and vary luminosity to provide more or less light. A Smart Key proximity key fob allows easy entry and start merely by having the fob in your purse or pocket, while rain-sensing wipers automatically activate when rain, mist, or snow hits the windshield. The windshield and washers are electrically heated, as are the power-folding side mirrors that also include a driver’s side auto-dimming feature.
The G 550 includes a rear wiper that automatically activates if necessary when the vehicle is in reverse, side mirror welcome lights that project an MB star logo on the ground, and headlights that remain lit after the vehicle is locked, helping light your way in the dark.
Beyond its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine and 4Matic all-wheel drive, the G 550 employs Dynamic Select with modes for Sport, Comfort, Eco, Desert, and a mode you can customize a la carte, the aptly named Individual. With its 7,000-pound tow rating, the G 550’s standard trailer sway control is a big help.
On the safety and driver-aid front, the G-Class wants for nothing. It includes 10 airbags, electronic traction and stability control, plus an individual tire pressure monitoring system for each wheel.
Driver aids are numerous and include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, and a driver attention monitor that can detect drowsy or inattentive driving.
Adaptive cruise control (Distronic in MB-speak), a parallel and perpendicular parking assistant (Parktronic), traffic sign recognition, a rearview camera, automatic high-beam headlights, and Mercedes-Benz Pre Safe and Pre Safe Sound are all standard. In an inevitable collision situation, Pre Safe prepares the cabin by tightening seat belts, repositions the front passenger seat, and begins to close any open windows and the sunroof. Pre Safe Sound emits a pink noise that triggers the human ear to shut out loud noises that may occur at the moment of impact.
The G 550’s interior is equally well equipped, with tri-zone climate control, a 64-color ambient lighting system, a power tilt and slide glass sunroof, and a handsome 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Buyers can upgrade the standard leather upholstery with Nappa leather in several colors. Further amenities include 12-way power front seats with 3-position memory (contains settings for the steering wheel and mirrors), three-level heated front and rear seats, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and a 115-volt power outlet.
While the G 550’s infotainment system is robust, it still uses the older Comand system rather than the latest MBUX upgrade found in other Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs. The system includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a somewhat complex controller. The controller is placed on the center console and combines a rotary knob with preset buttons and a touchpad that responds to various finger motions, such as pinch, swipe, and zoom.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is Bluetooth streaming and SiriusXM satellite radio. You also get three years of Mercedes me connected services with features like remote start, stolen vehicle tracking, remote lock/unlock, all via a smartphone-linked app. The system includes standard GPS navigation with three years of free traffic alerts and over-the-air map updates.
Audio comes compliments of a standard 590-watt Burmester sound system that includes 15 speakers and a method to compensate for outside ambient noise.
Optional equipment for the G 550 is almost as long as its standard feature set, with most items bundled into packages.
There are 23 standard paint colors and another 14 custom G Manufaktur colors, along with nine different wheel choices ranging in size from 18-to 20-inches. Several AMG exterior styling packages are available, adding 20-inch AMG wheels, a sport exhaust, an AMG Sport steering wheel, and AMG styling cues.
The Seat Comfort Package adds multicontour front seats with massage, ventilated front seats, and a rapid heating system for the front seats.
The Exclusive Interior Package brings Nappa leather upholstery, a Dinamica faux-suede headliner, and additional interior appointments such as leather coverings for the upper and lower dash and cargo area door trim.
The Exclusive Interior Plus Package combines the above two packages, then adds diamond-quilted Nappa leather upholstery.
Other interior upgrades include a choice of wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel designs, a heated steering wheel, a 2-tone dash, red seatbelts, and various wood accents.
Buyers can also opt for an adaptive suspension with electronically adjustable shock damping that automatically adjusts to varying road conditions. The shocks can also firm up or soften depending on the Dynamic Select mode.
With the $1,050 destination charge, the estimated price for a 2022 Mercedes-Benz G 550 comes to around $133,000. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, you can expect a monthly payment in the neighborhood of $2,390. See 2022 Mercedes-Benz G 550 models for sale
2022 Mercedes-Benz G 550 SUV includes:
- Burmester audio – An impressive surround sound system designed specifically for the G 550’s interior, with detailed aluminum speaker grilles befitting the G 550’s high-end interior.
- Digital instrument cluster – The configurable 12.3-inch digital cluster can show several display options, giving the driver exactly what they feel is most needed when driving.
- 12-way power front seats – Along with the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, these seats help the driver to find the perfect perch. With memory.
- Driver aids – From its automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist to rear cross-traffic assist and active headlights that can vary in intensity and direction, the G 550’s driver aids are like having a full-time co-pilot along for the ride.
2022 Mercedes-AMG G 63 (starting at $158,000, estimated)
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG G 63 starts at an estimated $158,000.
The AMG formula on the G-Glass adds more power, better handling, improved stopping power, and a sportier appearance.
Building off the G 550, the G 63 adds a hand-crafted twin-turbo V8, an AMG-configured 9-speed automatic transmission, AMG adaptive suspension dampers, an AMG performance exhaust, and AMG brakes. A revised AMG Dynamic Select includes Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ settings, plus three additional off-road drive modes: Sand, Trail, and Rock.
The G 63 comes fitted with 20-inch AMG alloy wheels, AMG-style bumpers with large front air intakes, AMG vertical chrome bar grille, an AMG brush guard, and various other AMG styling cues.
The G 63 gains the contents of the Exclusive Interior Package, an AMG Performance steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery, a 360-degree surround-view monitor, and a wireless charging pad. The Performance steering wheel includes AMG Drive Unit controls that allow the driver to adjust performance settings quickly with the touch of a button.
Along with the G 550’s optional upgrades, G 63 buyers can choose 21- and 22-inch wheels, four AMG styling packages, and a number of accessories.
Buyers can opt for the AMG Trail Package that adds an off-road optimized AMG adaptive suspension, 20-inch matte black AMG wheels, a black under guard, and rear mud flaps.
The G 63 also is available with the Exclusive Interior Package Plus, which includes exclusive Nappa leather with diamond quilting, Exclusive Plus interior appointments, active multicontour seats with massage, and vented front seats with rapid heating.
With the $1,050 destination charged, the cost for the 2022 Mercedes-AMG G 63 is an estimated $159,000. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment is around $2,857. See 2022 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 models for sale
2022 Mercedes-AMG G 63 SUV includes:
- Hand-crafted V8 – Assembled by a single AMG specialist, this 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 pumps out 577 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, giving the G 63 a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds.
- AMG adaptive suspension – Automatically adjusts the suspension to varying road conditions or to match the selected Dynamic Select mode for optimal performance.
- 360-degree monitor – Allows a full 360-degree view outside the G 63, a bonus when navigating treacherous off-road trails.
- Nappa leather upholstery – The finest Nappa leather in various colors, along with special sew patterns, make for a truly luxurious interior.
