If you’re seeking a status symbol that looks like nothing else, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G-Class (nicknamed the G-Wagen) is worth a look. It delivers actual off-road ability wrapped in an unmistakable body that prioritizes making a statement over aerodynamics. Despite its decades-old appearance, the current G-Class is all 21st century inside, providing the best luxury and technology Mercedes-Benz offers.
Those who are happy with a 416-horsepower turbocharged V8 engine will feel right at home in the G 550. However, power-hungry customers with cash to burn will be happier in the AMG G 63, whose handcrafted V8 turns out an impressive 577 hp.
Although nothing directly compares, those looking to cross-shop the G-Class might look to the Land Rover Range Rover, Lexus LX, or possibly the GMC Hummer EV.
The G-Class is a highly customizable SUV available in two basic variants. Let’s look at what’s standard and available in the famed Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
What’s New:
Other than some new customization packages, the G-Class carries over unchanged.
Our Recommendation:
The Mercedes G 550 is the best choice for most luxury SUV shoppers, but the more powerful AMG G 63 is for enthusiasts with a big budget. This highly customizable SUV allows you to tailor it precisely to your liking.
These are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) and include the $1,150 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge). Prices are current at the time of publishing.
G 550
Starts at $144,150 | See listings
- 416-hp V8
- Three fully-locking differentials
- Power sunroof
- Tri-zone climate control
- 12.3-inch digital cluster
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Burmester audio
- 64-color ambient lighting
- Adaptive cruise control
- See more
AMG G 63
Starts at $180,150 | See listings
- 577-hp handcrafted engine
- AMG-tuned suspension
- AMG-tuned transmission
- High-performance brakes
- AMG exhaust
- AMG Ride Control
- See more
2024 Mercedes-Benz G 550: $144,150
The G-Class has a high starting price — even by full-size luxury SUV standards — because the base model is so well-equipped. A turbocharged V8 engine rated at 416 hp provides the power. It’s mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, and 4-wheel drive (4WD) comes standard. The G-Class is one of the only passenger vehicles on the market with three fully locking differentials (front, rear, center), which is a big part of what makes this SUV such a good off-roader.
Standard exterior features include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, a brush guard, heated, power-folding mirrors, a tow hitch, stainless steel running boards, and a power sunroof.
The well-appointed interior comes standard with leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, memory front seats, 3-zone automatic climate control, velour floor mats, a 115-volt power outlet, 64-color ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a garage door opener.
Every G-Class has a 12.3-inch infotainment system loaded with navigation, SiriusXM, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. It produces outstanding audio quality thanks to the standard Burmester surround sound system.
As for safety and driver assistance tech features, you get active brake assist, adaptive cruise control, attention assist, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign assist, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams.
The G-Class has the high degree of customizability you should expect for a luxury SUV in this price range. For example, there are 32 paint options, including five shades of black.
There are also nine wheel options and a whopping 50 options for different interior color and material combinations. All G-Class models have plush leather seating, but the available Exclusive Nappa leather adds a quilted pattern to the seats. Manufaktur Nappa leather further boosts the quality and customizability. You can get interior upholstery in a wide range of colors like black, Platinum White, Bengal Red, Saddle Brown, and Yacht Blue.
As for interior trim, you can get natural grain walnut wood, brown ash wood, metal weave, carbon fiber, black piano lacquer, and more.
There are several option packages and individual options available. The AMG Line adds a sporty appearance package with an AMG body kit, 20-inch AMG wheels, floor mats, a sports exhaust system, red seatbelts, contrast stitching, and a sport steering wheel.
The Night Package adds a darker appearance with a choice of three black AMG 20-inch wheels, a black brush guard, a black spare wheel cover ring, darkened headlights, taillights, indicators, and more black trim pieces.
The Exclusive Interior Package turns up the luxury with extended leather upholstery, a frameless rearview monitor, silver chrome air vents, a black microfiber headliner, and Nappa leather upholstery inside the tailgate.
If you’re not overwhelmed with choices yet, there are some individual options to consider. A few niceties you can add à la carte to your G-Class include an adaptive damping suspension system, a heated steering wheel, a black painted roof, a two-tone dashboard, and massaging/ventilated front seats.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 550 monthly payment starts at $2,720. See 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 550 models for sale near you
2024 Mercedes-Benz G 550 includes:
Turbocharged V8 — The turbocharged V8 powering the G 550 produces 416 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, giving it strong performance on the road and off.
Three locking differentials — Many SUVs have standard AWD, but the 4Matic system in the G-Class has locking front, rear, and center differentials, contributing to its outstanding off-road capabilities.
Tons of options — The options list for the G-Class might make your head spin, but it’s a highly customizable luxury SUV for drivers with particular tastes.
2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63: $180,150
Drivers craving more robust performance in a luxury SUV will prefer the Mercedes-AMG G 63. The handcrafted AMG-tuned V8 produces 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’s a significant improvement over the already powerful G 550.
In addition to the engine upgrade, other performance enhancements on the AMG model include an AMG Speedshift transmission, high-performance braking and exhaust systems, an AMG Ride Control suspension with adjustable damping, and AMG Dynamic Select with five drive modes and three additional off-road modes.
Many of the AMG features that are optional on the G 550 are standard in the G 63, like the AMG Line appearance package and the AMG performance steering wheel. Besides those details, the standard exterior and interior features are similar to what you get in the G 550.
The AMG model has some of the same option packages and individual options as the G 550, like the AMG Night Package and Exclusive Interior Package.
There’s also an AMG Performance Package with a carbon-fiber engine cover and the elimination of the top-speed limiter. In contrast, the AMG Trail Package adds matte-black wheels with all-terrain tires, a black underguard, rear mud flaps, all-season floor mats, and AMG Ride Control suspension optimized for off-roading.
If you want maximum on-road performance and incredible off-road capabilities without any compromises, consider the Mercedes-AMG G 63 4×4 Squared, an even more extreme variant of the G 63 with 13.8 inches of ground clearance, portal axles, and carbon-fiber trim inside and out. It also has some exclusive paint colors, like Green Hell and Copper Orange. Mercedes claims 4×4 Squared can climb inclines up to 45 degrees and ford water almost three feet deep. But get ready for sticker shock, as it tops out close to $360,000.
On a 60-month loan at 5% financing and $0 down, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 monthly payment starts at $3,400. See 2024 Mercedes-AMG G 63 models for sale near you
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 includes:
AMG-tuned V8 — The handcrafted turbo V8 under the hood makes 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque.
Performance upgrades — The brakes, suspension, and side-pipe exhaust system have all received the AMG treatment to maximize performance.
G 63 4×4 Squared — This special edition has a distinct appearance, unique paint options, and even better off-road capabilities.
