2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Just As Rugged, Much More Refined

[supra93]

Huge improvements in luxury and drivability don't interfere with the G-Wagen's incredible off-road chops.
Mercedes-Benz says its G-Class is a true automotive icon. And really, it’s hard to argue otherwise. After all, the G has been with us in basically the same form for almost four decades. How many other vehicles can withstand the test of time like that?

And indeed, while the 2019 G-Class features a number of substantial updates over its predecessor, the iconic Geländewagen largely stays the course. Exterior updates include a few smoother surfaces, reshaped headlights and taillights, slimmer front blinkers, and new wheels. By the numbers, the new G-Class grows by 2.1 inches in length, 4.8 inches in width, and 0.3 inches in height.

Of course, the big gains are found inside, where the new G has more room for all passengers, especially those in back. The previous G-Class offered decidedly tight accommodations for back-seat riders, and thanks to a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase, not to mention repositioning of the rear seats, there’s an additional six inches of legroom back there. As we explained in our interior deep dive last month, this is just one part of an interior that’s way, way nicer than before. Every surface is new, with a design that’s both familiar and upscale. Read all about it, here.

But don’t think all that luxury means the G-Class is any less capable off road. There are still three independently locking differentials, a low-range gear, and a new suspension design. Yes, there’s an independent front suspension now, but that means on-road performance should be a lot better, and Mercedes insists that off-road prowess doesn’t suffer. The numbers don’t lie: Approach, departure, and breakover angles are all improved by one degree, and there’s an extra 3.9 inches of fording depth. We’re stoked to get this thing out in the mud.

The 2019 G-Class will first be offered as a G550 in the U.S., with the same 4.0-liter biturbo V8 as the outgoing model. You won’t hear us complain – the V8 is a real honey under the hood of the G, and output numbers of 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet are nothing to sneeze at. A new nine-speed automatic transmission joins the engine for 2019, as well.

We won’t drive the G-Class for another couple of months, but we’re expecting good things. For starters, the G finally ditches its ancient recirculating ball steering setup in favor of a electromechanical rack-and-pinion system. It likely won’t be a shining beacon of involvement, but given how wishy-washy the old G’s steering is, this more modern geometry ought to pay dividends out on the road. Mercedes is also fitting the G550 with a Dynamic Select switch, with Comfort, Sport, Eco, and Individual settings, as well as something called “G-Mode,” which automatically activates whenever one of the three differential locks are activated, or when the car goes into low-range gear. According to the automaker’s press release, G-Mode “adapts the adjustable damping of the chassis and the steering as well as the accelerator characteristic, avoids unnecessary gear shifts and thus ensures optimum control and maximum off-road capability.” Cool.

Pricing for the G-Class will be announced closer to its market launch in late 2018. Following the G550’s debut, we fully expect AMG versions to follow. Look for those to arrive in 2019. For now, enjoy the full gallery of high-res imagery below.

https://www.motor1.com/news/227191/2...ealed-detroit/

[uniqueMR]

My favorite truck. If I ever buy a truck, it will be G-Class (G63)

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by uniqueMR

My favorite trunk. If I ever buy a trunk, it will be G-Class (G63)

My sentiments exactly. I'm shocked they redesigned it to be so familiar with he previous, but kudos for executing it so well.

[RM7]

Needs to be the armored version.

[kprocivic]

that front end looks like shit. it looks like a matchbox truck.

[Dlpfcb]

Looks just like the last one.... And we have all been giving BMW a hard time lately for some of there cars they are putting out. Mercedes releases this and it's all of a sudden the holy grail. Hahaha.

[Sedoy]

Nice, but I prefer old headlights setup, new ones make it look like "goat eyes"

[mkoesel]

To me, the bigger issue than the carry-over styling (which has long been expected, for better or worse) is the carry-over engine. They could have gone with the new I6 for more power (yes the M256 I6 in top spec makes more power than the M176 V8 in bottom end spec), better efficiency, and very little compromise in torque. Yes it is truck, so of course there should be a torquey V8 on offer as well, which is why they should used the ~500hp specification in this application which would also improve torque from the 416hp version as well. Of course there will still be a G63 with the V8 in 600hp+ specification later, but why should there be a 200hp gap between it and the entry level model?

[Germanauto]

It's too feminine inside and out.

Big improvement, but still no Range Rover.

[jpdchicago]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

It's too feminine inside and out.

Big improvement, but still no Range Rover.

All the ones I see around here (and there are a lot in the north suburbs of Chicago) are driven by (wealthy) female drivers. So may be you are on to something here...
It is also a lot better than a minivan to go around town.

[Red Bread]

The car of pretentious gits everywhere. Just buy a dozen Wranglers.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

The car of pretentious gits everywhere. Just buy a dozen Wranglers.

That said ( :: tips hat :: ), it is the standard by which all other luxury SUVs with actual off-road capability are measured. Even Range Rover. Why mess with that beyond an updating?

I, too, don't like the new headlights, but hey: Jeep didn't mess with those that much in the Wrangler, so why should M-B in a vehicle that's arguably just as iconic?

As for it being feminine: It's a fairly well balanced mix to me. The interior air ducts look like the intakes of an aircraft engine; that's decidedly masculine. So is all that metal. So is that sans serif-font clock face. So is all that carbon fiber in between the metal. I think some (including me) are seeing the off-white leather as a feminine offset of the otherwise functional-looking control surfaces. The digital dash, well ... Let's see how well it holds up with a little mud splattered on it, eh?

[Red Bread]

Interior looks great, honestly. Outside looks like the Kleenex box it's always looked like. I guess I just have a little more hatred towards them since my folks live in Santa Fe, where they've been running around for a few decades before US imports officially started.

[supra93]

[Viffermike]

Guess this officially means Ah-nold is now not the poster boy for the H1, even well after it (and its parent company's) demise ...

[Germanauto]

I'm amazed the center of the steering wheel isn't leather. Looks like Merc only does it on the S-class.

[scoobysaurus]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

It's too feminine inside and out.

Big improvement, but still no Range Rover.

Yup it's no Range Rover. It costs 1.5 times as much and is 150 times more reliable than a Range Rover.

And calling the G feminine while glorifying the Range Rover? The irony is strong here. Have you ever driven either one of them? The G drives like an army tank while the Range rover takes little to no effort to drive. The true Range Rover competitor from Merc is the GLS anyway and they compete in the same wealthy soccer mom market. I'd take a G63 over that feminine Land Rover all day any day.

[FriskyDingo]

I love timeless vehicles like this.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by scoobysaurus

Yup it's no Range Rover. It costs 1.5 times as much and is 150 times more reliable than a Range Rover.

And calling the G feminine while glorifying the Range Rover? The irony is strong here. Have you ever driven either one of them? The G drives like an army tank while the Range rover takes little to no effort to drive. The true Range Rover competitor from Merc is the GLS anyway and they compete in the same wealthy soccer mom market. I'd take a G63 over that feminine Land Rover all day any day.

I said it "looks," not "drives" feminine.

[MaC-N54-E82]

Do want!

[eleniki]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Nice, but I prefer old headlights setup, new ones make it look like "goat eyes"

hey, goats are great. but yes, they could have designed them to be more appealing and to add something to the car. with those headlights, it looks like the front has been assembled in the last moment with the only set they've left.
I prefer the 2015 edition - looks better.

[neliconcept]

no more solid axle for the G. That's a huge turn off.