2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

Jay M on October 5, 2020

Truly a Beast! Owning and driving multiple exotic and luxury vehicles; nothing beats G63. Absolute Power, Style, Drive and Road presence. No wonder why there is a 7-8 months wait time and one of the most sought after vehicle. New G63 platform is super stable, great handling, luxurious (mayback class) still maintaining 1972 Battle Field rugged looks. I can go on and on...

Thomas on June 18, 2020

The old G-Class was an utter liability, especially the G63, almost lethally unstable and unable to cope with the demands placed upon it by the rampant engine. The new one is a… revelation. I can’t believe the transformation. OK, it’s not a Range Rover, there’s still a trace of ladder fame shudder and shimmy on rough roads, but the ride, the steering, the drivability – it’s on another level. Here’s a two-metre tall, 2.5-tonne SUV that can actually be driven with some verve. No longer will you set out for a long trip with trepidation, no longer will corners petrify. You used to be able to swing the steering over a wide arc in the old recirculating ball-equipped car, and nothing would happen. Don’t try that now. You’ll actually change direction. There’s proper rack and pinion steering and although the type of people who wear camo trousers might loathe the loss of the front beam axle (independent driveshafts now drop out of either side of the front differential casing), the new-found composure and trust is a revelation. The front end has grip, the roll is way better managed than you expect and the G63 engine… I’m still not sure it’s necessary for the G63 to be this fast. 0-62mph in 4.5secs is bonkers, but there’s now less disparity between the acceleration, handling and brakes. The advantage still lies with the engine, and it’s hard to resist its charms, either the hoof-in-the-back acceleration or the accompanying V8 rumble and roar from the side exit pipes. It is ballistically fast in a way something that weighs 2,485kg probably shouldn’t be. At least the brakes do what they’re supposed to now. That’s new, too. So on-road it has the composure and manners that may not better a Range Rover in terms of smoothness and silence, but do at least make it a realistic alternative. And off-road it can do things that are literally unbelievable. Pressing the centre diff lock button changes the modes from road settings - Comfort, Sport, Eco (!), Individual - to G-Mode, which can be left to do its own thing, or you can pick from Sand, Trail and Rock positions, where the settings of the suspension stiffness, steering weight and engine are adapted accordingly. But it’s what happens when you lock the rear and front differentials and select low range that’s uncanny. The G-Class becomes unstoppable, you just point it at stuff, take it slow and all that torque meters itself out in an entirely different and much more precise way. It is imperious off-road, feels ultra-durable and tough.The cabin has improved almost as much as the road manners. The old one was hopelessly cramped front and back and the environment was utilitarian. Now there’s actual elbow and knee room and an extra 150mm of legroom in the back. If that suggests it’s now class-leading… it’s not, it’s just that is was terribly small before. The high floor still means the seating position in the back isn’t particularly relaxing and if you open the side-hinged tailgate you’ll find the boot is probably a bit smaller than you expect as well. The downside of a ladder-frame chassis is that it’s not anything like as space efficient as a modern monocoque. But Merc has done a great job of tarting this one up into something relatively glamorous, something that’s going to appeal to its urban audience. The dash employs the S-Class’s twin 12-inch screens, and thoroughly modern infotainment and functionality, up to and including a 15 speaker, 590-watt Burmester sound system. Rear visibility isn’t great, but the upright pillars, slab sides and visible bonnet actually make the G-Class easy to place for manoeuvring. That can be your excuse when your friends ask why you’ve bought a G-Class when you never drive outside the M25. Couple more things. Apparently G-Class owners were so wedded to some of the old car’s features that Mercedes has had to engineer them into the new one, too. Specifically the door slam and door lock noises. Once heard, never forgotten. Especially the latter, if only because of its volume…

G550 MBZ on April 4, 2020

Incredible build quality inside and out, like a Rolls or Bentley. Smooth ride with 20" wheels. Feels very safe . Excellent visibility. Best stereo I have ever heard. Fantastic multicontour front seats Some wind noise at higher speeds, not as efficient as GLS, slightly truck like.

JoeyA on January 12, 2020

Excellent and luxuries extremely comfortable and fun to drive. Owned prior years model g63 this one is the best so far. For everyone out there it’s a must best car ever

YJ on December 11, 2019

I’m loving the G63 AMG, so easy to get to know, to drive, super comfortable, great power, great sound inside and out. So far so good.

Jay M on October 5, 2020

Truly a Beast! Owning and driving multiple exotic and luxury vehicles; nothing beats G63. Absolute Power, Style, Drive and Road presence. No wonder why there is a 7-8 months wait time and one of the most sought after vehicle. New G63 platform is super stable, great handling, luxurious (mayback class) still maintaining 1972 Battle Field rugged looks. I can go on and on...

Thomas on June 18, 2020

The old G-Class was an utter liability, especially the G63, almost lethally unstable and unable to cope with the demands placed upon it by the rampant engine. The new one is a… revelation. I can’t believe the transformation. OK, it’s not a Range Rover, there’s still a trace of ladder fame shudder and shimmy on rough roads, but the ride, the steering, the drivability – it’s on another level. Here’s a two-metre tall, 2.5-tonne SUV that can actually be driven with some verve. No longer will you set out for a long trip with trepidation, no longer will corners petrify. You used to be able to swing the steering over a wide arc in the old recirculating ball-equipped car, and nothing would happen. Don’t try that now. You’ll actually change direction. There’s proper rack and pinion steering and although the type of people who wear camo trousers might loathe the loss of the front beam axle (independent driveshafts now drop out of either side of the front differential casing), the new-found composure and trust is a revelation. The front end has grip, the roll is way better managed than you expect and the G63 engine… I’m still not sure it’s necessary for the G63 to be this fast. 0-62mph in 4.5secs is bonkers, but there’s now less disparity between the acceleration, handling and brakes. The advantage still lies with the engine, and it’s hard to resist its charms, either the hoof-in-the-back acceleration or the accompanying V8 rumble and roar from the side exit pipes. It is ballistically fast in a way something that weighs 2,485kg probably shouldn’t be. At least the brakes do what they’re supposed to now. That’s new, too. So on-road it has the composure and manners that may not better a Range Rover in terms of smoothness and silence, but do at least make it a realistic alternative. And off-road it can do things that are literally unbelievable. Pressing the centre diff lock button changes the modes from road settings - Comfort, Sport, Eco (!), Individual - to G-Mode, which can be left to do its own thing, or you can pick from Sand, Trail and Rock positions, where the settings of the suspension stiffness, steering weight and engine are adapted accordingly. But it’s what happens when you lock the rear and front differentials and select low range that’s uncanny. The G-Class becomes unstoppable, you just point it at stuff, take it slow and all that torque meters itself out in an entirely different and much more precise way. It is imperious off-road, feels ultra-durable and tough.The cabin has improved almost as much as the road manners. The old one was hopelessly cramped front and back and the environment was utilitarian. Now there’s actual elbow and knee room and an extra 150mm of legroom in the back. If that suggests it’s now class-leading… it’s not, it’s just that is was terribly small before. The high floor still means the seating position in the back isn’t particularly relaxing and if you open the side-hinged tailgate you’ll find the boot is probably a bit smaller than you expect as well. The downside of a ladder-frame chassis is that it’s not anything like as space efficient as a modern monocoque. But Merc has done a great job of tarting this one up into something relatively glamorous, something that’s going to appeal to its urban audience. The dash employs the S-Class’s twin 12-inch screens, and thoroughly modern infotainment and functionality, up to and including a 15 speaker, 590-watt Burmester sound system. Rear visibility isn’t great, but the upright pillars, slab sides and visible bonnet actually make the G-Class easy to place for manoeuvring. That can be your excuse when your friends ask why you’ve bought a G-Class when you never drive outside the M25. Couple more things. Apparently G-Class owners were so wedded to some of the old car’s features that Mercedes has had to engineer them into the new one, too. Specifically the door slam and door lock noises. Once heard, never forgotten. Especially the latter, if only because of its volume…

G550 MBZ on April 4, 2020

Incredible build quality inside and out, like a Rolls or Bentley. Smooth ride with 20" wheels. Feels very safe . Excellent visibility. Best stereo I have ever heard. Fantastic multicontour front seats Some wind noise at higher speeds, not as efficient as GLS, slightly truck like.

JoeyA on January 12, 2020

Excellent and luxuries extremely comfortable and fun to drive. Owned prior years model g63 this one is the best so far. For everyone out there it’s a must best car ever

YJ on December 11, 2019

I’m loving the G63 AMG, so easy to get to know, to drive, super comfortable, great power, great sound inside and out. So far so good.