2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

We’ve all seen movies where the hero is chased by villains driving G-Class SUVs. There’s a reason for that. The G-Class makes the evil-doers look even more daunting. They’re obviously successful in their nefarious and ruthless pursuits and can afford the toughest, most capable vehicles out there. Being chased by a RAV4 isn’t half as dramatic.

The G-Class is more than just an SUV, it’s now part of the culture. An aura has built up around it. The G-Class excels at going off-road, it comes with powerful engines, it’s a Mercedes-Benz — so there’s a lot of luxury and tech, and it’s recognizable in an instant.

Virtually hand-made in an Austrian factory (each one takes about 100 work hours) and with military roots, the G-Class hasn’t changed much since the original model decades ago. This is now the second generation, which launched for 2019. And although most AMG versions of other Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not necessarily the biggest sellers, the G 63 AMG turns that notion on its head.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of upper-tier luxury SUVs, including the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

The G 550 receives a new engine: a turbocharged 6-cylinder unit with a mild hybrid system. The grille and bumpers have been redesigned. Aerodynamic enhancements and extra sound insulation promise to reduce cabin noise. Newly optional safety features are Active Steering Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, and Route-Based Speed Adaptation.

A reworked off-road mode brings an Off-Road Cockpit to the instrument cluster, showing things like altitude, compass direction, steering angle, and tire temperatures and pressures. A new Transparent Hood feature employs the 360-degree camera system to display (in the center screen) what is around and under the G-Class to help make better assessments of possible obstacles and hazards.

An all-electric G-Class is supposedly in the works. No word yet on when that will arrive.

Depending on budgets and what’s required from a luxury SUV, there’s a spread of alternatives. It’s odd to mark out a Porsche Cayenne as a cheaper choice, but it starts at about $80K. The Lexus LX 600 comes in just under the $100K mark, while the Land Rover Range Rover begins at almost $110K. As a rival to the G 63 AMG, the BMW X5 M has a ton of driver appeal and costs around $124K. Up at the richer end, the Bentley Bentayga breaks the $200K barrier, and there’s not much change from $250K when acquiring a base Lamborghini Urus.

Before buying a new G-Class luxury SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Resale values may not be much of a consideration in this moneyed milieu, but the G-Class retains its worth quite well. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The G 63 AMG corrals its considerable 577 horsepower to sprint from standstill to 60 mph in a fleeting 4.2 seconds, which is simultaneously crazy and wonderful for a large and heavy SUV.

The G 550 now has 443 horsepower (from a new turbocharged 6-cylinder engine) to zip from standstill to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, 0.3 of a second faster than last year’s V8-powered G 550. Top speeds are limited electronically to 130 mph and why would anyone need to go faster? Those with an answer to that question can choose the optional AMG Driver’s Package with the G 63 and reach 174 mph.

The other big-money SUV in this bracket is the Range Rover, whose 606-horsepower V8 catapults its occupants to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. But that comes in a version costing more than $200K.

There’s no way the G-Class luxury SUV wouldn’t create some wind noise on the freeway. It’s just not shaped to be slippery. But we’ve still found it bearable, and the acoustic laminated glass helps. What might also help is the new-for-2025 spoiler lip on the roof’s front edge, along with cladding on the A-pillars, plus extra sound insulation.

The ride quality at freeway speeds is composed, while the steering remains precise — something we can’t say of other off-road specialists we’ve driven. However, the turning circle is awkwardly large (44.6 feet), so the G-Class can be cumbersome to maneuver into tight parking spots.

The AMG G 63 is the most engaging G-Class, while its standard adaptive suspension offers a broader range of comfort and sportiness than the G 550 (which offers the adaptive suspension as an option — we recommend it). If absolute smoothness and serenity are high on the list of priorities, though, we’d say check out the plusher and more tranquil Range Rover.

In typical Mercedes-Benz fashion, the 9-speed automatic transmissions in both models operate subtly and sweetly, always finding the ideal gear for the moment. When such moments include being nowhere near any tarmac, the G-Class has three locking differentials in its standard 4-wheel drive system for complete control of how much power goes to each wheel.

There are three buttons on the dashboard and a prescribed order in how these differentials are deployed: center, rear, front. In combination with a high/low-range transfer case, this setup helps to make the G-Class seemingly unstoppable off-road.

Fuel Economy

What follows might spark either hilarity or horror, depending on your viewpoint. The regular G 63 AMG achieves 14 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The 4×4 Squared version of the G 63 manages just 11 mpg combined. The Range Rover’s engines deliver fuel economy figures in the high teens or low 20s.

The G 550’s new engine should improve upon last year’s 14 mpg combined. We’ll post figures when they become available.

Leather, wood, heated front seats, an analog clock, and a gorgeous Burmester surround-sound system greet those who enter the 2025 G-Class. Climbing into this tall SUV is made easier by the running boards, plus a grab handle for the front passenger.

The Manufaktur personalization program has been expanded this year to offer color schemes of 2-tone leather upholstery, a first for the G-Class.

We reckon cabin space should be more than sufficient for most people. Rear legroom is a decent 39.5 inches. One thing to be aware of, though, is that the G-Class is narrower than the Range Rover, so three people sitting in the back is going to be something of a squeeze.

Behind the 60/40 split/folding rear seats is 38.1 cubic feet of luggage space. When those seats are folded, this area opens out to 68.6 cubic feet. Again, that narrowness might be an issue. Stowing a couple of mountain bikes will probably mean taking off their front wheels. To compare, the Range Rover has 40.7/83.5 cubic feet.

Stay in one place long enough and the whole world will go past you. Or stick to one design and it will eventually come back into fashion. Boxy SUVs are trending again — just look at the Land Rover Defender, Hyundai Santa Fe and the Ford Bronco. The G-Class has always reveled in its boxiness. It’s the most practical shape, accommodating tall folks in both rows, while the large glass areas create excellent outward vision. Drivers also find it easy to tell where the corners of the body are, which is pretty much essential when off-roading. Just ask anyone with a Jeep Wrangler.

By concentrating on functionality above all else, Mercedes-Benz has created a particular kind of beauty. The company did this with the original G and hasn’t messed much with the formula for the current generation. Size-wise, the G-Class is approximately 16 feet long, similar to the regular Range Rover, or about four inches shorter than a BMW X5.

Changes this year include cladding on the A-pillars, an aerodynamic lip on the roof’s leading edge, redesigned bumpers front and rear, and a revised grille featuring four horizontal slats.

Getting down to the details, both versions have stainless steel running boards. The G 550 runs on 19-inch alloy wheels, while the G 63 has 20-inch alloy wheels, side exhaust pipes, plus a model-specific grille. The spare wheel is mounted on the rear door (instead of stowed underneath), maximizing ground clearance and departure angles when off-roading. And the door itself is hinged at the side — no heavy tailgate to lift.

Burmester 15-speaker/590-watt surround-sound system
Often an option in other Mercedes-Benz vehicles, this is standard in both new G-Class models. In our experience and opinion, Burmester makes some truly fine audio setups.

Dynamic Select Drive modes
These selectable driving modes perform a lot of the decision-making when piloting a G-Class across rough terrain or even smooth tarmac. Drivers have the choice of Slippery, Comfort, Sport or Sport+, plus an Individual setting where personal preferences for aspects like steering and throttle response are set and stored.

Guard 360
This is a standard feature in every new G-Class. It notifies the owner through a phone app if someone attempts to steal the vehicle or if it’s damaged while parked.

Heated/ventilated/massaging multi-contour front seats
If the terrain under the wheels is rough and demanding, there’s no reason why the driver and front passenger can’t still be in the lap of luxury with these optional front seats.

AMG Ride Control suspension
Some buyers may want to maximize the off-road potential of their new G-Class luxury SUV. We’ve found that one way is to select the AMG Trail Package offered with the G 63 for about $3,000. It includes an off-road-optimized adaptive suspension.

4×4 Squared
As if a super-powerful expensive SUV wasn’t enough of a niche model already, Mercedes-Benz offers this twist on the AMG G 63 variant. It uses special wheel hubs (known as portal hubs) that raise ground clearance to an extremely off-road-friendly height.

The new engine in the 2025 G 550 gives and takes away. This 3.0-liter inline-6 (replacing a turbocharged V8) is augmented by a mild hybrid system that includes an electric supercharger (plus has a smooth stop/restart action). There’s also a turbocharger on board, contributing to a total of 443 horsepower, 27 horses more than before. Peak torque, however, is now 413 lb-ft — a drop of 37 lb-ft. Then again, 413 is not what you’d call weak. Mercedes-Benz also claims better fuel economy than before, but has yet to provide any figures.

The G 63 AMG (the most popular variant) retains its awesome twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, hand-assembled by one technician who affixes a signed plaque when the job is complete (an AMG tradition). This beast develops a majestic 577 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque.

A 9-speed automatic transmission is found in each variant; the AMG version is tuned for quicker shifts and to cope with the greater forces. Drive goes to all four wheels and the transmission includes a high-range/low-range transfer case.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new-vehicle warranty on a 2025 G-Class lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. The powertrain has the same arrangement. This is typical coverage among European luxury vehicles.

Safety Ratings

The G-Class hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States, but it did earn a maximum overall score of five stars from the European safety test program, Euro NCAP.