The G-Wagen (or Gelandewagen, in Mercedes parlance) stands out as an exceptional SUV. Originally created for military use and later made civilian friendly in 1979.
Over the decades it has undergone rigorous tests that would make most crossovers scurry back home like insects trapped in amber.
The Spare Wheel
G-Wagen owners find it hard to forget its rugged, go-anywhere capabilities. A vehicle like this usually displays its spare wheel with pride – an indication of its rugged roots.
Mercedes has over time refined the G-Wagen to meet affluent, town and country buyers’ demands, evolving it to meet these needs more directly. Today’s G-Wagen features more road-focused amenities as well as increased body lean when cornering and an unpredictable ride over bumpy roads, leading to higher interior noise levels than previously available.
Although compromises exist within G-Wagen models, recent ones have improved reliability significantly. Canadian buyers should avoid early 2000s models due to their susceptibility to electronics and sensor issues that could erode dependability; 2002 model year G-Wagens have earned high praise from owners and enthusiasts as an ideal compromise between old-school ruggedness and incremental advances like interior technology.
The Three-Louvre Radiator Grille
Mercedes G-Class (affectionately referred to as “G”) has long been recognized for its durability, turning heads, churning through mud and even transporting Pope John Paul II for four decades. Few modern cars can boast such an accomplished history as this rugged workhorse – circumnavigating the globe twice under Jackie Ickx and winning Paris-Dakar Rally both times and transporting one of history’s most revered cargo: Pope.
As legendary as Mercedes’ G-Wagens are, older ones do present some reliability challenges. Rust can be an issue; those without their corrosion protection systems could succumb to corrosion more readily than ever before. Recently however, Mercedes has made strides to improve on-road refinement and safety; meaning a modern G-Wagen may even better suit daily life than before!
The Upright Windscreen
The G-Wagen’s iconic upright windscreen and squared-off body work isn’t simply aesthetics: its design maximizes interior space while offering great visibility on off-road adventures. As such, this iconic design remains popular even today.
Though attractive in appearance, the G-Wagen is far from being an inexpensive car. Starting at about $90,000.000 it reaches six figures easily making it more of a status symbol than anything like Hummers or 2023 Range Rovers that tried to replace them.
The G-Wagen stands out among Mercedes SUVs as being particularly capable of off-road performance, and one of its latest models can even traverse snow, mud and sand with ease thanks to portal axles and off-road tires. Furthermore, these axles can raise the vehicle above where its wheels attach to its chassis allowing access to areas most other SUVs cannot.
The Squared-Off Body
The G-Wagen has not changed drastically since its 1979 debut, which may explain its appeal among both military personnel and urbanites alike. It looks great whether traversing jungle terrain or parking outside Harvey Nichols.
Like its more luxurious competitors (ML-class), it was built for ruggedness and functionality from the outset. Even when Mercedes added luxurious elements (such as wood trim, leather seats and anti-lock brakes) they did so without impacting its ability to traverse German coalfields or Sahara desert terrain.
At its heart, the G-Wagen’s most significant transformation came courtesy of its primary customer – back in the 1970s when its original customer, the Shah of Iran tasked Mercedes – one of Germany’s bastions of automotive luxury – with creating a functional 4×4. Their designers responded positively, opting for boxy lines instead of curvier ones and giving it its distinctive profile that still exists today when INKAS armored G-Wagens roll down roads around Europe and elsewhere.
