Being essentially a military vehicle (the Australian army bought 600 by the way after a very tough trials process) but having very acceptable driving characteristics with old-school Mercedes reliability makes it unique. And cool.
Nice review. I traded my AMG GTS for a G 550 because I got a dog and a divorce so I felt like I needed something more practical. At first, being used to a sports car's speed and handling, I just wasn't all that crazy about it...but I've really grown to love it. I don't have to worry about pot holes any longer, bent rims, curb rash, etc. It's also not as big a vehicle as it may seem. My GTS was wider. I think it's just a fun car to drive because it really is old school. Everything about it feels that way. It really feels like a truck. It's a quirky throw back that I enjoy. My beef with it is the turning radius is terrible...and the gas mileage is absurd. Living in a big city, though, I really don't drive often enough to feel like it's a big deal. This is definitely not the car you want to use as a daily commuter. It's too expensive, but life is short and you can't take it with you, so I feel like I may as well enjoy what I drive while I'm alive.
18:46 are you seriously thinking a landcruiser is a more street car, not as durable and off-road worthy as a g wagon?(the g wagon is only a hair better offroader). If so that means you have no idea what is an offroader.
Mercedes must be making a killing on this since they never had to re-design this thing and it must be cheap to manufacture since it's such a simple design.
Love the cool factor but the chassis is so outdated. It handles terrible on and off road, it's not safe by modern safety standards and it is not comfortable nor high tech
Such idiotic comments below, thinking this is a REVIEW of the 2019 G550. The car was just revealed last month at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. Alex would need a time machine. Or get sponsored to go to Europe where it will be released first.
Yeah, the 2019 and newer is miles better than this 2018, especially in terms of interior quality and features. The best part of it is that Mercedes didn't change the styling too much that it becomes no longer recognizable as a Gwagon.
I’m sorry Alex. Land cruiser is built to last 25 years in a third world nation. Meaning it’s very durable. Saying a land cruiser is not as durable because makes no sense. Just because this vehicle looks durable does not make it any more durable than a land cruiser. Look at Africa, Australia, Middle East...there are tons of 70s 80s series still on the road. You don’t see any old g wagon. There is a video on RU-vid where 4 out of 5 g wagon shock are ruined after a day of correlation driving in the outback of Australia.
Alex on Autos You can find all 3 currently in production Land Cruisers in the Middle East at least in Dubai. America gets both modern Land Cruisers under Lexus. The Lexus GX 460 is the more luxurious equivalent of the Land Cruiser Prado J150. They just don't sell the J70 in the US anymore, which is nearly as old as the G Class, unlike the G however its price makes sense.
Agree 100%. In Africa, the Land Cruiser is, by far, the most common off road (safari) vehicle. Land Rover's are seen less and less these days because the Toyota's are more reliable and tougher vehicles. Of course, they look completely different in the bush of South Africa than the ones at the grocery store here in America.
Came to read the foolish comments from goofs saying this thing is out of date and old and looks like garbage. These folks just don't get it. The looks are the point, classic rugged and sold abilities. This is thing is a work of art.
Im glad you made the comparison to the wrangler at the end. The wrangler may not compete in the same price range, but its the only real competitor in spirit. They both have similar origins, similar styling, and are purchased by people who want a traditional, purpose built off-roader (regardless if they use it to its full potential).
Alex, with your level of knowledge on all vehicular subjects, it was good that you took this rig offroad. Would be even more enjoyable if you did some more complex obstacles (of course without disturbing the Mercedes people)
Very good review. I would add one feature since I've ridden in my friend's G63: The view out is amazing. The A pillars are thin and the vertical windshield is very tall, so it feels very panoramic.
Are we ready to acknowledge that the G wagon is just a wrangler with heated seats yet? In fact, Jeep has now started to adopt the amazing "base model feature" set of their Dodge counterparts so EVERY car comes with heated seats and steering wheel, in addition to a HEMI V8 that is so fast you won't believe it's a rental car. It's hard to make the argument that the Gwagon offers anything special any more. It's a toy and you're welcome to spend your money on toys if you'd like to. But it's no longer "the best or nothing" for that get a GLE400 from 2016, or a GL550 from 2014. :)
I know some people just think this is the CATS MEOW but it’s all STATIS and rediculous waste of money that could be used to help so many other people. This shows me nothing!
Let's be honest Alex really who really drives this vehicle , they never use it off road and it holds shopping bags from Gucci. It's just a symbol for Beverly Hills. So having locking diffs etc just makes me laugh.
Good looks however, visible door screws, no panoramic roof etc for that price? Yet another status symbol for those like the crazy Kardashians as opposed to a typical middle class family.
I've always wished MB would have placed the spare wheel under the cargo floor, and offered a split hatch/tailgate for perching upon at the campsite. That swing-out rear door is no friend to parallel parking spots. A pano-roof wouldn't go amiss, either, considering the cost and that few actually tromp through the jungles, anyway. The 2019 Glendewagon's interior is much improved. I'd have one (lottery permitting).
Biggest reason I would not choose a Range Rover over this is due to the standard oversized wheels and low profile tires on the Range Rover. An SUV is supposed to look offroad able, not anything else.
Alex, would you be able to do a Mazda 6 2018 turbo review anytime soon? I'm eagerly waiting for that as I only trust your reviews. I'm sure it would be much easier to convince Mazda than Mercedes :)!
Hey Alex The usual end-of-video pricing info didn't show for me this time. But maybe it's on my end. Just a heads up in case it isn't. Thanks for the detailed review as usual.
One of the most popular cars at the LA Auto Show last year. Quite a machine. And not a single person there if they could afford it would take advantage of it's capabilities. It's all about exclusivity and ego.
G wagons use to be everywhere, now i see one or two on the road every 5+minute. rubicons with mods are way nicer then any G wagon. it looks like most of the rich folks moved on to high end range rovers, bentayga and other suvs like the gls 63 etc... they stopped being cool once everyone started driving them. most people don't to care and its all about being trendy.
This G Wagon is a pure status symbol. I can guarantee that you will most likely never see one going off road unless owners clip the corner of their manicured lawns backing out of their driveways. On my Douchebag Scale, the G ranks just below the Hummer H1 (well, any Hummer model actually). Seriously, no one is impressed if you drive either one.
Mgoblagulkablong , the redesigned model is yet to be available in the United States. Unless you are willing to sponsor Alex to Europe,keep quiet and enjoy the video.
But it will be soon. That's exactly the point. Just wait until it's available and review that version. Duh. Normally, you don't see reviewers review an old version that is just about to be replaced with a brand new version. Alex didn't review the old Accord right before the new Accord. Alex didn't review the old ES just before the new ES. Alex didn't review the old LS just before the new LS. Alex didn't review the old Avalon just before the new Avalon, etc., etc.
