Driving the G Wagon – Dallas Voice

The Mercedes-Benz G550 (2024) is absolutely ridiculous – and enchantingly gorgeous

CASEY WILLIAMS | Car Reviewer
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The Mercedes-Benz G550 is ridiculous! Originally introduced 45 years ago as a military-grade off-road vehicle, it looks like a Jeep, pampers like an S-Class and costs more than a Maybach.

It has steel loading plates on the roof, for heaven’s sake!

G-Wagens have been popular with celebrities like Cindy Crawford and Tina Turner. One was even worn by the Pope. But what does my family think?

We’re on our way to a luxury inn two hours away to spend the Memorial Day holiday and find out.

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2024 Mercedes Benz G550
SUV with four-wheel drive and space for five passengers
Drivetrain: 4.0-litre TTV8, 9-speed gearbox
Output: 416 hp/550 Nm torque
Front/rear suspension: Adaptive Ind/Ind
Wheels front/rear: 18 inch/18 inch alloy wheels
Brakes front/rear: Disc/Disc
0-60 mph: 5.6 seconds
Fuel consumption: 13/26 mpg city/highway
Assembly: Graz, Austria
Base price/test price: $143,000/$188,650

Likes
• Lovable charm
• Hedonistic comfort
• Twin-turbo V8
Dislike
• Telephone connections
• Fuel consumption
• Breathtaking price

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The G550 looks like the cargo container that an EQE electric crossover rides in. But it shines with round LED headlights, matte black 18-inch wheels, black logos and a rear-mounted spare tire. My eyes flutter in disbelief as we toss our weekend luggage and drinks onto the cherry wood floor of the cargo area. We lock the safe with a yank and walk around the front area.

The flat doors open to reveal opulence glorified by Nappa leather, dual screens, ash wood and the smell of wealth. My daughter conjures up “The 10 Spot” on the satellite radio, opens the sunroof and rocks out to the deep sounds of the Bermester audio system. It’s pretty sweet.

There’s no wireless Apple CarPlay and I can only find old-fashioned USB-B ports, so connecting my new iPhone is tricky. My daughter doesn’t mind when she discovers our heated and ventilated seats with massage function. I also have a heated steering wheel.

It will be a good trip.

The navigation takes us out of our neighborhood, along city streets, and onto the highway. It’s been 22 years since I last drove a G-Wagen. It looks the same, but is a bit wider to better withstand side impacts. It also has independent front suspension, rack and pinion steering, and air suspension.

In case we hit a goat, we still have three locking differentials. Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and blind spot warning systems protect our flanks.

It’s surprisingly great on the highway, but soon we’re driving along narrow two-lane roads to the state park. This isn’t a vehicle you just throw into a corner. This witch will twitch if you go in too fast, but if you drive her with respect, she won’t embarrass her owner. She simply pulverizes the rough asphalt while the occupants float on an electronically controlled cushion of air.

I have to laugh when I climb into the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine with 416 hp, which transmits its power to the four-wheel drive via a 9-speed automatic transmission. It masters short straights in no time and throws its sensual luxury from curve to curve with indecent power.

There’s always a yearning rumble beneath your feet, but be prepared for 13/16 MPG in city/highway driving.

Finally arriving at our destination, the G550 looks completely natural lurking through the woods and resting outside the inn. It’s exactly the kind of ride you should take to a rustic inn, as it gets you there in comfort and welcomes adventure. You feel the inherent tight maneuverability and excellent visibility of off-roading excel even in tight garages.

It’s all a bit strange. Closing the door sounds like an S-Class from 1970: ding! The engine is reminiscent of an AMG: roar! It tilts in curves, but the chassis is impressive: wobbly!

It’s all so adorable.

I watch my daughter as we drive to a nearby cafe, rocking out with the wind in her hair and looking like a YouTube influencer. She grins at me, “Great!” I think that means the G550 meets her approval.

And it should. The G550 starts at $143,000, but two packages with massage seats, leather-covered dashboard, black logos and cherry wood flooring add almost $38,000! In total, this example costs $188,650 – more than a Maybach GLS SUV with three rows of seats.

But I suspect that unlike the vehicles they lease and then throw away, owners will keep and cherish their G550.

Storm forward!

Send comments to Casey at [email protected]; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.