New Mercedes G-Class revealed: facelifted SUV retains brick-like appearance
March 27, 2024 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
This is the new Mercedes G-Class, although you’d be hard pushed to tell. It retains the retro styling, but there’s a whole host of new technology on board. Read on for all you need to know.
- New Mercedes G-Class revealed
- Mid-life update for rugged SUV
- Very minor styling changes
- New engine options
- More power for the G63
- Improved off-road tech
- Tweaked interior options
Mercedes has fettled its G-Class SUV for 2024, giving it some new technology, updated engines and a tweaked interior. The Land Rover Defender alternative may look almost exactly the same as before, however the brand has made an effort to make it slightly more aerodynamic.
New Mercedes G-class design
Who fancies a game of spot the difference? This will be a particularly hard one, because the updated Mercedes G-Wagon looks almost exactly the same as the car it replaces.
Starting up front, you’ll find a slightly revised bumper with some new air intakes, and the grille has been tweaked as well. The A-pillar also has some new cladding to help channel air around the car.
Moving down the side, the G-Glass still looks like a rolling brick. This has always been the charm of the G Wagon though, with it retaining the same retro vibe as the original car from the 70s but with a modern twist. All versions come with 20-inch alloy wheels, apart from the sporty AMG G63 which has 22s. More on that car in a bit.
Spotting the changes to the rear is made tricky by the fact there are none. Not even the rear bumper has been altered, leaving the G-Class with the same slightly agricultural look it’s always had.
New Mercedes G-Class engines and power
Changes under the bonnet are slightly more significant, with the introduction of a 3.0-litre straight-six engine to the range. It replaces the V8 engine which used to live in the G500, and it puts out 449hp, which is actually 20hp more than the old eight-cylinder.
Those with their sensible head on may be drawn towards the diesel-powered G450d, featuring a 3.0-litre six-cylinder oil-burner with 367hp. However the G-Class isn’t traditionally a car bought with fuel economy in mind.
But what about the AMG G63?
Don’t worry, Mercedes hasn’t forgotten about the AMG G63 with this update. It’s been treated to a similar lack of styling tweaks as the standard car, with changes limited to a revised front bumper and some new alloy wheels, however it has been given some more power.
Check out Mat’s in-depth review of the current G63…
This sporty SUV does still have the same 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine shoehorned under the bonnet, but it now puts out 585hp. That’s 20hp more than before. The boost in horses comes courtesy of a mild hybrid system, which incorporates a small electric motor inside the gearbox.
The result of this fettling is a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds. Pretty quick for such a large car, but the new Range Rover Sport SV can complete the same sprint in 3.6 seconds.
Can it still go off road?
In short, yes. The Mercedes G-Class still uses an old-fashioned ladder frame chassis, meaning it can have more suspension travel than some other SUVs which use a monocoque construction.
Mercedes has also added driving modes to optimise the car for different conditions. You can choose between rock, sand and trail modes which adjust the traction control and suspension to keep you rolling on the rough stuff.
Also new for this updated G-Class is the off-road cockpit, comprising a series of tiles on the infotainment screen which can be customised to show you things like your steering angle, altitude and compass. Then there’s the transparent bonnet.
This doesn’t mean the bonnet is made of glass, what it actually does is allow you to see what’s underneath the car using a suite of cameras around the car. It makes the bonnet appear transparent on the screen so you can keep an eye out for any pointy rocks or tree stumps.
New Mercedes G-Class interior
At a quick glance, the new G-Class’ interior looks pretty much unchanged. You still get two 12.3-inch screens across the dashboard, and it still has the same squared-off design as before.
The main difference is the new steering wheel, which is lifted out of other Mercedes models, and there are some more customisation options for the trim and colours.
When can I buy the new Mercedes G-Class?
The new Mercedes G-Class is available to order now, with prices starting from £136,570. That’s slightly dearer than the car it replaces, but that’s to be expected with the added tech on board.
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