The G-Class became an icon through consistency. Launched in 1979, the Geländewagen employs a similar formula to the one that has kept the Porsche 911 relevant for over seven decades. Rather than implementing revolutionary changes between generations, it leans on evolutionary ones. Although it has undoubtedly become more luxurious since the late 1970s, the G-Class centers around a particular aesthetic and driving experience, which, despite significant tweaks, still endures.
The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G550 I’m driving this week follows this formula almost perfectly. It’s the least expensive G-Class for the U.S. market, sitting below the all-electric G580 and the range-topping G63 by AMG. Still, with a $149,400 base price and this tester’s $181,000 out-the-door figure, it retains much of its predecessor’s look and feel but at an elevated price point.
Typically, this wouldn’t be an issue for a vehicle built exclusively to serve a group of well-off diehard fans. However, one major update introduced for the latest G550 is the substitution of its twin-turbocharged V8 with an electrified inline-six. This swap detracts from one of the G’s core tenets: its rumbly engine note. While the new powerplant is more powerful and efficient than the one it replaces, it’s also far quieter. It’s effectively non-existent in most driving scenarios. And if that’s the case, why not go all-in with the fully-electric G580?
From an aesthetic perspective, the new Mercedes-Benz G550 may be a case of the same, same, but different, but that’s a feature, not a fault. If you squint, you can tell that this off-roader features new front and rear bumpers, as well as a grille adorned with four horizontal louvers. In contrast, its predecessor had to make do with just three. Mercedes redesigned its air inlets to incorporate a square-off design with rounded edges, and its rear-view camera now sits above its license plate. That’s it.
For Geländewagen fans, this SUV retains its boxy shape, towering height, and overall aesthetic, which significantly contribute to its iconic status. Its door handles remain button-activated, making the same satisfying latching sound as they close. This tester features the optional $3,500 AMG Line package, which adds an upsized set of 20-inch wheels and flared wheel arches. This pairs nicely with the $3,250 Night Package that darkens its exterior trim. However, its highlight remains its $6,500 Manufaktur Deep Green paint, which, as you’ll soon learn, complements this SUV’s interior beautifully.
On the powertrain side, the latest Mercedes-Benz G550 introduces its most significant update: its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine. It develops 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque thanks in part to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that can contribute up to 20 hp and 148 lb-ft for brief moments. This output goes to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.
As impressive as this powertrain’s achievements are on paper, allowing a vehicle that weighs 5,534 pounds to still hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, it’s a great example of when more is less. The Geländewagen is defined by its ability to create a sense of occasion. Previously, this meant appreciating its boxy aesthetic as you approach, slamming its door, hearing its world-class latching sound, and listening out for its burbly engine note as it comes to life. That’s no longer true if you don’t shell out for the flagship G63.
Instead, what greets you is an engine note that’s quiet and uninspiring. It’s the noise you’d expect from an E-Class at less than half the price. Still, once you consider this truck’s $181,000 as-tested figure, its engine makes an otherwise expensive luxury vehicle feel decidedly less so.
Thankfully, this new inline-six is willing to perform. It offers ample torque throughout its rev range, and because it relies on a mild-hybrid system, it’s responsive. It is almost entirely undetectable at highway speeds and has the benefit of increased fuel efficiency. The nine-speed auto is mated to shift both quickly and smoothly, while its standard brakes remain plenty powerful to consistently slow this tall and hefty SUV.
Like its predecessors, the Mercedes-Benz G550 remains a proper off-roader first. It still rides on a ladder frame, incorporates three locking differentials, and its transfer case sends 40 percent of its output to its front wheels and the remaining 60 percent to the pair in the rear. From a suspension standpoint, the G550 counts on double wishbones up front and a solid rear axle. It pairs springs with adaptive dampers in contrast to the G580’s plush air suspension setup.
A new Offroad Cockpit consolidates vital readouts, including incline data, into a single screen, while a forward-facing camera provides a clear view of the trail ahead.
The on-road refinement improvements introduced for this latest G-Class generation are immediately noticeable. The G550 soaks up road imperfections well without excessive body motions. While it lacks the active roll stabilization available for the G63, it can tackle bends confidently without considerable lean. It’s perfectly damped for cruising at highway speeds, and thanks to its extensive isolation, it creates an in-cabin experience that isn’t interrupted by unwanted road and wind noise.
A significant contributing factor to this tester’s high as-tested price is its $13,250 Manufaktur Interior Package Plus. Aside from adorning the front row with a pair of Active Multicontour seats, this option covers this SUV’s cabin almost entirely with Nappa leather and extensive stitching. This tester takes the opportunity to cover its seats, door cards, and two-tone steering wheel in tan leather. This shade pairs nicely with its dark green exterior.
More importantly, this package goes a long way to making the Mercedes-Benz G550 feel every bit as expensive as it is. Practically every surface you interact with is covered in leather, and aside from the touch-sensitive buttons on its steering wheel, this interior incorporates as little plastic as possible. While its wheel controls may be cumbersome, you can still control core functions, such as this SUV’s climate control, through physical switches on the dashboard.
On the tech side, the G550 features twin 12.3-inch digital instrument clusters and infotainment screens, both running the latest version of its MBUX software. Not much has changed on this front, so the system will feel quite familiar if you’ve interacted with other Mercedes-Benz products introduced in recent years.
For 2025, the Mercedes-Benz G550 starts at $149,400. Factor in all of its optional extras, costing an as-tested $181,000. Although these figures represent a modest increase over the outgoing G550, it simultaneously places the “entry-level” Geländewagen within striking distance of its electrified twin. For context, earlier this year, the G580 I tester carried an as-tested price of $192,690 ($162,650 base price).
Yet, during my week with the G550, I couldn’t help but think about the G580. While I can’t yet speak for the new G63, the electric G-Class is impressive despite being a first-generation product. Given that you can no longer get a V8 engine in an SUV without an AMG badge in the rear, why not instead go all in with an off-roader that’s even more capable due to its clever use of its electric motors, better-riding thanks in part to the weight added by its battery pack, and developing 579 hp and 859 lb-ft, far quicker too?
The Geländewagen is undeniably an automotive icon. From its distinct aesthetic to its tall stature and its opulent yet sturdy cabin, its fans return because, in part, they know they’ll be met with a tweaked version of an experience that remains unique. However, by removing its much-loved rumbling engine note, the new G550 might be more impressive on paper than ever, but in practice, it takes one crucial step back.