The iconic G-Class gets its most significant update yet. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is the automotive equivalent of, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's weird and wild, and there's nothing else quite like it. With a pedigree so storied, Mercedes knows it'd be foolish to muck things up with the G-Class.
Yet this brand-new model only shares five components with its predecessor. Aside from the headlight washers, door handles, sun visors, spare tire cover and some random bracket found deep in the internal structure, everything else is different. For a part-relic, part-icon like the G-Class, that's a really big deal. Driving through the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, between the cities of Perpignan and Carcassonne where the original G-Class was launched nearly 40 years ago, it all feels very The steering is sort of vague.
There's a wonderful burble from the side-mounted exhaust. An upright windshield sits not too far in front of me, providing a commanding view of the SUV's short, flat hood and chunky corner turn signals. It's an experience that's uniquely G-Wagen, and one that -- despite huge improvements in comfort, technology and drivability -- is still fully present. Though its outward appearance is unmistakably G-Class, every single body panel is new.
The doors, fenders and hood are now made from aluminum, which helps contribute to a pound weight savings versus the outgoing G. It's even more aerodynamic, believe it or not. The windshield has a slightly steeper rake, and the side windows have the tiniest bit of curvature to their shape. A lot of the G-Class' iconic design elements that would normally be scrubbed clean on a less recognizable model in the name of aerodynamics remain.
The exposed door hinges, the prominent protective strip along the body sides, the blocky turn signals fixed atop the hood -- they're all completely on point. Even the roof cap carries over, albeit with a bit more swoop to its shape. The biggest visual difference is undoubtedly up front, where the large, round headlights now have LED running lamp rings. And though the front brush guard is no longer standard equipment on US-spec G-Class models, you can option it for both the upper and lower fascias, in either the traditional chrome, or in black as part of a new Night Package.
