The 2020 Mercedes Benz G Class remains an icon

The Mercedes G Class is a car that’s instantly recognised. Also known as the G Wagon, the G Class has become something of an icon since it was first introduced back in the 80s. Its boxy, army service looks and sheer size has made this car something of a status symbol. This help explain why it has become so popular in celebrity circles.

Here in the UK the latest G Class comes with two suitable powerful engines. The slightly more sensible of the two is a 3.0 litre diesel that’s been badged the G350d while the flagship G63 uses a faintly incredible 577 brake horse power (bhp) 4.0 litre petrol engine.

As you’d expect from a car that starts at just under £100k and has the Mercedes badge on the nose the inside of the G Class is a mix of the latest technology, classy design, comfort and luxury. There’s a twin-screen setup on the dashboard, which you’ll also find on the 2020 Mercedes Benz A Class, that provides digital dials and an infotainment system for the driver. The classy Merc turbine air vents are also present. Leather seats, ambient lighting and a wealth of soft-touch materials make the inside of the G Class even more luxurious than the exterior design might suggest.

While the G Class may not be great for pragmatic concerns like wind noise and economy there’s no escaping the fact that the design of the G Class has made it a distinctive and iconic car. There’s nothing else on the road that looks like it while its square lines and flat blunt lines give it a unique road presence. It really does feel different to anything else the moment you open the door and hop in. Not everyone likes the brash and brutish shape but at a time when many new cars look very similar it’s great to have such an unusual car on the road. However, there is a reason why almost all modern cars look like this. Forcing a flat-fronted square car through air at high speed isn’t good for efficiency or refinement. On the motorway the wind noise is noticeably louder than in other cars and this is despite a vey will built comfortable interior.

The flagship G63 version of the G Class has a glorious 577 bhp 4 litre twin-turbo petrol engine that provides this 2.5 tonne SUV with a 0 to 62 mile per hour (mph) time of just 4.5 seconds. Not only does the G Class go absurdly quick in a straight line but the engine also provides a glorious sound-track with the help of some rather cool side exiting exhausts. The G Class is certainly not an economical car. It’s big, heavy and powerful and even the relatively rational diesel 350d unit is only officially capable of 29.4 miles to the gallon (mpg). The G63 is considered by many to represent the full G Wagon experience. However, that 577 bhp engine was designed primarily for power and not planet-saving. The major clue is a real-world economy figure that can dip into single digits, even if the official economy figure is 21.4 mpg.

While the G Class may often be spotted crawling around city centres rather than over fields it’s a car that’s still very capable off road. The car’s air suspension has a specific off-road mode that combines locking differentials and a low ratio in the gearbox that helps the car navigate rough terrain and deep water. The big bling wheels may suggest music videos rather than muddy tracks but this is a car that remains a very competent off roader.

So there you have it, a quick summary of the G Class. It’s a distinctive motoring icon which is available with two powerful engines. One of which makes it so fast it’s scarcely believable. However, both units are expensive and uneconomical. The 577 bhp G63 model is a practical, luxurious and seriously high-performance SUV while the G350d diesel exists as a more pragmatic and sensible version. Check out the used Mercedes Benz G Class cars for sale we have available on the DesperateSeller.co.uk website for the one that suits you.