Originally developed as a military off-roader 45 years ago, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has over the years morphed into a luxury SUV and status symbol.
Colloquially known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen, the boxy vehicle is reputed to be a favourite of hip-hop stars, and for those seeking the whole hog in terms of speed, status and sound — complete with side-exit exhausts for maximum spectacle — the range-topping AMG G63 is the beast of choice with its powerful but thirsty turbocharged V8 petrol engine. Very thirsty; the G63 we previously tested burned through an eye-watering 20.7l/100km on average.
The G400 diesel version on test here is the more sensible model. It is not as brash or belligerent as its petrol stablemate but retains the tough-guy character without sucking fuel like a cruise ship. During my week of driving on urban, freeway and gravel roads, the big diesel Benz returned an average of 11.9l/100km — not bad for a brick-shaped SUV that weighs 2.5 tonnes. With its 100l fuel tank, it promises a range of over 800km.
The respectable parsimony was accompanied by easy-going grunt, and with outputs of 243kW and 700Nm the 2.9l straight-six turbodiesel provided plenty of overtaking shove on the open road. The big lump accelerates from a standing start pretty smartly too with a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 6.4 seconds, and the lack of annoying turbo lag makes it a pleasant, fuss-free commuter.
The turbodiesel is a smooth runner that doesn’t have any agricultural engine note to betray that it’s an oil burner. The square shape and large exterior mirrors cause more wind noise than in smoother-shaped SUVs, but overall refinement is good.
The best part driving the G-class is its plush ride, impressive for a vehicle built on a ladder frame chassis. It felt very cushy in all road conditions and took rippled surfaces in its stride when we drove the dirt road between Dullstroom and Tonteldoos in Mpumalanga.
The bumpy gravel road did not challenge the Merc’s legendary off-road prowess. The vehicle’s elevated ground clearance and all-wheel drive sufficed to traverse the rough road and I didn’t need to use any of its three diff locks — one for the front wheels, one to connect the front wheels to the back wheels, and a third to control the speed of the back wheels.
The G-Class has adaptive suspension that can be made firmer in Sport mode, and there are also settings to adjust the responses of the steering, engine and automatic transmission. The tall-riding SUV makes no pretence at whisking through corners with car-like agility, but the steering feels reasonably sharp and helps make the G-Class feel respectably wieldy.
The model tested was a 45 Edition model with a Schöckl Design package that adds R316,000 to the base price of R3.39m. It includes Obsidian black paintwork with Schöckl front door sills, exterior protective strips and spare wheel cover. The name refers to the Schöckl mountain used as the G-Wagen’s off-road test track near the vehicle’s production facility in the Austrian city of Graz.
Vault-like doors on external hinges open onto a luxurious and hi-tech cabin that contrasts with the rugged-looking exterior, save for sturdy grab handles in the ceiling and dashboard for passengers to grasp during hardcore off-roading.
The digitised dashboard and ambient lighting are typical modern Mercedes fare, though the infotainment system is still controlled by a physical knob instead of the touch operation found in the newest cars bearing the triple-pointed star. The facelifted G-Class arriving in SA soon will have a touchscreen, and also boast more power from an upgraded diesel engine.
The cabin is a roomy five-seater with high-quality trimmings including metal finishes, open-pore ash wood and soft leather, and comforts include front seats with programmable massage functions, a high-end Burmester audio system, electric sunroof and 360 degree parking camera. The large 667l boot comfortably swallowed four peoples’ luggage, and the rear seats flip down to expand cargo space.
Adaptive high-beam LED headlights automatically illuminate the road without blinding other drivers, and other standard safety fare includes nine airbags, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist function is oversensitive at times but there is a button to disable it.
In a market crammed with slick aerodynamic SUVs, the Mercedes G-Class stands out with its rugged and boxy image. Under that tough exterior is a luxurious family SUV with the ability to tackle the harshest off-road terrain.
While the fire-spitting petrol Mercedes-AMG G63 hogs the limelight in the range and appeals to the inner rebel, it’s the G400d that makes the more left-brain choice with its frugal but gutsy diesel engine.
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