2020 Mercedes-Benz G550 | Review

Jeff Glucker

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The 2020 Mercedes-Benz G550 is touted as both luxurious and one of the world’s best off-road machines. Does it live up to the hype on either end? Oh yes.

We took the MB G550 for a drive on our local trails and the fancy truck performed flawlessly. And it should with a starting price of $130,000 (and as-tested at $151,000). Is the G-Class the king of the hill when it comes to luxury off-road vehicles? Absolutely.

[Disclaimer: Mercedes-Benz tossed us the keys to the 2020 G550 and included a tank of fuel.]

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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3 responses to “2020 Mercedes-Benz G550 | Review”

  1. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Wow… the drone footage in this video is gorgeous. I’m jealous of your proximity to good trails with such great views.

    Like you, I think I would have a hard time criticizing this vehicle. If anything, I’m just a little pissed about the celebrity influence on the G-Wagen image. I don’t like ostentatious vehicles, and while fundamentally this one’s pretty basic in appearance, the Kardashians et. al. have turned it into a status symbol. In doing so, its allure (to me) has been diminished.

    As practical nitpicking goes, I’m not sure I like the greenhouse on this truck, at least from watching this video. Does it feel as claustrophobic as it appears? The awesome tank-like vibe on the outside seems to be complimented with a closed-in tank-like feeling inside.

    And I can’t help wondering– as good as its bones are– how low the price might be by deleting the frills and retaining only the elements that make it good on- and off-road. I was thinking M-B might offer some lower-hanging fruit to its domestic market, but the base diesels there start just under $120k. How does the admittedly stellar G550 stack up against a Jeep Rubicon Unlimited, bang-for-buck wise? If the upcoming Bronco manages to be 90% of the G at 30% the cost, I can’t see me being very tempted by something like this anymore, even if I still admire it.

    Reply
  2. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    Wow… the drone footage in this video is gorgeous. I’m jealous of your proximity to good trails with such great views.

    Like you, I think I would have a hard time criticizing this vehicle. If anything, I’m just a little pissed about the celebrity influence on the G-Wagen image. I don’t like ostentatious vehicles, and while fundamentally this one’s pretty basic in appearance, the Kardashians et. al. have turned it into a status symbol. In doing so, its allure (to me) has been diminished.

    As practical nitpicking goes, I’m not sure I like the greenhouse on this truck, at least from watching this video. Does it feel as claustrophobic as it appears? The awesome tank-like vibe on the outside seems to be complimented with a closed-in tank-like feeling inside.

    And I can’t help wondering– as good as its bones are– how low the price might be by deleting the frills and retaining only the elements that make it good on- and off-road. I was thinking M-B might offer some lower-hanging fruit to its domestic market, but the base diesels there start just under $120k. How does the admittedly stellar G550 stack up against a Jeep Rubicon Unlimited, bang-for-buck wise? If the upcoming Bronco manages to be 90% of the G at 30% the cost, I can’t see me being very tempted by something like this anymore, even if I still admire it.

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      I never felt closed in when behind the wheel.

      I would love to see a bare-bones version of this truck, but MB has no need to make one sadly. But yes, the Wrangler Rubicon can go everywhere the G can go, and vice versa. You’ll be much more comfortable in one of them though, both off-road and on-road, but you’ll also have a lot less cash on hand.

      Reply