New 2008 Mercedes-Benz G Safety Review [ 2009 , 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 27 G reviews and test drives.
Mercedes-Benz G Safety Review
Safety - NA
The 2008 Mercedes G-Class boasts a complete range of safety equipment, including front and rear head air bags, but it lacks side airbags, a common safety feature in most luxury SUVs. It has not yet been rated in government or insurance industry crash tests.
Accident Avoidance
The 2008 Mercedes G-Class has a number of standard accident avoidance features, including Rear Park Assist, which uses ultrasonic sensors help detect nearby obstacles behind the vehicle at parking speeds; Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which compares the driver's intended course to the vehicle's response and then automatically corrects understeer or oversteer; and traction control, which detects wheel slip and applies the brakes or engine power as needed.
Crash Protection
The 2008 Mercedes G-Class comes standard with an Integrated Restraint System that provides the driver and front passenger each with a front air bag and a three-point seat belt with height-adjustable shoulder belt and Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD). Rear passengers are provided with three-point seat belts, including height-adjustable outboard shoulder belts. However, the G-Class lacks side air bags.
The sturdy structure of the G- Class itself also serves as crash protection. Kelley Blue Book comments that "the vehicle's remarkable robustness, with thicker-than-average sheet metal and hand-built construction, has allowed [earlier models] to sail through every government crash test with flying colors." The G-Class includes the Tele-Aid system, which will contact an emergency response specialist in case one is needed. Rescue teams can then be dispatched to the vehicle's satellite-pinpointed location. MSN points out that it also "helps make hotel reservations -- presumably only at the very best places."