2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
MSRP: $88,200 - $111,900
Invoice: $82,026 - $104,067
MPG: 12 City / 15 Hwy
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U.S.News Scores

Overall:7.5
Performance:6.9
Exterior:8.4
Interior:8.0
Safety:NA
Reliability:8.0
Research we analyzed for this review
Pros and Cons
  • Superior off-road capabilities
  • Solid, heavy-duty construction
  • A bold, military-inspired look
  • Large number of standard comfort and safety features
  • More expensive than comparable vehicles in its class
  • Poor gas mileage for the class
  • Mediocre handling and body roll on highway
  • Lacks standard or optional side air bags

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Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Overall Score - 7.5 (Good)

The G-Class is a powerful SUV with superior off-roading capabilities and a large number of standard luxury and safety features. However, it has mediocre on-road drivability, doesn't offer side air bags, and carries a very high price tag.

According to most reviews, the G's major downfall (aside from its very high price tag) is its poor driving experience.  "Steering is slow and stiff and heavy feeling," says USA Today. "Parking the G-class, or guiding it through the shopping-cart assault at the mall, will be hard work." Critics praise the SUV's torque-y V8 engines, though some note that acceleration becomes sluggish at highway speeds. The G-Class's suspension is tuned for venturing into the wilderness, but several reviewers note that it's much too bouncy and stiff on the highway. And the G-Class's boxy military profile demonstrates both wind resistance and body roll.

For 2008, the G-Class remains relatively unchanged with the exception of a few interior enhancements. The base model G-Class vehicles have a wide array of standard features, from a premium stereo system to built-in GPS navigation. In fact, so many features are standard that there are no optional features available, with just about everything a driver could want already in the base model. Despite this, many reviewers feel that the G-Class is too expensive relative to other SUVs with the same features and better performance. IntelliChoice has not yet rated the 2008 G-Class, but gave the 2007 model "worse than average" value based on total cost of ownership compared to others in its class.

The G-Class comes in two trims -- the G500 and the more powerful G55 AMG -- which feature varying V8 engines.

G-Class Performance - 6.9 (Mediocre)

The 2008 Mercedes G-Class is a tough off-road vehicle that can go just about anywhere an SUV can go, but is awkward to drive on the highway, with a bouncy ride and sluggish acceleration on the base model. Read More

G-Class Exterior - 8.4 (Very Good)

The 2008 Mercedes Benz G Class has a distinctive look. "For boldness, we think it's hard to beat the standout looks of the G500," says Forbes, "since it will never be confused with anything else on the road." Read More

G-Class Interior - 8.0 (Very Good)

Despite its history as a military vehicle, Mercedes has done its best to create a luxurious interior in the 2008 G-Class, but most reviewers feel that the results are mixed.  Read More

G-Class 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. Read More

G-Class Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The Mercedes Benz G Class comes with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty. Read More

Review Last Updated: 3/12/09