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2008 Mercedes-Benz G Class Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Mercedes-Benz G-Class to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information.

Likes:

  • Rugged styling
  • Extreme off-road capability

Dislikes:

  • Dismal fuel economy
  • Seats only five passengers
  • Lunar price tag

Buying Tips:


If you're shopping for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, you don't need much advice on making or saving money. Just try not to drive over other SUVs on the way out of the dealer parking lot, perhaps?

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is derived from a design for military vehicles. The flat sides, the nearly vertical windshield, and the ultra-boxy shape is wonderfully retro--a reminder of the days when sport-utility vehicles were few and far between. The interior styling is similarly Spartan, but trimmed with a little wood.

Both the 292-horsepower Mercedes-Benz G500 and the 493-hp G55 AMG use V-8 power to push this ute's barn-door aerodynamics through the air. A seven-speed automatic helps the less powerful version accelerate to 60 mph in about 8 seconds. The AMG version's high-torque five-speed automatic is slightly more brutish--and right in character. With it, the big V-8 achieves a dismal 11/13 mpg, while the smaller V-8 manages 12/15 mpg.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class's top-heavy ride requires your full attention on-road; the tall profile makes it susceptible to crosswinds, and it tends to wander a good deal at speeds over 60 mph. You won't have one hand on the wheel, the other working a cell phone or fiddling with the radio while driving this vehicle. Its gas pedal and steering are also heavy and make you work. In exchange, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class offers the kind of extreme off-road capability that's proven useful for everyone from the Shah of Iran to Shaquille O'Neal. An automatic four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking differentials and low-range gearing is standard.
Anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution and stability control are also standard in the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, as are curtain airbags.

Both G-Class models sport a rearview camera, a hands-free phone system, a navigation system, and multicontour power leather seats. A Bluetooth wireless interface and special-order paint and trim are optional, but there's no American-style DVD entertainment system. The price? A mere $88,000, or more than $110,000 for the AMG edition.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also consider:

Reason Why:

Few vehicles have the off-road reputation of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The Land Rover Range Rover is one; also like the G-Class, it has a breathtaking price tag to go with its legendary capability. The Toyota Land Cruiser is substantially less expensive but no less talented, though it is finished more inexpensively.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class climbs rocks the old-fashioned way, with the looks to match.

TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Mercedes-Benz G-Class to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more impressions and details, and to provide you with the best information. Likes:Rugged stylingExtreme off-road capabilityDislikes:Dismal fuel economySeats only five passengersLunar price tagBuying Tips: If you're shopping for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, you don't need much advice on making or saving money. Just try not to drive over other SUVs on the way out of the dealer parking lot, perhaps? The 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is derived from a design for military vehicles. The flat sides, the nearly vertical windshield, and the ultra-boxy shape is wonderfully retro--a reminder of the days when sport-utility vehicles were few and far between. The interior styling is similarly Spartan, but trimmed with a little wood. Both the 292-horsepower Mercedes-Benz G500 and the 493-hp G55 AMG use V-8 power to push this ute's barn-door aerodynamics through the air. A seven-speed automatic helps the less powerful version accelerate to 60 mph in about 8 seconds. The AMG version's high-torque five-speed automatic is slightly more brutish--and right in character. With it, the big V-8 achieves a dismal 11/13 mpg, while the smaller V-8 manages 12/15 mpg. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class's top-heavy ride requires your full attention on-road; the tall profile makes it susceptible to crosswinds, and it tends to wander a good deal at speeds over 60 mph. You won't have one hand on the wheel, the other working a cell phone or fiddling with the radio while driving this vehicle. Its gas pedal and steering are also heavy and make you work. In exchange, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class offers the kind of extreme off-road capability that's proven useful for everyone from the Shah of Iran to Shaquille O'Neal. An automatic four-wheel-drive system with electronic locking differentials and low-range gearing is standard. Anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution and stability control are also standard in the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, as are curtain airbags. Both G-Class models sport a rearview camera, a hands-free phone system, a navigation system, and multicontour power leather seats. A Bluetooth wireless interface and special-order paint and trim are optional, but there's no American-style DVD entertainment system. The price? A mere $88,000, or more than $110,000 for the AMG edition. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, also consider:Land Rover Range RoverToyota Land CruiserReason Why:Few vehicles have the off-road reputation of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The Land Rover Range Rover is one; also like the G-Class, it has a breathtaking price tag to go with its legendary capability. The Toyota Land Cruiser is substantially less expensive but no less talented, though it is finished more inexpensively. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class climbs rocks the old-fashioned way, with the looks to match. TheCarConnection.com's editors researched a wide range of road tests of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class to write this definitive review. TheCarConnection.com's resident experts also drove the Mercedes-Benz G-Class to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, to add more ...

Other Choices:

Few vehicles have the off-road reputation of the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The Land Rover Range Rover is one; also like the G-Class, it has a breathtaking price tag to go with its legendary capability. The Toyota Land Cruiser is substantially less expensive but no less talented, though it is finished more inexpensively.

Next Steps:

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for the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G Class

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for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G Class near you

See the Mercedes-Benz G Class in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

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