The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, an enduring symbol of off-road prowess and luxury, has been completely redesigned for 2019, marking a significant leap forward while staying true to its legendary heritage. This new iteration of the G-Class, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, demonstrates a remarkable blend of enhanced performance both on and off the road, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled comfort. It’s a vehicle meticulously crafted to exceed expectations in every domain, whether conquering challenging terrains or cruising city streets. Let’s delve into what makes this 2019 G-Class a true icon, reinvented for the modern driver.
The development team faced a monumental task: to refine an icon. As Dr. Gunnar Güthenke, Head of the Off-Road Product Group at Mercedes-Benz, stated, “Enhancing an icon such as the G-Class in technological terms was both a challenge and an opportunity at the same time. Each part and every bolt came under close scrutiny.” This dedication to detail is evident throughout the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, from its robust body structure to its luxurious interior. The focus was clear: to elevate the G-Class experience in every aspect, building upon its strengths while incorporating the latest advancements in automotive engineering and design.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class retains its iconic silhouette, a design language virtually unchanged since 1979, a testament to its timeless appeal and functional design. Key elements that define the G-Class’s unique character remain, serving both aesthetic and practical purposes. The distinctive door handles, the reassuringly solid closing sound of the doors, the robust exterior protective strip, the externally mounted spare wheel on the rear door, and the prominent indicator lights are all hallmarks that contribute to the vehicle’s unmistakable presence. These features, combined with the G-Class’s angular lines, create a look that is instantly recognizable and commands respect.
While the exterior design remains faithful to its heritage, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class embraces a philosophy of “Sensual Purity,” evident in its refined surfaces and enhanced details. The door hinges, still positioned externally, and the surface-mounted hood are carried over, reinforcing the vehicle’s rugged character. However, the overall design execution is more sophisticated, with tauter surfaces, increased tension in the lines, and an elevated level of surface quality. This results in narrower, more precise gaps and a more integrated appearance of the wheel arches and bumpers, giving the 2019 G-Class a more cohesive and premium feel. Importantly, the new G-Class has grown slightly, now 2.1 inches longer and 4.8 inches wider, enhancing its presence both on and off the road, and contributing to increased interior space.
Stepping inside the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class reveals a transformative redesign, a complete reimagining of the interior space that harmoniously blends classic G-Class DNA with modern luxury and technology. The interior design echoes the robust character of the exterior, seamlessly integrating off-road functionality with world-class luxury appointments. Every detail is meticulously crafted, using only the finest high-quality materials, showcasing Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to superior craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Design cues from the exterior are subtly incorporated into the interior. For example, the round headlamps inspire the shape of the side air vents, and the iconic indicator lights are reflected in the design of the loudspeakers. Signature G-Class elements, such as the grab handle in front of the front passenger seat and the chrome-highlighted switches for the three differential locks, have been meticulously optimized and retained as characteristic features, providing a sense of familiarity and connection to the G-Class legacy.
The instrument panel of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is completely redesigned, offering a clear and contemporary layout. Standard timeless tube-look analog round dials will appeal to traditionalists, while an optional widescreen cockpit, familiar from the E-Class and S-Class, is available. This option features two seamlessly integrated 12.3-inch displays beneath a bonded glass panel, creating a visually stunning and technologically advanced instrument cluster. Drivers can personalize the display with three different styles – “Classic,” “Sport,” and “Progressive” – and customize the information and views to their preferences. The system is controlled via a touchpad with controller in the center console, offering haptic and audible feedback, minimizing driver distraction. Shortcut keys and an optional control panel for driving assistance systems further enhance ease of use. The driver’s seating position is elevated, providing excellent all-around visibility, a hallmark of the G-Class driving experience.
The increased dimensions of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class directly translate to enhanced interior space for all occupants. Both front and rear passengers benefit from significantly more legroom, shoulder room, and elbow room, creating a more comfortable and spacious cabin. Specifically, rear legroom is increased by a substantial 5.9 inches (150 mm), making the second row a more accommodating space for passengers.
| Description | Difference (vs. previous gen) |
|---|---|
| Legroom in the front | +1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Legroom in the rear | +5.9 in (150 mm) |
| Shoulder room in front | +1.5 in (38 mm) |
| Shoulder room in rear | +1.1 in (27 mm) |
| Elbow room in front | +2.7 in (68 mm) |
| Elbow room in rear | +2.2 in (56 mm) |
The rear seats offer versatile folding options (60/40/100 percent), enhancing cargo flexibility. Standard seats are ergonomically designed for enhanced comfort and lateral support, featuring a Memory function for the driver’s seat, seat heating for both front and rear occupants, and luxury head restraints in the front. For ultimate comfort, the optional Active Multicontour Seat Package provides a range of features including massage functions, climate-controlled seats, rapid seat heating, and electrically adjustable lumbar supports. These seats, recommended by the German spinal health organization “Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V.”, also incorporate air chambers that dynamically adjust to driving conditions, providing optimal support during cornering and enhancing overall seating comfort.
Off-road capability remains at the heart of the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The development goal was to not only maintain but surpass the legendary off-road prowess of its predecessor, while simultaneously improving on-road handling. This has been achieved through a combination of advanced engineering and innovative technologies. The 2019 G-Class retains its robust ladder-type frame, three 100-percent differential locks, and LOW RANGE off-road gear reduction, solidifying its credentials as a true off-road vehicle.
A newly developed suspension system, a collaboration between Mercedes-Benz GmbH and Mercedes-AMG GmbH, is central to the enhanced performance. The 2019 G-Class features an independent suspension with a double-wishbone front axle and a rigid rear axle. This new front axle design is specifically engineered for the G-Class, ensuring both robust off-road performance and improved on-road dynamics. The components are directly mounted to the ladder-type frame without a subframe, and the lower wishbone’s attachment points are positioned as high as possible to maximize ground clearance, crucial for off-road driving.
The result of these engineering advancements is a 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class that boasts even greater off-road capabilities than its predecessor. With a ground clearance of 10.6 inches to the front axle gear, the G-Class is ready to tackle challenging terrains. The impressive off-road figures speak for themselves:
- Slope climbing ability of up to 100% on suitable surfaces
- Ground clearance between axles now 9.5 inches (+ 6 mm)
- Maximum fording depth now 27.6 inches (+3.9 inches)
- Breakover angle of 26° (+ 1°)
- Angle of departure: 30°, angle of approach: 31° (+ 1°)
The independent front suspension also contributes to increased body rigidity. A strut tower brace, or suspension bridge, connects the front strut towers, enhancing the torsional rigidity of the ladder-type frame and improving overall handling and stability. At the rear, the new rigid axle is controlled by four trailing arms on each side and a Panhard rod, enhancing both on-road comfort and off-road control.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class introduces DYNAMIC SELECT with up to five driving modes, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle’s characteristics to different driving conditions and preferences. At the touch of a button, DYNAMIC SELECT adjusts the engine, transmission, suspension, steering, and assistance systems. The available modes include “Comfort,” “Sport,” “Eco,” “Individual,” and the new “G-Mode.” “ECO” mode optimizes fuel efficiency, while “Sport” mode sharpens throttle response, gear shifts, and steering. “Individual” mode allows for customized vehicle settings.
In conjunction with the optional Adaptive Damping System, DYNAMIC SELECT offers even greater control over the driving experience. Drivers can further adjust damping characteristics in “Sport” and “Comfort” modes. The system intelligently adapts damping to road conditions, providing stiffer damping off-road and more agile responses in “Sport” mode on paved roads.
The innovative “G-Mode” is a key feature enhancing off-road performance. Activated automatically when one of the three differential locks is engaged or LOW RANGE is selected, “G-Mode” adapts the adjustable damping, steering, and accelerator characteristic for optimal off-road control. It prevents unnecessary gear shifts and ensures maximum traction and capability in challenging terrains. A “G” icon illuminates in the instrument cluster when this mode is active, signifying the vehicle’s optimized off-road readiness.
While retaining its unmatched off-road prowess, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class also significantly improves on-road driving dynamics and comfort. The new front axle design plays a crucial role in enhancing on-road performance, providing a more agile and comfortable driving experience. Steering feel is improved, and the vehicle tracks more solidly, offering a more confident and effortless driving experience both on and off the pavement.
Despite its increased size and enhanced features, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is approximately 375 lbs lighter than its predecessor. This weight reduction is achieved through intelligent material choices, including a new mix of high-strength, ultra-high-strength steels, and aluminum. The body shell utilizes various steel grades, while the fenders, hood, and doors are crafted from aluminum. This weight reduction contributes to improved driving dynamics, fuel efficiency, and reduced noise and vibrations in the interior, further enhancing the overall driving experience.
Powering the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G 550 is a high-performance 4.0-liter V8 gasoline engine, delivering robust performance. This biturbo engine produces 416 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, carried over from the previous model, ensuring ample power for both on-road and off-road driving.
A new 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, specifically adapted for the G-Class, handles power transfer. This 9-speed transmission features a dedicated software application that reduces shift and response times. The wide transmission ratio contributes to quieter and more comfortable driving at low engine speeds and also enhances fuel efficiency.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is equipped with electromechanical rack-and-pinion steering as standard. This system enables the integration of driving assistance systems like Parking Assist and is more energy-efficient than a hydraulically assisted system. The steering characteristics are also adaptable via DYNAMIC SELECT, offering Comfort, Sport, and Off-road settings, ensuring optimal steering feel and feedback in various driving situations. The steering is designed to be “as direct as possible, as indirect as necessary,” providing precise control and sufficient power assistance in all conditions.
The G-Class stands as the flagship among luxury off-road vehicles and holds the distinction of being the longest-running passenger car model series in Mercedes-Benz history. Its legacy began in 1972, and since its market launch in 1979, the G-Class has evolved while staying true to its core values of off-road supremacy and robust design. Over the decades, the G-Class has garnered a devoted fan base and solidified its position as an exclusive vehicle for any occasion. From the “Popemobile” to high-performance AMG variants and ultra-luxurious special editions, the G-Class has consistently demonstrated its versatility and enduring appeal.
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class represents the latest chapter in this remarkable story, an icon reimagined for a new era. It made its world premiere at the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and became available for sale in the U.S. in late 2018, ready to continue its legendary journey.
