Mercedes G Class 2019 review

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This is Mercedes' version of the ultimate SUV, going places that other SUVs or soft crossroad vehicles fear.
Forget those GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE etc, this is the response to the Land Rover Defender, the Toyota Landcruiser and the Prada etc..
The blurb from Wiki:
Quote

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class, sometimes called G-Wagen (short for Geländewagen, "cross country vehicle"), is a mid-size four-wheel drive luxury SUV 

The latest version was just released late last year, and it's interesting that the older version is still being made, after 35 years. Now that's a long lasting vehicle.
That version last I had the pleasure of going around for a few days in this latest version, and it certainly did the trick, in the busy streets of Phonm Phenh and also rising to the occasion when the going got tough..

Now let' not pretend this is a barebones Land Rover Defender, for despite the boxy looks and the industrial strength doors, this latest version has the outwards looks and also plenty of luxury trappings such that you will still be welcome to park at the lobbies of the Raffles Hotel and yet be able to ford that little stream on your large estate at home.. It retains the key visual cues of the older one, but when you step inside... woo... 


The version I checked out was the AMG one and let's say, the power is what Rolls Royce likes to call "more than adequate"... mountains of torque, plenty of accessible power and a panoramic view of the roads with a commanding presence, this car will lord over other cars on the road ,and even in the chaotic roads in Cambodia, you will find cars parting as you progress. 

Potholes? No issues
Flooded roads?  Piece of cake, just watch that step as you let your partner get down ... it won't look out of place in a Safari, and it will be fine if you drop off that hot chick at the Sofitel too. 

The interior is a utilitarian kind of luxury, with durable materials and also a modern interface. No MBUX, and I actually think that's a good thing.

Acres of space in front and behind, you could park a couple of lions and maybe bring along a whole glamping set of tents as well. Or if you need to transport some furniture, the seats are flexible and very comfortable for long drives.

There are still swathes of leather, fine quality wood panels as well as soft touch materials in the right places, whilst retaining tough wear hard ones elsewhere.

How about the fuel consumption? Well, to paraphrase that famous Chivas Regal commercial where the commentator says, "if you need to know the price, enjoy the scenery"... here I would say, if you need to know the FC, maybe go down the road and ask for the Hyundai or Mazda instead. 

Despite all that chatter about improved materials and a fancy cabin in the afore mentioned cars, you won't be mistaking them anytime soon for this moving luxury barge.

I also had the privilege of driving the civilian Hummer 2 and the military version way back... and this SUV behaves very differently. The Hummer is a beast, and works fine in tough wide open spaces, but here, the G Class is far more agile and yet competent. I had fond memories of the Unimog, and the cross terrain capabilities reminded me of that.

NVH is brilliant, so cyclists watch out!

Now over in Cambodia and also Stateside, it costs a "paltry" 150 k USD, but I shudder to think what it costs back home... 

Back to reality now... and back to my bread van...






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 I have no financial interest or other interests in any of the items / events I write about.

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