2002 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Mercedes adds a second SUV to its U.S. line by borrowing from its European stable. The G500 uses a basic design originally created for the German army in the 1970s. Known informally as the "G-Wagen"--short for Galaendewagen (cross-country vehicle)--the G-Class was previously available in the U.S. only through private importers. Mercedes sells it as a premium-luxury SUV with a $72,500 base price vs. $125,000 or more for private-import versions. Sized for all-terrain work, the G500 seats five and is the shortest and narrowest full-size SUV; Toyota's Land Cruiser, for example, is 9 inches longer and 7 inches wider. The Mercedes comes only with a 292-hp V8, 5-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive with low-range gearing that can be engaged on-the-fly at up to 15 mph. Locking front, center, and rear differentials are standard for maximum grip. Like Mercedes' midsize M-Class SUV, the G500 has body-on-frame construction, traction/antiskid control, and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes with brake assist. Side and curtain airbags aren't available, but 18-inch alloy wheels, wood/leather interior, and heated front and rear seats are standard. Also included are Mercedes' assistance and navigation systems. Annual U.S. sales are limited to less than 2000.

Competition

Though this segment has cooled somewhat with the rise in fuel prices, it's still one of the hottest. Our Best Buys are the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban.

Recommended are the Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon. For a few more bucks you can get the Toyota Land Cruiser. Its high price is the only thing holding back this refined and drivable SUV. We love the size, comfort, and power of these big SUVs but wish they got a few more miles per gallon.

News

The G-Class is new to the U.S. and comes only one way, but it's long been sold in other world markets with a mind-boggling array of engines and body configurations, including a number of job-specific models. The basic design, however, hasn't changed much in some 30 years, and that should remain true for the forseeable future.

2002 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Road Test

Pros	Cons

Cargo room	Fuel economy

	Handling/roadholding

	Rear visibility

	Seat comfort

	Wind/engine noise

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

G500	Class Average
6	4.4

Test G500 clocked 0-60 mph in a respectable 7.9 sec, helped by a smooth, quick-shifting automatic transmission. But midrange pickup isn't that strong, reflecting hefty weight and the poor aerodynamic shape of this tall, boxy body.

Fuel Economy

G500	Class Average
2	2

The G500 requires premium fuel and lots of it. Test model averaged 12.8 mpg in city/freeway driving, including gas-eating performance tests.

Ride Quality

G500	Class Average
3	4.9

Firm, off-road-oriented suspension settings make for a fairly jiggly on-road ride. It's far from punishing, but most every other big SUV offers far superior comfort.

Steering/Handling/Braking

G500	Class Average
2	2.8

Like the ride quality, disappointingly trucky and old-fashioned. Marked early body lean creates a tippy cornering feel, and even moderately gusty crosswinds cause noticeable wander at highway speeds. The brakes deliver sure, reasonably short simulated panic stops with little nosedive--once they're warmed up; until then, pedal action is worrisomely heavy and dead-feeling. Steering effort high at low speeds, and steering wheel is slow to return to center after turns.

Quietness

G500	Class Average
3	5.1

Average at best. Wind and tire noise intrude from as low as 45 mph, and there's lots of roar from the engine at full throttle.

Controls

G500	Class Average
3	4.6

We were surprised to find the same gauge cluster used in Mercedes' entry-level C-Class cars--and again aggravated by the complicated COMAND navigation/audio/cell phone setup. There are lots of other switches too, but they're handy and unambiguous except for the climate controls, which have small markings and sit just under the COMAND screen, itself too low down. Dashboard night lighting is weak. Cabin decor looks high-grade but "industrial," except for the wood dashboard trim and unusual berber-type headliner.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

G500	Class Average
5	7.4

Head room is beyond generous, but the cabin feels narrow in this 30-year-old design. Seats seem needlessly hard. Smallish footwells and the tall body-build complicate entry/exit even for long-legged occupants, and the standard side steps don't help much. Drivers can easily see both front fenders, but the elevated stance, headrest clutter, and dark-tint glass hamper vision astern and over-the-shoulder.

Room/Comfort (rear)

G500	Class Average
5	6.9

The bench seat is as hard and flat as the front buckets. It sits higher off the floor, so head room here is only very good. But that also means loftier entry/exit. And leg room is only fair with the front seats pushed back. The seat is split 70/30 and double-folds for cargo, but the latches on our test G500 were stiff enough to challenge The Rock, and there's no dedicated in-cabin headrest storage.

Cargo Room

G500	Class Average
8	7.7

The rear wheel arches steal some floor area, but there's plenty of volume for big, tall boxes even with the rear seat up. The side-opening cargo door is clumsy, though, partly because of the heavy, bulky outside spare tire. Small-items storage is nothing special, and the two front cupholders are obvious afterthoughts.

Value within Class

G500	Class Average
2	3

The G-Class achieved some celebrity cachet as a private import, one reason Mercedes took over sales. But this old soldier suffers too many lapses for what it costs--including big gaps around the doors that partly expose the latches, a tempting target for thieves with slim-jims. The G-Class is highly capable off-road, but other big SUVs offer far better everyday comfort, refinement, and performance for less money.

Total Score

G500	Class Average
39	48.8

Scores for all Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		23
Average Score		48
High Score		63

2002 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 02/21/2002

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door wagon	$72,500	$67,425	$665

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

5.0-liter V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability, all-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, locking front/rear/center differentials, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags w/automatic child-seat recognition system, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, daytime running lights, TeleAid emergency assistance system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Navigation system, air conditioning w/automatic climate control, interior air filter, power steering, power tilt/telescoping wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, 10-way power front bucket seats, heated front and rear seats, center console, split folding rear seat, memory system (front seats, mirrors, steering wheel), wood interior trim, heated power mirrors w/passenger-side back-up aid, power windows, power door locks, remote entry system, power sunroof, AM/FM/weatherband radio, 6-disc CD changer, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage-door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, rain-sensing intermittent wipers, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer, cargo cover, map lights, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, front and rear fog lights, running boards.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Skid plates, front and rear tow hooks, 265/60VR18 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
designo Espresso/Silver Editions
Base	$6,200	$
Special wood interior trim, Nappa leather upholstery, unique floormats.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Navigation CD collection
Base	$140	$130


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
Base	$0	$0
Requires special order charge with certain interior colors.

Special order charge
Base	$1,150	$1,150

2002 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mercedes-Benz G-Class 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	112.0

Overall Length, in.	183.5

Overall Width, in.	69.3

Overall Height, in.	72.3

Curb Weight, lbs.	5423

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	79.5

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	25.4

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	42.2

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	52.5

Rear Head Room, in.	40.0

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	42.0

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	5.0 /305

Horsepower @ rpm.	292 @ 5500

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	336 @ 2800

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	12/14

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Mercedes-Benz G-Class 4-door wagon

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	4/50,000	--

Free roadside assistance	--/--	Unlimited

Free scheduled maintenance	4/50,000	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Austria

Drivewheels: all-wheel drive

< 2002 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Photos

Also in the 2002 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Review:

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Road Test

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Prices & Equipment

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Specs & Safety

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Photos

Mercedes-Benz G-Class Full Review

All Mercedes-Benz G-Class

All Mercedes-Benzs