2006 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Mercedes-Benz designed this tall, relatively narrow 4-dr wagon in the 1970s for military use. "G" denotes Gelaendewagen--German for cross-country vehicle. Two models are offered. The G500 has a 292-hp 5.0-liter V8. The G55 from Mercedes' AMG performance division has a 469-hp supercharged 5.4-liter V8. A 5-speed automatic is the only transmission. Antiskid/traction control, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, and all-wheel drive with low-range gearing are standard. Designed for severe off-road use, the AWD system includes locking front, center, and rear differentials. Head-protecting curtain side airbags are standard. Both models come with 18-inch alloy wheels; the G55's are of a unique design. It also gets its own chrome trim and chrome side-exit exhaust pipes. Both models come with a sunroof, wood/leather interior trim, heated front and rear seats, assistance and navigation systems, and rear obstacle detection.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Based on mainstream Large SUVs, Premium Large SUVs are really super-sized luxury liners. All are powerful, pricey, and extremely thirsty at the pump.

Our Best Buys is the Toyota Land Cruiser. Our Recommended pick is the Cadillac Escalade.

News

The G-Class continues for '07 despite the arrival of the more car-like GL. The V8 G500 and performance-equipped G55 AMG return with standard navigation system and bi-xenon headlights, plus a 7-speed automatic transmission to replace a 5-speed on the G500. Both models also receive details cosmetic changes inside and out. Mercedes will likely continue the old solider as long as sales demand warrants.

2006 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Road Test

Pros	Cons

Cargo room	Fuel economy

	Entry/exit

	Rear visibility

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

G500	Class Average
6	5.1

Test G500 clocked a respectable 7.9 sec 0-60 mph, helped by smooth, quick-shifting transmission. Midrange pickup is only adequate, reflecting hefty weight and poor aerodynamics. No opportunity to test G55 AMG, but Mercedes lists it at 5.5 sec 0-60.

Fuel Economy

G500	Class Average
2	2.1

Requires premium fuel--and lots of it. Test G500s averaged 13.0 mpg in mixed city/highway use, 12.8 including gas-eating performance tests.

Ride Quality

G500	Class Average
3	5.8

Surprisingly stable, given off-road-oriented suspension. Some chop due to short wheelbase, but never punishing. Still, more pitching and rocking than most every other luxury SUV.

Steering/Handling/Braking

G500	Class Average
3	3.4

No match for a car-based SUV, but not as bad as tall, narrow build might suggest. Fast turns trigger tippy cornering feel, and most crosswinds cause highway wander. Steering very firm, and wheel is slow to return to center after turns. Brakes deliver sure, reasonably short simulated panic stops with little nosedive.

Quietness

G500	Class Average
3	6.1

Wind, tire noise rise markedly over 45 mph. Much full-throttle engine roar.

Controls

G500	Class Average
3	5.8

Clear gauge cluster. Complex Mercedes COMAND video system governs navigation/audio/cell phone. Most other switches are handy and mostly self-explanatory except for low-mounted, undersized climate controls. Weak dashboard night lighting. Old-fashioned, square-cut interior shapes, but materials are high quality, include wood trim. Creaks, groans over rail tracks at odds with otherwise-solid bearing.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

G500	Class Average
5	8.1

Head room and leg room beyond generous, but cabin feels narrow in this decades-old design. Seats needlessly hard to some testers. Smallish footwells and lofty step-in complicate entry/exit; standard side steps help little. Drivers can easily see both front fenders, but elevated stance, headrest clutter, and dark-tint glass block much vision astern and over-the-shoulder.

Room/Comfort (rear)

G500	Class Average
6	7.2

Hard, flat bench seat high off floor, though head room still very good. But that also means steep step-in. And only fair leg room unless front seats are well forward.

Cargo Room

G500	Class Average
8	8

Split 70/30 rear bench double-folds for cargo, but stiff latches on test G500s required undue muscle. Rear wheel arches steal some cargo space, but there's plenty of volume for big, tall boxes. Side-opening cargo door is clumsy--partly because it carries heavy, bulky outside spare tire. Small-items storage nothing special.

Value within Class

G500	Class Average
2	4.9

The G-Class has some celebrity cachet, but this old soldier suffers too many lapses for what it costs. Other premium SUVs furnish better everyday comfort and performance, usually for far less money.

Total Score

G500	Class Average
41	56.5

Scores for all Premium Large Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		41
Average Score		56
High Score		66

2006 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/22/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

G500 4-door wagon	$78,900	$73,377	$720

G500 Grand Edition 4-door wagon	$78,900	$73,377	$720

G55 4-door wagon	$101,400	$94,302	$720

G55 Grand Edition 4-door wagon	$101,400	$94,302	$720

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

G500

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, curtain side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, daytime running lights, rear-obstacle-detection system.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Navigation system, Tele Aid assistance system w/one-year service, air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, interior air filter, power steering, power tilt/telescope heated wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, 10-way power front bucket seats, multicontour driver seat, heated front and rear seats, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, memory system (front seats, mirrors, steering wheel), wood interior trim, heated power mirrors w/turn signals and driver-side automatic day/night, power windows, power door locks, remote entry system, power sunroof, Harman/Kardon 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, intermittent rear wiper/washer, cargo cover, map lights, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, grille guard (Grand Edition), badging (Grand Edition), rear privacy glass, front and rear fog lights, running boards.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Skid plates, front and rear tow hooks, outside-mounted full-size spare tire, 265/60VR18 tires, alloy wheels.

G55 adds to G500:

Powertrain

5.4-liter V8 supercharged engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Unique interior trim.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

285/55ZR18 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
designo Sliver/Espresso Edition
G500, G55	$6,525	$6,068
Unique interior and exterior trim.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Voice-activated cellular telephone
G500	$1,995	$1,855


Navigation CD collection
G500, G55	$150	$140


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
G500, G55	$1,150	$1,150

2006 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Mercedes-Benz G-Class 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	112.2

Overall Length, in.	185.6

Overall Width, in.	71.3

Overall Height, in.	77.8

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	Supercharged sohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	5.0 /303	5.4 /332

Horsepower @ rpm.	292 @ 5500	469 @ 6100

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	336 @ 2800	516 @ 2650

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	13/14	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	None/--	--

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

< 2006 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Photos

Also in the 2006 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

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