2011 Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is largely unchanged. Mercedes-Benz designed this tall, relatively narrow 4-door wagon in the 1970s for military use. "G" denotes Gelandewagen--German for cross-country vehicle. Two models are offered. The G550 has a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8. The G55 from Mercedes' AMG performance division has a 500-horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V8. A 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on the G550, while the G55 uses a 5-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 3,500 pounds. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. All-wheel drive with low-range gearing is standard. Designed for severe off-road use, the AWD system includes locking front, center, and rear differentials. Both G-Class models come with a sunroof, wood/leather interior trim, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, assistance and navigation systems, and rear-obstacle detection. A navigation system with real-time traffic information, HD radio, and hard drive for storing digital music files are among the available features. No 2011 G-Class models have been made available for Consumer Guide evaluation.