Some cars designers can reinvent as many times as they want. Others, their predecessors got right long ago. A designer tasked with creating a new version is mostly challenged to make changes that don’t upset the formula.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class debuted in 1979. But it has carved its own place in automotive culture so thoroughly that Mercedes keeps it up to date with minor changes.
For 2025, that means a mild-hybrid system and more cameras to make precision off-road driving easier. It means an updated take on the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system. And it decidedly does not mean a new look.
The new 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class will reach dealerships in the second half of this year. Mercedes hasn’t revealed pricing. The current G starts at $144,150 (including the mandatory $1,150 delivery fee).
Subtle Visual Updates
Park the 2025 G-Class next to the 2024 edition, and you might spot some changes. But without a reference immediately nearby, you probably couldn’t explain them.
Mercedes says the updates include “a radiator grille with four horizontal louvers instead of the previous three,” as well as a spoiler lip on the roof edge to reduce wind noise. The air inlets on the front bumper are more rounded now – yeah, we’re looking that closely for differences.
Designers went to great effort to ensure that little changed. Mercedes promises the “unmistakable sound upon closing the doors” will be recognizable.
But consistency is what G-Wagon buyers want.
Climate-Controlled Cup Holders, Augmented Reality HUD
Inside, the climate control vents now echo the shape of the headlights. “The switches for the three differential locks remain central elements of the redesigned off-road control center,” Mercedes-Benz says. But a new 64-color ambient lighting scheme is standard.
The driver’s display screen and the central touchscreen are each 12.3 inches, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now come standard. An augmented reality head-up display is also standard. It “superimposes graphical navigation and traffic information onto live images on the central multimedia display to help drivers find their way even in complex traffic situations.”
Cup holders are now climate-controlled, and Keyless Go lets owners lock the doors and tailgate by touching any door handle. An optional dashcam “can film the traffic in front of the vehicle and record the time and speed.” This allows drivers to document an accident or capture a scenic route, Mercedes says.
Those looking for a one-of-a-kind G-Class will find more than a million possible design combinations through Mercedes’ bespoke Manufaktur program.
But the heart of the G-Wagon’s appeal has always been its unique combination of luxury with real, military-grade off-road chops.
A Classic Ladder Frame With a New Set of Hybrid Powertrains
To that end, Mercedes says, it still “features a proven ladder-frame design, three mechanical differential locks, low range off-road gear reduction, solid rear axle and independent front suspension. High ground clearance and long-travel suspension form the basis for the off-road prowess of the all-new G-Class.”
Mercedes says the SUV can “climb up to a 100 percent grade on suitable surfaces.” A 31-degree approach angle and 30-degree departure angle keep it among the most versatile off-roaders available.
Both the standard G 550 and high-performance G 63 from AMG now use 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The G 550 adds it to a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 for a total of 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. The AMG version gets a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that makes 577 horsepower p and 627 lb-ft of torque.
Both engines send power to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission. The transfer case sends 40% of power to the front axle and 60% to the rear under normal conditions.
“The transfer case features a 1.00:1 ratio in the high range for road driving and 2.93:1 off-road gear reduction in low range. It is possible to shift from low range to high range at speeds up to 44 mph,” according to Mercedes.
AMG versions get the option of an Active Ride Control suspension “with active, hydraulic roll stabilization and adaptive adjustable damping [that] provides exceptionally agile handling and enhanced comfort.”
Electromechanical rack-and-pinion steering, which requires less energy than a hydraulically assisted system, is also equipped standard, Mercedes says.
Off-road drive modes include trail, rock, and sand.
To help you see the trail, rocks, and sand, the 2025 G-Class includes a “transparent hood” setting that “provides a virtual view of under the front of the vehicle to enable the driver to better recognize obstacles in the vehicle’s path.”
EV Coming Soon
The 2025 G-Class is not a major rethinking of the type. But one is inevitably coming. Mercedes says, “The first fully electric variant of the G-Class will round out the model portfolio at a later date.” That one is fairly close to production – Mercedes showed off a team of them performing 360-degree “tank turns” in Las Vegas just two months ago.
