2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Review

The latest trendy sport-utility vehicle isn't the Hummer. Rather, it's the Mercedes-Benz G500, which is the current favorite of Hollywood celebrities and music world stars.

Mercedes won't comment on customers, but Hummer fan actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is said to own two G500s. One rap star has one with an ostrich-skin interior and killer sound system. In fact, even the pope has (a bullet-proofed) one.

The $73,600 G500 is boxy, but looks imposing because it's absolutely huge. It's so high that it helps to have Schwarzenegger-style muscles and the G500's running boards to climb into the surprisingly posh, quiet interior.

We say "surprising'' because both the G500 and original Hummer were designed as military vehicles, which usually are noisy, loud and uncomfortable. The military version of the Hummer is especially ghastly in that regard.

The original Hummer was designed for the U.S. Army, and the G500 was designed by Mercedes for the German military in the 1970s.

The "G'' denotes the German term Gelaendewagen, or cross-country vehicle. The G500 is said to be a no-compromise off-roader with a cliff-climbing, stump-pulling personality. Mercedes said it can climb grades up to 36 degrees and is stable on lateral slopes up to 24 degrees.

There was no opportunity to leave the road in my test G500, but I don't doubt Mercedes' claims, considering that the four-wheel-drive G500 has such items as front, center and rear lockable differentials.

Rivals to this Mercedes include the BMW X5, Hummer H2, Lexus LX 470 and Range Rover--none of which are cheap.

General Motors is making the highly refined H2 version of the Hummer, and Mercedes decided to do the same thing with the G500. That's after Mercedes saw that a private New Mexico outfit was making upwards of $130,000 a vehicle selling the "G'' vehicle after importing it and modifying it to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards.

Mercedes took control of Germany's AMG high-performance-car operation long ago when it saw that celebrities and trend setters wanted AMG versions of Mercedes models, which got great initial exposure in the popular "Miami Vice'' television series.

Why let AMG and the American outfit that sold AMG Mercedes models here make money that Mercedes could be making?

Mercedes now offers AMG versions of all its vehicles, and that includes the G500. The new AMG hot rod version is called the G55 and costs $89,900. Besides a more powerful, hand-built engine, the G55 has unique chrome trim, dual chrome side-exit exhaust pipes and special AMG slotted wheels with wider tires.

Mercedes began offering the G500 here last year. Both the G500 and G55 are in Mercedes' G-Class line, and the automaker has sold several thousand units. However, only about 300 G55 models are being sent to America this year. Both G-Class sport-utes are "handcrafted'' at a special Mercedes facility in Graz, Austria.

I tested the G500, which is fairly fast with its 5-liter, 292-horsepower V-8. The AMG version has a 5.4-liter, 349-horsepower V-8 and thus is much faster. The G500 hits 60 in 9.6 seconds, while Mercedes says the G55 does 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds.

There's a limit as to how fast a sensible driver would want to go in a G-Class sport-ute because it's such a big, heavy thing, weighing about 5,500 pounds. It's not that a G-Class vehicle handles poorly--it drives remarkably well for a vehicle originally designed for the military.

The power steering is heavy at lower speeds, but is quick enough for a high, heavy sport-utility. The G500 sweeps through curves at fairly high speeds without noticeable body lean, and the ride is comfortable. The brake pedal has a progressive action, and the anti-lock brakes have a brake-assist feature that ensures full-power braking in panic stops.

The five-speed automatic transmission upshifts fairly smoothly and downshifts quickly.

Helping keep the two G-Class sport-utes stable are a traction control system for slippery roads and a stability control system that detects an impending spin or slide and helps keep the vehicle on track. Side air bags are unavailable. However, all that weight and power result in low fuel economy: The G500 provides an estimated 13 mpg in the city and 14 on highways. The G55 does even worse.

There's plenty of room for four tall occupants, who sit high and will encounter curious stares from common folk that translate to "What is that thing?''

The leather interior has burl walnut trim and a gorgeous wood-and-leather steering wheel. Also standard are power windows and front seats, front and rear heated seats, cruise control, central door locks and automatic climate control. The G55 has exclusive charcoal Napa leather, AMG gauges and natural maple wood trim.

Both models have a navigation system with a large display on the console. The display also controls a nine-speaker audio system and optional phone that can be operated hands-free through the in-dash display.

Safety features include Mercedes' Tele Aid telematic systems, which offers safety and security features. For instance, it automatically summons help if a G-Class model is in a serious accident and can help make hotel reservations--presumably at the very best hotels.

MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS
Price
$73,600-$89,900

Likes:
Exclusive. Roomy. Quiet. Posh interior. Off-road prowess.

Dislikes:
Huge. High step-in. Heavy steering. Poor fuel economy.