Three things we bet you didn’t know about the G-Class? One, it was developed on a suggestion by the Shah of Iran, who was a shareholder in Mercedes-Benz at the time. Two, it was meant to be a military vehicle, and not a civilian one, let alone something luxurious. Three, it’s manufactured on contract for Mercedes-Benz by Magna Steyr of Austria, and has been for all its life so far. Doesn’t quite sound like a Mercedes-Benz, does it? The G-Class is the most hardcore off-roading Mercedes-Benz SUV that you can buy today, and it comes with all the luxury trimmings you’d expect in their flagship offerings. This 2021 Mercedes-Benz G550 is a case in point. It’s a 2021 model with just 2,000 miles on the clock, making it basically brand-new and current generation, so if you’re looking to skip the queues and waiting lists mandated by the current supply chain issues in the automotive industry, quick, buy it before it’s gone!

Exterior and Interior

The styling of the G-Class hasn’t really changed since introduction in 1979, and yet certain aspects have been freshened to keep up with the times. What’s even more interesting is that the second-generation W463A to which this 2021 Mercedes-Benz G550 belongs to, only carries over three parts from the first, making it a comprehensive ground-up redesign. Showcasing those brutish looks in a G Manufaktur China Blue paint job, the contrasting Obsidian Black roof gives it a distinctive appearance, as do the 19-inch twin five spoke wheels, wearing moderately meaty rubber that inspires more off-road confidence than the low profile, rubber-band tires you’d find on other luxury SUVs. A black front brush guard has been added too. The interior is like stepping into another dimension after figuring the utilitarian and tough exterior, and this example features a Platinum White and Black color theme, with the DD5 G Manufaktur Interior Package Plus having been specified at an extra cost of $13,050. There’s also metal weave trim, digital instrument cluster, full infotainment suite with Burmester speaker system, powered, heated, and ventilated driver and front passenger seats, dual-zone climate control, heated steering wheel and the usual luxury trimmings you would find in, say, an S-Class.

Engine

This 2021 Mercedes-Benz G550 isn’t the G63 AMG but don’t let that put you off, as you still get a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 that puts out a very decent 416hp and 450lb-ft to all four wheels via a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission. There are three prominent switches in the center console for locking the diffs, and the requisite off-road modes and functions are present too. Show it a flattened foot on tarmac and it will take less than six seconds to reach sixty from rest, and top out at an electronically limited 130mph. Active damping suspension keeps everyone comfortable, and the sports exhaust allows that V8 to sing better.