2019 Mercedes-Benz G-class: All New for the First Time in Nearly 40 Years

You are an executive at one of the most storied and prestigious widget manufacturers in the world. You have a large and successful product portfolio, but one widget in particular stands out from the rest, both for its very specific skill set and for its inimitable profile. Nearly 40 years old, it has garnered a growing legion of devotees and inadvertently become a status symbol due to Mercedes’ steadfast refusal to modernize it. Despite its hefty price, sales continue to climb with its age, defying many of the generally accepted tenets of the widget business. How, exactly, do you ease your fully functional, cash-printing, totem widget into the 21st century without diluting its legacy? In a word, carefully. For an example of how to properly execute this process, look no further than the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-class.

We’ve adored the G-wagen since its inception in 1979, and we’re happy to report that our recent trip down Austria’s famed Schöckl Mountain in the passenger seat of the 2019 G-class indicates its capabilities have survived the redesign intact. As for the exterior, well, just look at it. The changes are so subtle that it appears as if the hard corners were simply softened by the gentle breeze of time.

Ornamental Carriage

While it may look similar, the primary goals from the outset were to improve things you can’t readily see, primarily among them overall rigidity. Increased stiffness was accomplished by focusing on the construction of the body and the connections between the suspension, the drivetrain, and the all-new ladder frame. During the process, additional care was taken to create tighter body panel gaps and provide more stylish integration of the wheel arches and bumpers. The body shell is constructed with various grades of steel while the doors, hood, and fenders are aluminum. G-wagen faithful will notice two exterior similarities: The spare-tire cover and the door handles are the exact same parts found on the outgoing model. (The only other carryover part is the headlight washers.) Look closely, though, and you’ll see a—gasp!—curved-glass windshield. Rest assured, the remaining glass is as flat as a frozen lake.

The G-wagen is nominally larger too, measuring 2.1 inches longer and 4.8 inches wider than the outgoing model—but it’s also a reported 375 pounds leaner. Interior space has increased, with front legroom up by 1.5 inches and rear legroom up by a whopping 5.9 inches. Shoulder and elbow room are up slightly as well.

Interior aesthetics are evolutionary, blending the current Mercedes design ethos with traditional G-class touchstones such as the passenger grab handle and silver switches for the three differential locks. Traditional round instruments and a 12.3-inch navigation display are standard, although an optional wide-screen gauge display can be specified that features digital round instruments. Heated front and rear seats, leather, three-zone automatic climate control, a glass-panel sunroof (a first for the G-class), acoustic laminated side glass, and a Burmester audio system all make the standard-equipment list. The real victory in terms of the interior redesign is the arrival of dual cupholders front and rear, signaling the end of the line for the G-class’s quirky Nerf-basketball-net-like mesh front drink holder.

Not Solid, Jackson

Depending on which side of the mountain you stand on, the decision to swap out the live front axle for an independent setup is either long overdue or reason for some deep self-reflection. Engineering the control-arm suspension for sufficient ground clearance was no easy task. The components are mounted directly to the frame, without a subframe; the lower arms are mounted as high in the frame as possible, and the strut towers in the engine compartment are fortified with a brace known as a suspension bridge that also contributes to the torsional rigidity of the ladder frame. The live rear axle is a new piece mounted to the frame via four trailing links and a Panhard rod. Adaptive dampers are optional.

With the switch to an independent front suspension comes an electrically assisted rack-and-pinion steering system. Said to use less energy than the old recirculating-ball setup, it also ties in with driving-mode selection to tailor its response to the desired setting (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Individual, or the new off-road G-Mode—more on those in a minute). Critically for the parking impaired, it also permits systems such as parking assist.

The chief purpose of going with in independent front setup was, of course, to provide better ride and handling on-road. Mercedes claims it also has emerged with more robust off-road capabilities, something the numbers appear to bear out: Ground clearance under the front axle gear is 10.6 inches, maximum clearance to the axles is improved by about a quarter of an inch to 9.5 inches, and maximum fording depth is increased by 3.9 inches to 27.6. The 26-degree break-over angle and 31-degree angle of approach each are improved by 1 degree.

Carryover Engine, New Transmission

Arguably the most modern aspect of the outgoing G-class was the G550’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that arrived for the 2016 model year. (It replaced the old but beloved naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V-8.) While the 4.0-liter’s output remains unchanged at 416 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque at 2000 rpm, it should deliver slightly improved performance given the 2019 model’s reduced mass. After all, it already was plenty quick in the previous G550, and only seemed inadequate next to the 563-hp Mercedes-AMG G63 or the 621-hp V-12­–­powered G65. Speaking of which, you can bet new versions of both those monster Gs are in the works.

Also new to the G-class is the fitment of Benz’s nine-speed automatic transmission. Although already in use in other models, the torque converter and the transmission software have been specially modified for G duty. Additionally, Mercedes claims the wide ratio spread makes driving “quieter and more comfortable, especially at low engine speeds”—presumably due to lower rpm and thus reduced engine noise. Furthermore, the new gearbox is said to contribute to reduced fuel consumption. A new transfer case provides full-time all-wheel drive, splitting the torque output 40/60 front to rear. Low range now provides a 2.93:1 gear reduction, a significant increase over the previous model’s 2.10:1 ratio. It can be engaged at speeds up to 43 mph but can only be selected when the transmission is in neutral.

Dynamic Select is on hand to tailor engine, transmission, suspension, steering, and assistance systems to the task at hand. Eco, a concept surely alien to most G-class buyers, softens powertrain responses for maximum fuel economy; Comfort makes every effort to coddle passengers; Sport alters shift points, throttle response, the electric power steering, and the exhaust tone; and Individual allows drivers to configure the settings to their personal taste. Dynamic Select works in conjunction with optional adaptive-damping system by allowing drivers to modify the damping settings in the Comfort and Sport modes. The new bit here is G-Mode, which sadly has nothing to do with ’80s rap music but rather kicks on as soon as one of the three differential locks is activated or low range is selected. When actuated, G-Mode alters the damping, steering response, throttle response, and shifting for predictable and composed off-road behavior.

Mercedes-Benz rarely says no to personalization requests of any ilk, but most buyers will likely be able to fill their needs right from the official options list. With goodies that include an AMG Line exterior styling package, a contoured seating package with ventilated and massaging seats, rear-seat entertainment, a heated or wood and leather steering wheel, and additional 19- and 20-inch wheel options, the temptations are many.

As automotive dilemmas go, redesigning the storied Geländewagen into the 2019 G-class is a desirable one, albeit one with predetermined limitations. While there are plenty of details to come, it looks like Mercedes didn’t mess up its iconic off-roader. Look for the 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-class to begin arriving at dealerships in the United States in late 2018.