2023 Mercedes-Benz G 550 - You Already Know

What's more iconic than a G Wagen?
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The mercedes Benz G class, what is now considered the crown jewel and the most ubiquitous symbol of status and success, was once nothing more than a military vehicle. Originally developed for war it brought uncompromising rugged dependability and off-road ability. But now in 2023 it’s seen in a very different way, so what is it really?
Special. That’s what it is.
There’s no way one of these drives down the street past you and you don’t call it out
There are essentially two flavors you can get your G Wagon. The first might even be the more common one. The full-potency G63 AMG with all the sporting kit you could think to put on a box-shaped 4x4. HOWEVER, what we have today is much more the spiritual successor to the original G-Class at its conception
This is the G550 which means it doesn’t get the tarted-up AMG treatment and that technically means it’s the “base” option
HOWEVER
It’s really hard to call something with a healthy 6 figure price tag
4 liter twin turbo V8
And over 400 hp
“Base”
Maybe another way to describe it would be off-road spec rather than the AMG sport spec. In fact, in this G550 form this G wagon will genuinely and sincerely go toe-to-toe offroad with things like Broncos and Wranglers.
Which means you get things like 9.5 inches of ground clearance
You get 7000 lbs of towing
You get, not 1, not 2, but 3 locking differentials!
In 2019 when this thing got it’s new generation, I had the fortune fo going to the Mercedes plant in Alabama and I got a chance to off-road this G550 and it was astonishingly capable
But yes, the vast majority of the clientele will be sticking to the pavement so how is that?
Well, it’s a lot better than it was before 2019
2019 was the new generation debut and now we have things like adaptive suspension, additional sound deadening, a bigger & more spacious cabin, and a nicer interior. Overall it’s a much nicer place to spend time
The ride is actually pretty good and better than you’d get with the big wheeled AMG version and it’s shouty exhaust
At the end of the day this is the shape of a box and when you drive a box down a highway at 70 or 80 there’s gunna be wind noise
BUT here are a couple interesting tidbits
Starting up front there are two major things right away that give it away if someone is driving a G550 or G63
On the G550 we have the brush bar surrounding the grille
The G63 has the brush bar surrounding the front bumper beneath the grille
Secondly, is the grille itself
The G550 gets 2 horizontal slats
The G63 gets the vertical slats of the panamericana grille
Around the side there’s another giveaway but you wouldn’t notice it unless the two were sitting next to each other
The G550 is actually 2 inches shorter to help with offroad approach and departure angles
And then you’ll also notice that teh G550 DOESNT have the dual exhaust peeking out under the side of each of the rear passengers doors
Again, this is to help keep the ground clearance higher than the AMG
You’d hate to climb a rock and as you’re climbing back down you squish your fancy AMG exhaust
The cabin is where it becomes more apparent this isn’t some military grade 4x4 that has just been left alone for decades
Everythign in here is up to Mercedes standard
Everything is leather wrapped, there are 54 different upholstery options
You can get a bunch of different woods and carbon fibers for your trim
You have a HUGE 12 inch gauge cluster that’s totally customizable
And THAT has a twin 12 inch screen for your infotainment system
It’s running MBUX which we’ve talked about a bunch in previous videos
But the highlights are things like
ACP & AA
64 color ambient lighting with animations and splits
You have not just drive modes, but themes that involve your cluster, telemetry, and ambient light
And you can control all these things 3 different ways
The steering wheel controls
The scroll wheel
Or the touchscreen
You’ve got an excellent Burmester sound system
And you have all the luxuries you’d expect from Benz like
Heated front and rear seats
A heated steering wheel option
And cooled and massaging front seats with the seat comfort package
But the biggest thing they fixed in 2019 was the cabin space itself
The old G was cramped and skinny
Without bending to the side i could basically open the passenger door
Here though you have a much more spacious interior
It is box shaped as we mentioned earlier, but that has huge benefits on the interior
The headroom is crazy, you have loads of legroom even in the back
AND the visibility is phenomenal

[@dwnshft]

Special thanks to our Patrons for their support of the channel! What's more iconic than a G Wagen?

[@dkennedy7502]

very ugly

[@volvoxc9086]

Range rover obviously more iconic and the king of luxury suvs.but the g class is a excellent legendary vehicle .

[@volvoxc9086]

@@dkennedy7502 go to a doctor

[@tronn_carter]

Impressive amount of info packed into 6 minutes. Well done.

[@brentshannon5048]

Thanks for not dragging it out…… str8 up w the differences and options. ✌🏻

[@dwnshft]

Breeennnttt 🙏

[@samirchamandour]

Excellent work

[@GardellaGZ]

Very well made video. I love my 2023. This sums up why I chose the non-amg. I have a bunch of MBs. This G550 was meant to be an off-road vehicle.

[@danielrobinson6204]

So I’m dreaming of owning a GWagon. I’m torn between the G550 and the G63. Honestly I could just tune a 550 to get the sports performance of a 63 right?

[@ethansikka9340]

Hey man, I’ve watched a lot of car reviewers; and your delivery and background on the vehicle makes for an extremely comprehensive experience. Cheers to you brotha keep it up 👍

[@dwnshft]

Hey thanks!

[@cruzmalibu4361]

You did a good job on this …

[@dwnshft]

Thanks 🙏

[@TheJoStephan]

Bro I just discovered your channel, and love the videos. Binge watching all of them right now. I really enjoy your pro’s and cons and honesty. Thank you for a great channel & videos! Any chance you can review the Audi RSQ3 sportback??

[@dwnshft]

Thanks for the love! I don’t think the RSQ3 is coming to the states, otherwise I would be happy to. Anything else you wanna see?

[@debdixon6272]

Sounds impressive!

[@philipsigglekow7828]

Love it might get rid of my GLE and get the G550

[@lorisawicki2691]

Thanks for the latest info. By chance, do you know if the 550 you drove had a 360 camera? I believe the front camera is covered up bc of the brush guard in the way. Coming from a GLE with a 360 and front facing camera it is hard not to have moving forward. We were told when building a 2023 that it is only an option on the G550. I do know the G63 does have both cameras but is much more money. TIA

[@AliKhan513]

Unfortunately it doesn't have the 360 camera. It only has a rearview camera with proximity sensors around the car for the side and front. You're correct the front bar blocks the camera which prevents the view of the front camera. You can only get it on the G63. It's pretty disappointing because like you I had a GLE prior to this car which had much nicer tech on the interior. Other things you don't have which you had on the GLE are the new MBUX interior system and a touchscreen display. Everything is controlled by the touchpad on the center console which is harder to navigate than a simple touchscreen. It also doesn't have the "Hey Mercedes" call sign to voice active commands.

[@lorisawicki2691]

@@AliKhan513 Thank you so much for the info! Really appreciate your time!

[@GardellaGZ]

No 360. Rear view sensors do not take into consideration the spare. Backing up has a slight learning curve if you are used to the other MB Suvs and Sedans.

[@sakapole]

Great video Bro. For me the l 6 turbodiesel G400d with 330 hp and 700 Nm of torque. 0-62 in 6.4 sec. and 210 kms/h. Enough. Greetings from Spain.

[@dwnshft]

salud! thanks for the view and comment

[@Agent77X]

Nice race car!😊

[@user-uw4ng6tv6t]

I own a G-wagen. And I live in Wyoming. Yes, it’s a barely civilized military vehicle with a great interior that consumes gasoline like a college student drinking beer at a fraternity party. It also never gets stuck in a Wyoming winter storm. Or anywhere else. The best SUV I’ve ever owned.

[@jg3_75]

I really like the new amg grills, but I really would prefer a g550 because I love the 4x4 heritage and the wheels are way too big and suspension too stiff for what I’d want it for

[@dwnshft]

the g550 is still epic!

[@bobbender5858]

I’d like to see you do a review of the defender 110.

[@dwnshft]

will see what i can do!

[@bobbender5858]

@@dwnshft ..Thanks !!

[@sakapole]

British rubish. Nice desing but very Bad electronic.

[@bobbender5858]

@@sakapole ..I’ve had four Range Rovers. Had a small problem with the first and a small problem with my current one. Not a big deal. I feel badly for people who have had bad experiences.

[@gndinkins]

I own a 2016 G550 Gwagon and just to let the public know, both pinion seals leaked fluids at 20,000 miles and being that the warranty expired, I had to pay $2200.00 for the repair. Buyer beware, as they are no longer the long life a buyer expects.

[@chardelraconner7324]

that cork surfboard doesn't match this trim... you are qualified where not amateur goes...

[@chardelraconner7324]

your carxing aesthetic i ain't buying ; tiki facial

[@inchlorIentztJiIu]

People who own or want G-wagons be like, "does it look good?"🤔 I guess 🤷‍♂️=🐑

[@user-ke2dm1pu6y]

I have it but it belongs to my uncle 😎😅

[@inv1cmaj]

Can't get a front camera with the G550. What a joke. Maybe you can beg for a special order, but as you can see the brush guard blocks where the camera should be. Have to go for the G63 to get a front camera. What an embarrassment.