OFF-ROAD COMPARISON TEST: Mercedes-Benz G 550 Pro vs. Ford Bronco | Can the G-Wagen Keep Up?

Most Mercedes-Benz G-Class owners never even think about taking their SUVs off-road, instead relegating them to a life of mall-crawling and valet parking at high-end restaurants. But even though most will never see a speck of dirt, the G-wagen is famously capable off-road - so Edmunds’ Brian Wong got behind the wheel of a G 550 with the Professional package and headed to the trails alongside our Ford Bronco to see if the G could keep up. In this comparison test, we put both the G 550 and the Bronco through multiple tests to gauge their off-road abilities.
00:00 Intro
00:36 Trim Level
02:17 Driving Impressions
02:51 Hill Climb of Truth
04:57 Ziggeraut of Integrity
06:47 Pipes of Doom
11:38 Edmunds' Take
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[@edmundscars]

We pushed the G 550 Professional to its limit, and it showed that its mall-friendly reputation sells short its off-road prowess. What other vehicles get a bad rap for no reason? Let us know in the comments below!

[@grisa12345]

I really appreciate the premise of this video. More “vs G Wagen” videos please!

[@AA-vr8ez]

I’ve taken my G63 off road in Utah, CO, WY, MT. It’s amazing. But the best part is the face everyone makes when you go past them on the trail.

[@downinla4076]

You’re a braver person than I! I wouldn’t risk damaging the paint or panels in a 150K+ car taking it off road.

[@ALMX5DP]

Wait, the $25k Professional pack basically just adds a roof rack and ladder? Deletion of the running boards saves money and I’d think the smaller wheels and AT tires isn’t appreciably different in cost for MB.

[@Ethanbarela]

Get it used so the initial buyer is paying for it

[@emiliest-laurent9897]

Does the G Wagon come with a full time spotter for the off-roading days? At that price it better.

[@fiifxu]

13 minutes to show that the G wagon can climb small hill and can jump over few laying pipes on the ground. Nice job.

[@matthewschiebout7384]

at an off-road park...

[@fiifxu]

@@matthewschiebout7384 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 ouch

[@Julius_Gold_Dollar_Caesar]

The real off road is to put it in a muddy, rather rocky and hilly road, this is ridiculous for G.

[@TheBowerbird]

Calling that a few pipes is so stupid. It's designed to mimic a very difficult rock crawl scenario. Be less smooth brained.

[@kadimsilahtar]

Gimme a Bronco Raptor

[@florianomugnaio9169]

Super nice video!!!

[@brandonchism6960]

So the lesson is let someone else take the hit on buying a new G-Wagen, assuming one is set on having a G. If one is open to the solid axle variants, the last 3 years were 16, 17, and 18. A quick US search shows many cars well under 50k miles, in 550 or 63 trim, in various colors, for under $85k. Many of which can be had for ~$60ish and with CPO warranties.

[@drive-channel1834]

I prefer the IFS Geländewagen, what's the cheapest option?

[@motorvatorv888]

Love seeing a new G being used off road, but the exhaust routing without rails to protect it is an oversight - sure the original architecture only had to handle a peashooter exhaust in the day - but if you’re adding 25 k to improve off-road performance, I think off-road survivability should be included.

[@ImOldGregg]

I can’t comprehend how that’s worth $190k

[@gorgeusjames]

I can't comprehend or fathom why all import luxo cars are so overrated.

[@charlesssewanyana3401]

It's for rich people

[@user-jf8gd3lv7q]

@@gorgeusjames Envious.... Hmmmm???

[@drive-channel1834]

They accidentally put too many "0" in the price list, it was a mistake and Mercedes-Benz will make some corrections next year, maybe 😁

[@drive-channel1834]

Column shifter is the best shifter 👍 Easy to drive PRND Side effect: tidier center console area

[@JimmyLeeTennessee]

Nice video... I wish the bronco actually had a disconnecting front and rear stabilizer. It's only the front.

[@alanmay7929]

The gwagen professional with the diesel in foreign markets is significantly less luxurious and has front and rear solid axles

[@-Belshazzar-]

great video! a g wagon with a lift kit and bigger tires, if only I could XD

[@Brayan.667]

What a crazy car 😮😊

[@jimroberts3009]

What's the use of taking an expensive vehicle off road if you need an extra person outside to tell you where to go?

[@drive-channel1834]

It is to give you an extra stress so you can get older sooner, maybe 😁

[@ramonahumada4]

The Bronco Badlands is the only Bronco with front disconnect.

[@G24184]

also the first addition has it

[@drive-channel1834]

My old Bronco has front-tires-disconnect mechanism, sometimes it activates automatically if you drive too fast on gravel road 😁

[@siegfriedbarfuss9379]

Totally disappointed that G wagon is not protected underneath…

[@Jackson-son]

To be honest the test driving wasn't fair to the Bronco cuz we have seen only (step by step) the G wagon movements

[@leofhr2966]

The Bronco did every course well and ran through them quickly without as much care or attention. It took a lot more effort for the G wagon 3 to complete one, I think we know at least that much.

[@aron7439]

Respect

[@briangarner]

Need to compare it to the new GX, or add the new GX in here. More of an apples to apples, the Bronco is a Jeep competitor. Love the comparison though, really do.

[@gilbertferguson1685]

Interesting comparison. For off roading fun the Bronco, and a Jeep for that matter are both capable vehicles at a third of the cost. Then you have the cost of ownership to consider, and the Bronco wins hands down.

[@normanli7085]

Well for 2025, the regular v8 is replaced by a 3 liter inline 6 with a mild hybrid, but at least the AMG still has the v8. And the touchscreen finally makes it into the G-wagen

[@michaelwittmann2644]

The joke off-road route was easier for the Bronco since it had considerably larger tyers than the G.

[@alexwbakker]

Now, do the Ineos!

[@drive-channel1834]

What about the Cybertruck?

[@alexwbakker]

@@drive-channel1834 Cybertruck vs Ineos?

[@ramonahumada4]

What the status on the long term Bronco? Has it been reliable? What’s the mileage on the odometer? Did it disappoint Edmunds staff?

[@G24184]

bronco is top quality off roader, reliable so far. I got 45k on main

[@tir421]

If I had one I would be off roading it

[@2URLex]

You mean to tell me they charge you a ton more for a roof rack, ladder, removed running boards and wheels that cost less than the 19s? There some irony here when you get charged 25k to look cool when you can do better with 25k on your own. Unreal.

[@anthonypagano6384]

Where is the Land Rover Defender and jeep wrangler and Lexus gx

[@telliesmith9825]

Edmonds always doing the most smh

[@BeNice76]

My wrangler 392 will do that without any sweat!!

[@fraserhenderson7839]

almost 5 minutes to cross an obstacle...

[@robertyoung8289]

What is a bi turbo? It's a gay turbo? 🤔

[@tkewrestler2662]

I know you are probably joking, but traditionally a biturbo is an engine with twin turbochargers.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@tkewrestler2662 lol yeah must just be a school-aged joker, unless they also think bicycle, bilingual or biannual are something they're not.

[@sethmisaelhernandez5902]

That G can probably handle so much more than the Bronco can. Come on Edmunds, you can do better.

[@leofhr2966]

Just as the G costs 3 times as much, the Bronco beats it 3 times as much over any course, stop the cap chief.

[@G24184]

facts @@leofhr2966

[@gorgeusjames]

The G wagen will break down half the way and you'll need a monster truck to tow the nonsense bavarjunker.

[@YOUNESDZ83]

U talk more than showing how the car move on the off-road

[@fox12129]

I'm probably a minority in my opinion, but the exterior of the G Wagon is ugly. I might get ratioed for this comment. 🤔

[@leofhr2966]

Yea you are about to get flamed by a lot of people in a bit. I can't agree that it's ugly, tho I can't agree that it's the best looking either. I can respect you for having the balls to admit this tho, knowing full well the mob that's about to tear you a new one for having a different opinion. Cheers.

[@Richard-xv7yf]

Looks are subjective and while I disagree with your statement you’re entitled to your opinion. No hate. The G Wagon is the only Mercedes I’d buy today if I could afford it. Broke people problems

[@chiemekaa]

It was never pretty. But it certainly makes a strong statement.

[@dennissmith7214]

It’s an overpriced POS😒, and no 360* cameras in 2024 for 190k😳………….hell to the no, and they had the nerve to call it the “professional” package?!

[@someguyprobably]

@@dennissmith7214idk the G63 while costing an arm, a leg, as well as left and right testi’s….seemed to survive absolute torture from Cody at WD very well. Something like a 392 Wrangler seems more up my alley, although i can’t afford that either yet.

[@gorgeusjames]

Bronco all day any day, I wouldn't buy the Mercedes even being a millionaire, fact, why buying hyper rated hyper priced luxo cars only to show off? Moreover, most luxury imports are highly unreliable to say the least. I can do more with my stock 2016 4Runner than someone would on that hunk of junk mall crawler from Bavaria. IT EVEN DOES NOT HAVE A FRAME!

[@linard76]

You could not do more with a 4Runner than this G. Mercedes is not from Bavaria. And it has a fully boxed ladder frame.

[@hankmoody7521]

Get the G out of that sandbox, the G is Schöckl proved!

[@julh5336]

The G is the way more advanced and capable car 🇩🇪

[@gorgeusjames]

It ain't worth more than 80K with all the unreliable fancy stuff it's got...Bronco all day long.

[@boostav]

It's not but whatever makes you sleep at night.

[@user-jv2ol1yq9w]

So the Bronco is better and cheaper. Ty.

[@user-jf8gd3lv7q]

"Can the G-Wagen keep up?" Such an annoyingly stupid question can only be meant ironicly. The truth is, that the G is 10 times better in heavy offroad conditions than your praised Bronco, dudes! The G was just perverted by Kardashian and other shitty rich people, because the G is and always was an offroad monster. Actually the Bronco isn't real competition for the G-Model.