What's New: 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Exterior
On the outside, it won’t look like much has changed. Part of the G-Wagen’s charm has always been that it looks like the shipping container that a Mercedes-Benz SL roadster comes in. But for 2019, some rounded corners and improved details keep the G-Class relevant and more refined, with better airflow for a quieter ride (fuel economy isn’t as much of an area of emphasis in a class like this). The fenders are more integrated into the body while the grille and hood are slightly rounder.

But classic G-Wagen design elements remain, such as the exterior door handles and protective strip, the exposed hood and door hinges, the fender-mounted turn signals and the externally mounted full-size spare tire on the tailgate. The biggest difference is in its size — the new 2019 model is 2.1 inches longer and 4.8 inches wider than the model it replaces, with the goal of increasing interior room.

Interior
And increase it they have: There’s an inch-and-a-half more legroom for front-seat occupants and nearly 6 inches more for backseat riders. Shoulder room has increased by more than an inch front and back, and elbow room has increased by more than 2 inches. It should feel considerably more spacious inside than the outgoing model.

Mercedes-Benz took the opportunity of a larger interior to redo the entire cabin, bringing it fully up to date with the modern Mercedes-Benz showroom. While an analog gauge display is standard, optional is a widescreen digital dash. Two 12.3-inch displays side by side bring a new widescreen-cockpit look to the G-Wagen, just like the ones seen in the S-Class and E-Class.

A new dash with all-new air vents, controls and materials is also present, replacing the old-style interior with the tacked-on tablet-style display. New seats are fitted front and back, with the front ones featuring optional Active Multicontour functionality.

Under the Hood
Powering the new G-Class is Mercedes-Benz’s carryover twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine pumping out 416 horsepower and 450 pounds-feet of torque in a model designated the G550 (more powerful AMG versions are expected to be shown later). It channels that power through a new nine-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels with permanent all-wheel drive and a system that offers three electronically locking differentials, controlled from the cabin. Switch any of those differentials to lock, and the vehicle enters a new “G-Mode,” which changes everything from steering input to transmission shifting to throttle control in order to maximize off-road prowess.

The steering system is new, as well, with an electromechanical system replacing the prior model’s hydraulic steering, which enables new parking assist features. The front suspension has also been changed; it’s now an independent double-A-arm setup instead of a live axle for better handling on-road and articulation off-road. The rear axle is now suspended via four trailing arms on each side and stabilized by a Panhard rod. The G-Class should also benefit from a 375-pound weight reduction thanks to the incorporation of several grades of steel into the body shell, as well as aluminum for the fenders, hood and doors.