Mercedes-Benz G 350 BlueTEC 2011 Review

Road Test

Price Guide (recommended price before statutory & delivery charges): $161,680
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): Electric Sunroof $3200; Anti-theft Alarm System $900; Burr Walnut Wood Trim $900; Wood/Leather Steering Wheel $1500; Dark Tinted Glass $1100; Convenience Telephony $1100
Crash rating: N/A
Fuel: Diesel
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 11.2
CO2 emissions (g/km): 295
Also consider:Jeep Wrangler Unlimited; Land Rover Defender 110; Toyota FJ Cruiser

Like a kid from the rough side of town made good, the Mercedes-Benz G-wagen feels torn between its no-nonsense background and prestige present-day position. One look at its elevated pricetag is evidence enough. In Australia at least, this blinged-up bushie is in a league of its own when faced against similarly orientated competitors.

But ignoring the substantial six-figure asking price for a moment, the G-wagen is not without its charm. Nor is it a silver-spooned underachiever. Being primarily created for military use, its rugged offroad capabilities mean there are not too many rivals able to match its level of ability or amenity.

The turbodiesel G 350 BlueTEC comes fitted with a permanent all-wheel drive system with shift-on-the-move low-range, three diff locks (front, centre and rear) and adequate geometry to tackle almost any obstacle thrown in its path. It's not without ability on road, either. The 0-100km/h dash is conquered in 9.1 seconds and acceleration in-gear is, all things considered, quite brisk.

Power comes from Mercedes' familar 3.0-litre direct-injected and turbocharged V6 turbodiesel. In the G it develops 155kW and 540Nm -- the latter available from 1600 – 2400rpm. Although the peak torque range is shorter than some, the big Merc's 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission keeps prompt service over proceedings, reacting quickly to changes in throttle pressure when summoned.

There's enough brawn on offer for G-wagen to tow more than it weighs (2850 and 2300kg respectively), though despite its modest claims of 11.2L/100km, observed fuel consumption was borderline thirsty at 13.9L/100km -- a figure not helped by a brick-like drag co-efficient of 0.54Cd.

Riding on 18-inch alloy wheels and live axles the body-on-frame G-wagen uses a somewhat antiquated recirculating ball steering arrangement whose feel is coherent enough on lock, but strangely aloof on-centre.  A turning circle of 13.6 metres could also be tighter.

Driving position, however, is outstanding, the G-wagen's elevated stance offering commanding view of the car's corners, ideal when negotiating tricky bush tracks (or all-too-tight car parks).

Indoors, the five-seat G-wagen features include a swish ambient lighting package, COMAND six-CD tuner with sat nav, reversing camera and DVD, cruise control, electrochromatic rear-view mirror, reverse camera and parking sensors, semi-automatic single-zone climate control and heated leather upholstery with memory function up front. Our press car was further optioned with a wood/leather steering wheel, electric tilt/slide metal sunroof and Bluetooth phone connectivity.

There's limited cabin stowage (though we note the annoying under-seat drawers) but the G-wagen's boot provides 480-litres of capacity to window height (seats up) or a total of 2250-litres all told. Unfortunately for right-hand drive markets like Australia, the tailgate opens towards the kerb.

Safety sees three-point inertia reel belts fitted to all seating positions with outboard pews adding pretensioners and belt force limiters. Dual front and window airbags are included as standard, as are anti-lock brakes with brake-assist, stability control, traction control, tyre pressure monitoring and NECK-PRO head restraints for whiplash protection (front seat occupants only, head rests at rear).

To date, G-wagen has not been tested by EuroNCAP or ANCAP safety bodies.

Offroad its road-biased tyres let down what is otherwise an admirable performance. Even with road rubber, however, the G-wagen was able to tackle some of the toughest tracks we could find; very nearly conquering one particular double-diamond run not one comer has yet managed to look at.

If you can look past (or fine virtue in) its early 80s styling, and forgive the sometimes compromised packaging (try the cupholder on for size), the G-wagen is a phenomenal offroad lugger willing to undertake the toughest terrain you can thrown at it.

Question is, for $170K how many will actually want to try?

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