2023 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Performance

You won't find an AMG badge on the back of the G550, but that doesn't mean that this German bruiser is short on power; in fact, it will leave most hot hatches in the dust from a launch and offers masses of mid-range power. Under the hood of the G-Class is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 416 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to a 4Matic AWD system, the G-Class will catapult to sixty miles per hour in only 5.6 seconds, which is about as fast as a 2000 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning, and will barrel on to a limited top speed of 130 mph. Figures aside, the G-Class' real party trick is its off-road capability; this thing will go where few others dare, and only vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler genuinely stand a chance of keeping up with it. The G-Class also has an impressive towing capacity of 7,000 lbs. The only thing keeping this SUV from being an excellent all-rounder is its price tag and the fact that the majority of owners will never touch a dirt road in one of these.

Under the chiseled hood of the G550, you'll find a burly 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 gas engine that churns out a serious 416 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to an impressive 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission. Combined with a 4Matic AWD system, the G550 launches from the line with surprising enthusiasm and keeps pulling cleanly past 6,000 rpm, all the while emitting a sonorous bark from the tailpipes. There's lots of low-down pull for city driving, but the G550 really shines on the highway, where it will gladly overtake any car at the mere suggestion of throttle input. The nine-speed transmission is well suited to this engine and adapts effortlessly to whatever mood the driver might be in. For those that appreciate a bit more involvement, steering-wheel-mounted paddles allow one to select gears manually. Low-range gearing is provided thanks to a two-speed transfer case, and with three lockable differentials, the G has all the hardware to go just about anywhere tire grip will allow it.

With a brick wall's aerodynamic characteristics and a 416-horsepower V8 under the hood, the G550 never stood a chance. The EPA rates that this German SUV will manage 13/16/14 mpg city/highway/combined, but real-world driving will see those numbers drop, especially when you get addicted to the glorious shove of torque on offer. To give the G550 a somewhat decent range, Mercedes-Benz has fitted it with a large 26.4-gallon fuel tank, but even that won't allow this Black Forest Bear to get much farther than 370 miles on a full tank.