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Photo of a Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

From 71-hp 240 GD to 621-hp V12 G 65 AMG: the box that kept evolving.12

Researched October 23, 2026 from 38 sources

Also called

  • G-WagenShort for Geländewagen, loosely translated as "tough terrain vehicle."13
  • G-WagonAn alternative colloquial spelling of G-Wagen, also shortened from Geländewagen.1
  • GOne-letter shorthand for Gelandewagen.4
  • WolfA name used for military G-Class versions.1

At a glance

0400800
71–621 hpPower
01530
3.9–25.4 s0–60 mph
0125250
115–250 km/hTop speed
06001,200
137–1,165 N·mTorque
02,0004,000
1,775–3,300 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1211121314

Engine
Gas/diesel fours to V12s; G 580: four motors and a 116-kWh battery911
Layout
4WD with a ladder frame; 6x6 variant has six driven wheels78
Gearbox
4/5-speed manuals; 4/5/7/9-speed autos; electric G 580: two-speed7912
Built at
Magna Steyr, Graz, Austria (originally the Puch plant)15
Units built
500,000 reached in April 20231

The story

Suggested by the Shah of Iran, the G began as a military vehicle and reached civilians in 1979. Developed with Steyr-Daimler-Puch in Graz, it later gained luxury models; selected markets wore Puch G badges until 2000.1

1979: W460 premieres in Toulon19791983: 280 GE wins Paris-Dakar outright19831990: W463 gets permanent 4WD19902002: Official U.S. G500 sales begin20022004: G 55 AMG Kompressor: 469 hp20042013: G 63 AMG 6x6 rides on portal axles20132018: W463 gains independent front suspension20182024: G 580 goes electric with four motors20242025: G 550: 443-hp mild-hybrid inline-six2025 G-Wagen (W460) (W460): 1979–1991W460G-Class (original W463) (W463): 1990–2018W463G-Class (civilian W461) (W461): 1992–2019W461 19801990200020102020
GenerationsMilestones151221
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1979–1991G-Wagen (W460) (W460)
1990–2018G-Class (original W463) (W463)
1992–2019G-Class (civilian W461) (W461)
1979W460 premieres in Toulon
1983280 GE wins Paris-Dakar outright
1990W463 gets permanent 4WD
2002Official U.S. G500 sales begin
2004G 55 AMG Kompressor: 469 hp
2013G 63 AMG 6x6 rides on portal axles
2018W463 gains independent front suspension
2024G 580 goes electric with four motors
2025G 550: 443-hp mild-hybrid inline-six
  1. 1979

    W460 premieres in Toulon

    The G launches with 230 G and 280 GE gas engines, plus 240 GD and 300 GD diesels, in short- and long-wheelbase bodies.15

  2. 1983

    280 GE wins Paris-Dakar outright

    Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur take overall victory in a 280 GE with wind-tunnel bodywork and a tuned six-cylinder.6

  3. 1990

    W463 gets permanent 4WD

    The W463 brings permanent 4WD, ABS and three locking differentials; utility duties pass to the W461 in 1992.135

  4. 2002

    Official U.S. G500 sales begin

    Europa offers Gs from 1983 and completes U.S. certification in 1993; Mercedes-Benz takes over dealer sales for model year 2002.3

  5. 2004

    G 55 AMG Kompressor: 469 hp

    The G 55 AMG trades natural aspiration for a supercharged V8, lifting output to 469 hp.27

  6. 2013

    G 63 AMG 6x6 rides on portal axles

    The G 63 AMG 6x6 combines six driven wheels, portal axles, low range and five lockable differentials.58

  7. 2018

    W463 gains independent front suspension

    The Detroit debut keeps the ladder frame and three locking differentials, while adding independent double-wishbone front suspension.157

  8. 2024

    G 580 goes electric with four motors

    With 579 hp from four motors, the G 580 brings a 116-kWh battery, ladder frame and LOW RANGE to the electric age.9

  9. 2025

    G 550: 443-hp mild-hybrid inline-six

    The refreshed G 550 gets a 443-hp 3.0-liter turbo inline-six and 48-volt assistance, plus MBUX with a touchscreen.10

Every generation

  • G-Wagen (W460)
    W4601979–1991
  • G-Class (original W463)
    W4631990–2018
  • G-Class (civilian W461)
    W4611992–2019

Power over the years

From 71 hp to 621 hp in 36 years.

0200400600800 19801990200020102020 hp 1979 · 71 hp · 240 GD: 2.4 L diesel four1979 · 87 hp · 300 GD: 3.0 L diesel five1998 · 296 hp · G 500: production V81999 · 349 hp · G 55 AMG: 5.5 L V82002 · 437 hp · G 63 AMG: 6.3 L V122004 · 469 hp · G 55 AMG Kompressor2006 · 221 hp · G 320 CDI: V6 diesel2012 · 536 hp · G 63 AMG: 5.5 L biturbo V82015 · 621 hp · G 65 AMG: V122018 · 416 hp · G 550: 4.0 L biturbo V82019 · 577 hp · AMG G63: 4.0 L biturbo V82025 · 443 hp · G 550: 3.0 L mild-hybrid six 621 hp G 65 AMG: V12 71 hp 240 GD: 2.4 L diesel four
125781014
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
197971240 GD: 2.4 L diesel four
197987300 GD: 3.0 L diesel five
1998296G 500: production V8
1999349G 55 AMG: 5.5 L V8
2002437G 63 AMG: 6.3 L V12
2004469G 55 AMG Kompressor
2006221G 320 CDI: V6 diesel
2012536G 63 AMG: 5.5 L biturbo V8
2015621G 65 AMG: V12
2018416G 550: 4.0 L biturbo V8
2019577AMG G63: 4.0 L biturbo V8
2025443G 550: 3.0 L mild-hybrid six

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • G500 / G550

    Standard

    G500 / G550

  • Standard

    W461 PUR / Professional

    2009–2019

  • G500 / G550 4x4²

    Special

    G500 / G550 4x4²

  • Mercedes-AMG G63 4x4²

    Performance

    Mercedes-AMG G63 4x4²

    2022

    577 hp
  • G 63 AMG 6x6

    Special

    G 63 AMG 6x6

    2013

    536 hp

  • Limited

    G500 Final Edition

    2023–2024

    416 hp

  • Limited

    G63 Grand Edition

    2023

    577 hp

  • Limited

    Edition STRONGER THAN THE 1980s

    2025

  • Limited

    G 500 Cabriolet Final Edition 200

    2013

    200 built

  • Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet

    Limited

    Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet

    2017

    621 hp

    99 built

  • Limited

    G 65 AMG Final Edition

    2017

How to spot one

Look for

  • Clamshell hood, exposed door hinges and marker lights atop the front fenders.14
  • Round headlights and a spare wheel carried on the side-hinged rear door.714
  • Electric G580: rectangular charging-cable box on the rear door replaces the round spare carrier.13
  • AMG Line brings AMG wheels and flared arches; on the 2019 G63, twin side pipes protrude.1014
  • 2025 G550 G PROFESSIONAL Package: 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires.10

Year by year

  1. 2008

    A three-bar grille identifies this facelift.12

  2. 2012

    LED daytime-running strips appear beneath the main headlights.11

  3. 2015

    Revised bumpers and new 18-inch five-spoke wheels distinguish this update.11

  4. 2019

    Softer edges and thicker roof pillars identify the redesign; exposed hinges, the clamshell hood and fender-top markers remain.14

  5. 2025

    G550 gets a four-bar grille instead of three, revised bumpers and a rounded-square pattern in the front air intakes.10

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz G-Class
    G-Class
    Photo of a Peugeot P4
    Peugeot P4

    Peugeot P4

    Look for rectangular headlights; this French Army G derivative uses Peugeot mechanicals.1

Against its rivals

  • Bentley Bentayga V8

    G-Class vs Bentley Bentayga V8

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    G-Class3.9 s
    Bentley Bentayga V84.1 s
    22
  • Ford Bronco Raptor

    G-Class vs Ford Bronco Raptor

    Breakover angle

    G-Class42 degrees
    Ford Bronco Raptor30.8 degrees
    17

Prices

Value today $26.0K–$130.5K2728

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$100K$200K$300K$400K 201820202022202420262028 Value today: $26,000–$130,500 2019 · $125,495 · US base, G5502019 · $146,795 · US as tested, G5502019 · $148,495 · US base, AMG G632019 · $175,945 · US as tested, AMG G632020 · $130,900 · US base, G5502022 · $350,050 · US base est., AMG G63 4x4 Squared2025 · $162,650 · US base, G580 EQ2026 · $153,900 · US MSRP, G550; delivery extra2026 · $163,200 · US MSRP, G580 EQ; delivery extra2026 · $195,550 · US MSRP, AMG G63; delivery extra 2020 · $171,000 · 2020 G63 AMG, 5k miles, BaT2023 · $179,588 · 2021 AMG G63, BaT2025 · $45,300 · 2006 G500, 36k miles, BaT2025 · $298,500 · 2023 AMG G63 4x4-squared, 2k miles, BaT2025 · $25,000 · 1992 300GD SWB 5-speed, ~151k miles shown, TMU, BaT2025 · $60,000 · 1983 280GE Cabriolet, 82k miles shown, TMU, BaT2025 · $180,000 · 2023 AMG G63, 1,800 miles, BaT2026 · $145,000 · 2021 AMG G63, March resale, BaT2026 · $36,250 · 1985 280GE 5-speed 3-door, true mileage unknown, BaT2026 · $130,500 · 2021 AMG G63, 24k miles, BaT2026 · $26,000 · 2008 G500, 196k miles, BaT2026 · $82,500 · 2019 G550 AMG Line, 45k miles, BaT $298.5K BaT, 2025
41314172728303132333435363738
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2019Price when new$125,495US base, G550
2019Price when new$146,795US as tested, G550
2019Price when new$148,495US base, AMG G63
2019Price when new$175,945US as tested, AMG G63
2020Price when new$130,900US base, G550
2022Price when new$350,050US base est., AMG G63 4x4 Squared
2025Price when new$162,650US base, G580 EQ
2026Price when new$153,900US MSRP, G550; delivery extra
2026Price when new$163,200US MSRP, G580 EQ; delivery extra
2026Price when new$195,550US MSRP, AMG G63; delivery extra
2020Auction sale$171,0002020 G63 AMG, 5k miles, BaT
2023Auction sale$179,5882021 AMG G63, BaT
2025Auction sale$45,3002006 G500, 36k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$298,5002023 AMG G63 4x4-squared, 2k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$25,0001992 300GD SWB 5-speed, ~151k miles shown, TMU, BaT
2025Auction sale$60,0001983 280GE Cabriolet, 82k miles shown, TMU, BaT
2025Auction sale$180,0002023 AMG G63, 1,800 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$145,0002021 AMG G63, March resale, BaT
2026Auction sale$36,2501985 280GE 5-speed 3-door, true mileage unknown, BaT
2026Auction sale$130,5002021 AMG G63, 24k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$26,0002008 G500, 196k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$82,5002019 G550 AMG Line, 45k miles, BaT
2026Value today$26,000–$130,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 12 stories from its legend
    • “Otto’s 215-country world tour”
    • “Ickx and Brasseur won Dakar outright”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 38 sources
  1. Mercedes-Benz G-Class - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  3. History : G.Wagen USA gwagen.com
  4. Mercedes-Benz G-Class: G-Wagen History, Photos, Fun Facts, Specifications motortrend.com
  5. 40th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class: Big birthday for the off-road classic | Mercedes-Benz Media media.mercedes-benz.com
  6. Geschichte(n) des G: Sonderausstellung G-Klasse im Mercedes-Benz Museum | Mercedes-Benz Media media.mercedes-benz.com
  7. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  8. 40 ans et plus G-rande que jamais ! media.mercedes-benz.be
  9. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  10. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  11. Mercedes-Benz Classe G I — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  12. Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen buyer’s guide: what to pay and what to look for | Classic & Sports Car classicandsportscar.com
  13. 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 First Test Review: Critiquing the Electric G-Wagen motortrend.com
  14. Tested: 2019 Mercedes-Benz G-class Remains Wonderfully Outrageous caranddriver.com
  15. Mercedes-Benz G500 Final Edition - last V8, non-AMG G-Class, only 1,500 units; AMG G63 gets Grand Edition - paultan.org paultan.org
  16. Farewell, Mercedes-Benz G-wagen: A Blast through Mexico | News | Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  17. 2022 Mercedes-AMG G63 4x4² Squared Exclusive First Drive Review: The Beast Is Back! motortrend.com
  18. Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 to Make Film Debut in "Beyond the Reach" motortrend.com
  19. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  20. Der neue Mercedes-Maybach G 650 Landaulet: Streng limitiert: Open-Air-Luxus on- und offroad | Mercedes-Benz Media media.mercedes-benz.com
  21. Mercedes-Benz W463 G-Class (1990-2018) For Sale - BaT Auctions bringatrailer.com
  22. Mercedes-AMG G 63 vs Bentley Bentayga V8 | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  23. Mercedes G-Klasse wird 45 Jahre alt - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  24. Januar 1983: Mercedes-Benz 280 GE siegt bei der Rallye Paris–Dakar | Mercedes-Benz Media media.mercedes-benz.com
  25. Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, G-Class, Unimog Featured in “Jurassic World” motortrend.com
  26. Forza Horizon 5 Confirmed Car List | Forza forza.net
  27. No Reserve: 2008 Mercedes-Benz G500 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $26,000 on September 3, 2026 (Lot #261,244) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. 24k-Mile 2021 Mercedes-AMG G63 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $130,500 on August 26, 2026 (Lot #259,785) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. Used Mercedes G-Class (Mk2, 2018-2024) buyer’s guide: tough SUV is expensive to buy and run | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  30. Mercedes-Benz USA Media Newsroom media.mbusa.com
  31. 2020 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $171,000 on May 6, 2020 (Lot #31,050) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 280GE 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $36,250 on August 24, 2026 (Lot #259,383) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 1992 Mercedes-Benz 300GD SWB 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $25,000 on September 28, 2025 (Lot #212,208) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  34. 2023 Mercedes-AMG G63 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $180,000 on March 5, 2025 (Lot #182,530) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  35. 2k-Mile 2023 Mercedes-AMG G63 4x4² for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $298,500 on October 30, 2025 (Lot #217,428) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 2019 Mercedes-Benz G550 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $82,500 on October 11, 2026 (Lot #267,818) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. 36k-Mile 2006 Mercedes-Benz G500 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $45,300 on November 21, 2025 (Lot #220,663) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280GE Cabriolet for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $60,000 on July 30, 2025 (Lot #202,741) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • media.mbusa.com
  • gwagen.com
  • motortrend.com
  • media.mercedes-benz.com
  • media.mercedes-benz.be
  • fr.wikipedia.org
  • classicandsportscar.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • paultan.org
  • bringatrailer.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • autobild.de
  • forza.net

Photo credits

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