10 Fun Facts You Need To Know About The Mercedes G-Wagen (2024)

What if there was an SUV that could take you around the world and back a few times? What if there was an SUV that had a 6X6 option from the factory? Or an SUV that is so prestigious that it is driven by some of the highest-paid celebrities and producers in the world?

Well, guess what? There is an SUV just like this, and it is called the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. You've probably seen one on the road towering over Corollas and Civics. You might have even asked yourself what would be so appealing about these cars. Well, sit tight and buckle up as we take you through some of the best features of the G-Wagon, and what makes them loved so much by purists around the world.

15 The Mercedes G-Wagen Has Been Around For Over Four Decades

The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon has been around since the early 1970s. Although originally intended for military purposes, it was offered as a vehicle for civilians in 1979. Over the past 40+ years, it has seen changes to its interior and mechanics, but the original design remained mostly unchanged until 2018. With such a rich history behind the vehicle, it's no wonder that it comes with the clout and respect that it does.

14 The G-Wagen's Static Design Made It Perfect For Customization

Since the design was largely unchanged for almost four decades, owners and purists had to make changes to the G-Wagon themselves. Many of these cars have been modded in one shape or another. You can get bulletproof glass put in one (not by Mercedes), you can get custom headlights, custom interior design, and someone even turned one into a hot rod car. Not to mention the number of changes that can be made to the engine and mechanics of one.

13 The Mercedes G-Wagen Crushes Off-Road Obstacles In Its Sleep

While the G-Wagon is now known for luxury, that wasn't always the case. Since it was designed for military use, it needed to be able to handle off-road situations with ease. And it does just that. The G-Wagon has a 7G-tronic gearbox, an impressive ground clearance of 9.25 inches, and permanent all-wheel drive allowing it to handle even some of the most difficult off-road situations. A man named Gunther Holtorf drove his G-Wagon through 215 countries, 559,234 miles, and it didn't break down once. That's reason enough to love the G-Wagon.

12 There's A Mercedes-Benz G-Class 6X6 Also!

Just when you thought the G-Wagon couldn't get any more badass, it does. The mad scientists at Mercedes-Benz went and added two extra wheels to the G-Wagon. It comes with a six-wheel drive, a twin-turbo V-8, and about a foot and a half of ground clearance. This baby can also wade through about three feet of water, and do so with ease. And even though they look pretty rough and rugged on the outside, the interior of these cars is actually quite luxurious. Mercedes hasn't made too many of these bad boys (about 200), but the ones they have made are already sold. If you find one, you better snag it.

11 The Mercedes G-Wagon Is Incredibly Reliable

While they may be expensive (some are being sold at almost $500,000) you are definitely getting quality when you buy a G-Wagon. If you spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a car, you would hope it wouldn't break down. Most sites out there state that you can easily get up to 500,000 miles on your G-Wagon if cared for properly. And while these are luxury cars, you can rest easy knowing that the G-Wagon is one of the longest-lasting luxury cars out there. The ruggedness and capability for off-roading means that the G-Wagon will be a tank for years to come.

10 The G-Wagon Is Hand-Built

When it comes to luxury, Mercedes-Benz doesn't mess around. And look no further for evidence of this than the G-Wagon. The G-Wagon has been hand built in Austria since 1979. The leather inside these cars is hand-tooled, and even some of the V-8 engines in AMG models are assembled by hand. It's this kind of love and attention to detail that Mercedes put into the G-Wagon that makes it loved by purists and enthusiasts around the world.

9 The Mercedes G-Wagon Has Exceptional Build Quality

If you've made it this far, then there is no doubt that the quality of G-Wagons is top-notch. And they should be. You wouldn't expect just any quality of SUV to be able to destroy off-road situations. Everything from the strong frame, the luxurious interior, and the hi-tech electronics that are inside a G-Wagon scream high quality. And that comes as no surprise. Mercedes' reputation has always been one of high class and quality, and it truly shows with the design and features of the G-Wagon.

8 The G-Wagen Is Used By The Militaries Of Over 40 Countries

Not only is the G-Wagon badass as a street vehicle, but there are special, non-civilian versions of this SUV that are used by militaries around the world. It can come in hard or open tops, as a pickup (though in limited numbers), or even with armor plating. Some other military versions of this car have turret rings or come equipped with machine guns or automatic grenade launchers. Now we're sure you would feel good driving a G-Wagon if you knew that they were used in military operations to keep soldiers safe. Talk about security features.

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7 If Regular G-Wagons Don't Cut It For You, There Is An AMG With A V-8!

And just when you thought that the G-Wagon couldn't get any more powerful, it does. Over the years, Mercedes has upgraded the engines in these cars to make them stronger than ever. Just take a look at the 2024 AMG G 63. It comes equipped with a handcrafted AMG 4.0 liter V-8 biturbo engine that comes with a crazy 577 horsepower. There are even multiple style and performance packages that can be bought to make your G-Wagon AMG faster and more luxurious than ever. What a time to be alive for someone who can buy one of these SUVs.

6 The G-Wagen Is A Favorite Among Hollywood Celebrities

What would make a purist love a car more than they already do? How about the fact that many celebrities and producers own and drive G-Wagons? The G-Wagon at this point is a status symbol. A symbol of all your hard work and dedication to your craft. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Megan Fox drive G-Wagons. Arnold Schwarzenegger even turned his into the world's first fully functioning electric G-Wagon. It only cost him a cool one million to do, but we're sure it was worth it.

5 The Very First Model Was Produced For The Shah Of Iran

While the key shareholders of Daimler may shift at times, in the 1970s, this seat was sat by the soon-to-be-deposed Shah of Iran. Upon request, Daimler was to produce 20,000 trucks for military use. Needing the vehicles to be robust, reliable, and willing to get dirty, this order was no easy undertaking, and it forced Daimler to reach across oceans to fulfill it. After years of testing the original 280 GE prototype literally all over the globe, the G-Wagen was officially launched in 1979.

It didn't take long for Mercedes to realize that, with a bit of modification, the hearty workhorse developed for the Iranian military could be sold as a consumer car. Adjusted to the shifting demands of the era, the G-Wagen was re-branded in 1998, which would birth the term "G-Class".

4 The "G" Stands For "Gelandewagen"

While of great cultural significance, especially in the upper class society, an aspect that isn't as commonly discussed is the letter designations of each Mercedes-Benz vehicle class, i.e. S-Class, E-Class, so on and so forth. These letter designations aren't simply to distinguish each model, some letters refer to German terms reflecting their dimensions and intentions!

For example, the "S" in S-Class stands for "Sonderklasse", which is German for "Special Class", and the "E" in E-Class stands for "Einspritzmotor", which translates to "Fuel Injection Engine". The "G" in G-Class stands for "Gelandewagen", simply meaning "All-Terrain Vehicle". Neat!

3 The Cabin Is Designed To Accommodate Fully-Geared Soldiers

We mentioned the G-Wagen's military background. This influenced the design which is so symbolic of wealth in this modern age. The boxy, modular appearance was a result of the accommodation and upgrade potential in the vehicle itself, as it was intended to carry soldiers and heavy gear, including weaponry.

The roomy cabin is designed to allow fully-geared soldiers to sit comfortably and without bumping their helmeted heads on the roof when tackling bumpy terrain, which the G-Wagen was designed to do. The "standard" and somewhat plain exterior is also by design, as the G-Wagen is often outfitted with armor and heavy weapons in the field. The "plain" design made it easier to equip add-ons, while ensuring a solid fit and finish each time - hence its only slight deviations in design over the years.

2 All G-Class Vehicles Must Pass The True Test Of Quality

A contributing factor to the G-Wagen's success, both in and out of the theater of war, is its durability and willingness to conquer almost any terrain. This is thanks to the decades upon decades of German engineering prowess, as well as the extensive testing and quality checking that goes into each of M-B's off-road G-Class vehicles, G-Wagen included. A roughly 3.5-mile trek up Schockl, a local mountain in Graz, Austria, serves as the true test of vehicular ability, even being considered by Mercedes-Benz themselves as "one of the greatest challenges of man and technology worldwide". With its gradients of up to 60 percent and side slopes of up to 40, the G-Class faces a challenge before leaving the factory, often undergoing more than 1,243 miles of testing.

1 The Pope's Personal Transport Is A Modified G-Wagen

If you thought the G-Wagen provenance didn't reach to the highest level, let me introduce you to the "Popemobile", a modified G that accommodates, well, the Pope. From 1980 onward, Pope John Paul II's personal transport included a 1980 Mercedes-Benz 230G with a raised transparent compartment in the rear, which was temperature-controlled to prevent fogging, called a "Cupola" to house the Pope as he greeted his people. The transparent roof, which was originally made of plastic, was removable so that the Pope could really get close and personal on those sunny days. However, the plastic was replaced with bulletproof glass after an assassination attempt.