The Mercedes-Benz G Wagon has been featured in reality television shows, music videos, and celebrity Instagram feeds for years. When you see one on the road, you know that they are a symbol of status, even more so than some of the other vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup. But, despite the reputation, they aren’t as comfortable or luxurious as you might think, and some of them have a reputation for being pretty unreliable. So, why are G Wagons such popular cars for celebrities and elites?

The Mercedes-Benz G Wagon

For starters, the Mercedes-Benz G Wagon is out of the budget for your average consumer. In fact, the newest 2021 model year reportedly starts out at over $130,000 for the base model, and that isn’t a far stretch from the prices we have seen in previous years. When it comes to fame and riches, showing of that you can afford a vehicle of this caliber is part of a certain image. Even more impressively, these cars are pretty expensive to maintain, so if you can afford to purchase one and drive one, it must mean you have a decent amount of money.

The early years

The G Series is one of Mercedes-Benz’s longest-running vehicle lines in history, and it didn’t get its start as a celebrity favorite. In fact, it was design to be a rugged option, comparable to SUVs like Jeep, that could not only handle different terrains and climates but dominate the competition at doing so. For this reason, it was an obvious contender for a military vehicle, and the boxy styling matched what we recognize as the most popular military-vehicle turned road-car, the Hummer.

A history of fame

The G Wagon has been feature by many celebrities and other famous figures, like one specially outfitted for the Pope. It wasn’t originally available in the United States, even after it was made a street-legal car, meaning buyers had to have the car imported, which, as you could imagine, made them rare and expensive. It isn’t really clear if one celebrity or icon really started the trend, but it’s clear that the G Wagon is the car of the rich and famous, and no matter what started the trend, we have continued to see it that way.

With new options of supercar-level SUVs like the Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus, it is curious how long the Mercedes-Benz G Wagon will staying the reigning champ of status symbols, but it is clear that this vehicle is more than a family car. While it lacks the luxuries and comfort you’d expect from a vehicle that costs so much and has such a large online presence, the G Wagon continues to be a favorite among celebrities and rappers.