Why Are Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons so Expensive?
The grand G-Class is Mercedes-Benz’s most sought-after SUV. The G-Wagon, or Gelandewagen, is the big, boxy, retro, off-road Mercedes that is also the most expensive SUV Mercedes makes, depending on the trim – but any new G-Wagon will set you back more than $134,000. Why are G-Wagons so expensive? In short, it’s because they’re capable, rare, sturdy, and, most importantly, cool.
As an SUV, your garden-variety Jeep Wrangler or Land Rover Defender can tow more, have more room, have more power, and be more capable off-road. But those SUVs don’t have the heritage of the G-Wagon (or G-Wagen), and more importantly, they don’t have the presence. Nothing looks more “right” than a G-Wagon on Rodeo Drive.
Do Mercedes-Benz G-Wagons hold their expensive value?
Every luxury SUV sees significant depreciation. A 20-year-old Porsche Cayenne may have been $60,000 in 2002, but today they’re $8,000 SUVs on most lots.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon is in a different world, though. A 2012 model still sells for $58,400 in average condition. Still, some say that’s a bargain for this much capability. Its original price was $108,000. That’s about $50,000 in depreciation over the last decade, or about $416 a month. For comparison, a 2012 Infiniti QX56 luxury SUV cost $61,800 new and now sells for about $20,000 used. The Benz lost half of its value, while the Infiniti lost two-thirds.
What’s so special about G-Wagons?
If we could ask Jay-Z, Kim Kardashian, or other celebrities why they love the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, we would. The G-Wagon has a presence like no other SUV. They’re tall, they’re blocky, and they’re owned by the rich and famous. But they are also incredibly capable. The G-Class SUV has a full-time four-wheel drive, a big and powerful V8, and can be equipped with the latest technology and the highest-quality leather and materials. They are also built on a strong frame that gives them incredible off-road prowess and strength.
A G-Wagon, while expensive, simply looks like nothing else on the road.
How much is a new Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon was pretty much unchanged under its svelte skin since it was launched in 1979. In 2019 Mercedes significantly upgraded the G-Class, as it’s called now, with a longer wheelbase and a host of options that reflect its Beverley Hills clientele. Underneath, though, it’s still an off-road SUV that rides like one.
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, as it’s no longer called the Gelandewagen, starts at $134,300. But the G-Class can get as expensive as you can imagine. The base model, the G550, has a twin-turbo V8 and, with a modicum of options, can easily reach $150,000. However, once you move up to the Mercedes-AMG G63, be prepared to pay about $175,000. That G63 has 577 hp and can hit 60 miles per hour in about four seconds.
