Mercedes G-Class - Reliability and safety
The Mercedes G-Class’s material quality shines through, but the brand’s ownership experience takes away some of that gloss
The latest Mercedes G-Class was crash-tested by Euro NCAP back in 2019, which is surprising considering its niche status. We’re happy to report that it earned a five-star rating, thanks to its strong construction, so the G-Class holds up well in the event of an impact. Adult occupants should fare well, too, with a 90 per cent score in this category.
Indeed, safety is one aspect of the G-Class that is much improved over the old model, with the latest car benefiting from a host of safety and assistance systems, some of which are optional on the more everyday SUVs and saloons.
For example, the Assistance package comprises blind-spot assist and adaptive cruise control and would be an expensive option in other models. The G-Class also features active brake assist, multiple airbags, an i-Size child-seat attachment system for the outer rear seats, and the obvious traction benefits of four-wheel drive.
Mercedes finished a disappointing 25th out of a list of 32 car manufacturers in our 2024 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, which is well below 14th-placed BMW or Land Rover, which came 10th.
| Key standard safety features | Euro NCAP safety ratings |
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Warranty
While some volume car manufacturers offer five and seven-year warranties, the G-Class is covered by a three-year guarantee, but at least there’s no mileage restriction. In comparison, Audi restricts its three-year warranty to 60,000 miles, although BMW’s cover is the same as Mercedes’. Extended warranties are also available.
The battery pack in the G 580 is covered by a separate eight-year or 62,000-mile warranty, and guarantees that the battery capacity won’t drop below 70 per cent in that time period.
Servicing
Service and maintenance of the G-Class won’t be cheap, but you can spread the cost by paying for a service plan on a monthly basis. The cost depends on the engine version you go for, and the number of miles you cover annually. You can choose a plan that covers two services taken over two years, three services over three years, or four over four years.
All versions need to be serviced every 15,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
