Mercedes G-Class review - Reliability and Safety

The latest G-Class has been crash tested by Euro NCAP, which is surprising considering its nich SUV status, but we’re happy to report that it earned a five-star rating. Thanks to its strong construction, the G-Class holds up well in the event of an impact, and adult occupants should fare well, 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 new 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 benefits of four-wheel drive.

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Mercedes finished a praiseworthy third on the list of the most dependable car manufacturers in our 2018 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. Although the previous G-Class didn’t appear on the list of the best cars to own, the C-Class finished 27th and the A-Class 56th out of 75 vehicles, which suggests there’s room for improvement. The mechanicals in the new G-Class are well proven, with the V8 in the G 63 likely to enjoy a stress-free existence.

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.

Servicing

Service and maintenance of the G-Class won’t be cheap, but you can lower the cost by using a ServiceCare package. For around £45 a month in the G 350 d or around £50 a month in the G 63, you can spread the cost of the servicing, with this example based on two services taken over two years, three services over three years, or four over four years.