Based on a military vehicle, the Mercedes-Benz G500 has come
rumbling over to the United States. This very expensive, thirsty, 
trooper should be regarded as the poster child for excess in the automotive
industry, which is no small accomplishment.

Mercedes-Benz developed the basic G-Class platform, known as the
Gelaendewagen in Germany, about a quarter century ago and it serves duty
with the armed forces of many countries. A few years ago, some enterprising
chaps decided to import a small number into the US and we assume bring
them up to federal standards as a toy for boys with high needs for social
distinction. 

Consequently, a Mercedes marketing guru decided that if private
entrepreneurs could sell a few Gelaendewagens, the mother company
could sell a few thousand annually and now we have a luxury version of the
vehicle on shore. Here it¹s meant to compete with the Lexus LX470 and the
Range Rover.

Most all of the luxury features that you associate with a Mercedes-Benz
E-Class sedan can be found in the G500, including the GPS navigation
system, excellent heated power seats, climate control, a killer stereo 
and power moon roof. Like other vehicles in the current Mercedes line, the
not-so-user-friendly COMAND center controls the audio, navigation and
on-board phone. 

There is no doubt that the G500 does bring the necessary ingredients for an
excellent off-road vehicle. It has a smooth-shifting five-speed transmission
and a potent V-8 engine that delivers lots of torque. The G500¹s ground
clearance is good and it has short front and rear overhands to prevent it
from being hung up when approaching or departing a sharp incline.
Going deeper into component technology, we find a rugged ladder frame, 
solid axels and not one, not two, but three locking differentials. Large switches
on the dashboard allow the drive to separately lock the rear, center and
front differentials, which should eliminate wheel spin and allow the G500 to
climb out of almost any conceivable off-road situation.

As a luxury SUV, the G500 has limitations. The handling is sluggish.
However, given the weight of the G500 at almost three tons, this is not
surprising. Even though its footprint is not especially large, it feels
ungainly in crowded situation, such as urban parking garages.
The high, ultra-square design has inherent problems. Wind noise is
noticeable at cruising speeds and the upright windshield is a magnet for
every kind of flying insect. I hadn¹t driven more than 20 minutes before I'd
collected an entomology collection which may be great for science, but not
for visibility. 

If you believe that a major component of a utility vehicle should be the
capacity to haul lots of stuff, the G500 may disappoint. It¹s surprising
that although the G500 looks big, it won¹t win awards as a cargo carrier. In
fact, the mid-size Mercedes E320 wagon has a larger carrying capacity than
the G500 if both vehicles have their second row of seats folded. In fact, a
lot of the interior room in the G500 is based on the vehicle¹s height.
The G-Class¹ headroom is amazing think of Abraham Lincoln wearing a
stovepipe hat with headroom to spare. However, for cargo capacity, other
than carrying a washing machine, height is not the most important dimension
in a consumer vehicle. In terms of cargo area, whether you load up the back
of the vehicle with sacks of groceries, bags of peat moss or scuba gear, you
want width and depth, not height. If you stack objects high, items on the
bottom will be crushed, while things on top may land in the back seat if you
slam on the brakes.

Given both the G500¹s virtues as well as liabilities, it¹s hard to profile
the customer for the G500, other than those with lots of disposable cash and
an overwhelming need for attention. If you¹re an entertainment industry
player who requires the latest thing, you¹ll be pleased. The tall G500 will
gather notice in almost any social circle, although such upscale points as
Beverly Hills, Palm Springs and Aspen may already be inured to its ultra
boxy shape. But with a price tag of $75,000, it is doubtful that
professionals who spend their lives in the outback, such as fishing guides
or field geologists, will be attracted to the wallet-busting G500. As for
off-road enthusiasts, the last time I spend the day with a four-wheeler
club, the vehicle of choice was the compact, versatile Jeep Wrangler.

 
Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz G500
Price as tested: $74,945
Engine:
    Type: 5-liter V-8
    Horsepower: 292 @ 5,500 rpm
    Torque: 336-ft. lbs. @ 4,000 rpm
Fuel economy, automatic transmission
    City - 12 mpg
    Highway - 14 mpg
Curb Weight: 5,423 lbs