2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its utilitarian roots, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a rugged, purpose-built vehicle, it had become a status symbol, offering a wide range of powertrains and personalization options. The starting price was $92,000, but with upgrades, it could exceed $250,000. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless design, with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, it exuded luxury with its high-contrast Ivory interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system was not as advanced as newer models.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, or G-Wagen, retained its iconic boxy design, reminiscent of its military origins. The G-Class was available in two models: the G550 and the AMG G63, with starting prices of $131,750 and $156,450, respectively. The G-Wagen offered extensive customization options through the G Manufaktur Program, allowing for over a million possible combinations. Its rugged exterior was complemented by a luxurious interior, featuring a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment system and ambient cabin lighting. Despite its military roots, the G-Class had become a status symbol, often seen in bold custom colors and adorned with luxury features.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a variety of powertrain options, including turbodiesel V6, supercharged V8, mild-hybrid, and plug-in hybrid choices. The HSE Westminster special edition featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine, delivering 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It came with a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Range Rover excelled in off-road capabilities, thanks to its Terrain Response 2 traction control system. On-road, it provided a smooth and quiet ride, with an adaptive air suspension that filtered road harshness. However, its steering was relatively slow, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity resulted in some side-to-side wallow on uneven roads. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed an average of 18.5 mpg.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, specifically the G550, was powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive. The G550 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds, impressive for its size. Its suspension system, with double-wishbone independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle, provided a supple ride on pavement. The G-Class offered adjustable suspension and damping options, as well as three independent locking differentials for off-road capability. The AMG G63 variant took performance to another level, with 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The G-Class had a fuel economy rating of 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined for the G550, and slightly lower for the G63.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, wrapped in quality leather upholstery. However, the second-row seats lacked comfort, with inadequate thigh support and a slouched seating position. The Range Rover offered limited storage space, with dual glove compartments and a small refrigerated center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with 25 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a maximum of 59.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, particularly the G550, offered impressive cargo capacity, with 38.1 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. It had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The front cabin was spacious, with ample storage options and a tall roofline providing excellent headroom. The second row accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample legroom and a reclining seatback. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available as part of expensive packages. The G550's spare tire was mounted on the outside of the tailgate, a convenient and stylish feature.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured fully digital instrumentation and infotainment, with three displays offering numerous customization options. The InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system, while functional, was not entirely intuitive and could be distracting while driving. The Range Rover included a head-up display, but it was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The vehicle also offered a waterproof Activity Key wristband, allowing owners to leave the key fob inside while engaging in outdoor activities. An iGuide smartphone app served as a digital owner's manual, providing assistance with the infotainment system.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class boasted twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment, offering customizable layouts and content. The infotainment system ran the latest version of Mercedes-Benz's COMAND system, with unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel for easy navigation. A rear-seat entertainment system was available, and the G550 included three USB and two 12-volt outlets. WiFi was standard, but wireless device charging was not available. The G-Class also featured Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with Mercedes me connect services for three years.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover came equipped with standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional driver aids were available through optional packages, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, which worked well but had some limitations, such as slow adaptive cruise control response.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, active lane-keeping assist, and active brake assist. The active lane-keeping assist could be abrupt, requiring drivers to understand its operation fully. The G-Class had not been rated for crash-worthiness by the IIHS or NHTSA.