Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs Jeep Wagoneer

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a blend of ruggedness and luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class was hand-built in Graz, Austria, and offered extensive customization options through the G Manufaktur Program, allowing for over a million possible combinations. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel, creating a modern and immersive driving environment. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class retained its off-road capabilities, making it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous settings.

In contrast, the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer was Jeep's largest SUV, designed with a modern aesthetic that mirrored the Grand Cherokee rather than its retro predecessor. It featured a high-mounted grille, LED headlights, and a boxy profile, but lacked the nostalgic wood paneling of the original Wagoneer. The Wagoneer rode on a new body-on-frame architecture, providing a robust foundation for its independent suspension system. While the exterior was traditional, the interior offered unique design elements like a two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel and a central touchscreen framed by wing-like structures. However, the material quality fell short of expectations for a premium vehicle, with glossy plastics and heavily-lacquered wood trim detracting from its luxury appeal.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was a powerhouse, with the G550 model featuring a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive, allowed the G550 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The G-Class boasted a sophisticated suspension system with double-wishbone independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle, providing a smooth ride on various terrains. The 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. Despite its size, the G-Class offered impressive off-road capabilities, with adjustable suspension and three locking differentials enhancing its versatility.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer was equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 mild-hybrid powertrain, delivering 392 horsepower and 404 pound-feet of torque. The eTorque system improved fuel efficiency but did not allow for electric-only driving. The Wagoneer featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered multiple four-wheel drive systems, including the advanced Quadra-Drive II with an electronic limited-slip differential. The Selec-Terrain system provided five drive modes, and the optional Quadra-Lift air suspension offered up to 10 inches of ground clearance. While the Wagoneer excelled in towing with a capacity of 10,000 pounds, its size and body-on-frame construction resulted in noticeable body roll and shuddering over bumps, making it less agile than the G-Class.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class offered a spacious and luxurious interior, with 38.1 cubic feet of cargo space 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 cabin was roomy, with ample headroom and legroom in both the front and second rows. The G-Class featured numerous storage options and a standard sunroof, enhancing the airy feel of the interior. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available as part of expensive packages.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer prioritized passenger space, seating up to eight people with the standard second-row bench. It offered more legroom in the second and third rows compared to other full-size SUVs, but front-seat legroom was limited. The Wagoneer provided 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in place, expanding to 116.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. It excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 10,000 pounds. The interior featured large storage bins and a digital rearview mirror, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class was equipped with twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment system, offering customizable layouts and content. The COMAND system, controlled via unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel, provided an intuitive user experience. The G-Class included a Burmester Surround Sound system, WiFi, and standard smartphone integration, but lacked wireless charging.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer featured a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two phones and offered a 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot. The Wagoneer could be equipped with up to 11 USB ports and a separate touchscreen for the front passenger. The Uconnect 5 system provided an easy-to-use interface, though the touchscreen was occasionally slow. Additional tech options included a head-up display and Amazon Alexa connectivity.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class included numerous safety features, such as a rearview camera, active brake assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, its active lane-keeping assist system could be abrupt, requiring careful use. The G-Class had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer came with standard driver-assist technologies like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Optional features included a surround-view camera system and night vision. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of its launch.