It was a question we heard several times from those who couldn't quite place the G550's purposeful demeanor and square-rigged bod. 2009 marks the G-Wagen's (officially the G-Class in 'Benz-speak) 30th anniversary, and along with the Land Rover Defender, is one of the last old-school, military-derived vehicles that a civilian can still buy. The original G came to market in 1979, although it wasn't officially sold in the US until 2002 (a private New Mexico-based company certified and imported quite a few of them up until that time). There have been several body styles and countless powertrain offerings, depending on the need, the market, and the decade. Today's G-Class is an expensive, limited-production piece. You've probably seen them in paparazzi shots, as they're popular with guys like Brad Pitt. Arnold Schwarzenegger owned several prior to taking his current job. How to best describe one to neophytes? Tell them to visualize a four-wheel-drive bank vault. Mercedes has given the G-Class a mild makeover in celebration of its 30th birthday.

It was a question we heard several times from those who couldn't quite place the G550's purposeful demeanor and square-rigged bod. 2009 marks the G-Wagen's (officially the G-Class in 'Benz-speak) 30th anniversary, and along with the Land Rover Defender, is one of the last old-school, military-derived vehicles that a civilian can still buy. The original G came to market in 1979, although it wasn't officially sold in the US until 2002 (a private New Mexico-based company certified and imported quite a few of them up until that time). There have been several body styles and countless powertrain offerings, depending on the need, the market, and the decade. Today's G-Class is an expensive, limited-production piece. You've probably seen them in paparazzi shots, as they're popular with guys like Brad Pitt. Arnold Schwarzenegger owned several prior to taking his current job. How to best describe one to neophytes? Tell them to visualize a four-wheel-drive bank vault. Mercedes has given the G-Class a mild makeover in celebration of its 30th birthday.

The previous G500 was powered by a 5.0-liter V-8 backed by a five-speed automatic transmission. The 2009 model becomes the G550, courtesy of the new-generation 5.5-liter V-8. It gurgles out 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque and is teamed with Mercedes' state-of-the-art seven-speed automatic. Talk about drivetrain: The "Gee Wagon" boasts lockable front, center, and rear diffs, plus a power-actuated high/low range transfer case. If that's not enough, spec up the G55 AMG version. With it comes a supercharged 500-horsepower engine and the best V-8 exhaust note money can buy. Other upgrades for 2009 include a new COMAND infotainment system with a standard CD6 changer, Bluetooth, Sirius satellite and HD radio, and 610 watts of power. The front grille is new, as are the chrome basher bar, heated and cooled front seats, and 18-inch wheels. The list of standard equipment runs pages; the G550 is so well equipped, our tester carried not a single option. There are many colors available, but why would you want anything other than black over black? Thumb the key fob, and the clack of the doors unlocking resembles that of rifle bolts. The heavy doors slam like those on your average meat locker. Pound the G550 over uneven pavement and the only squeaking you'll hear comes from the leather seat cushions rubbing against each other. No sissy unibody structure here -- just a girder-like frame that's nicely overengineered. The G isn't assembled.

The flat windows produce an annoying array of reflections at night, and the backup camera is conveniently located so the spare tire carrier blocks part of its view. We accept that a Jeep Wrangler drives badly and has a poor interior because it鈥檚 affordable and people actually take it on the Rubicon. Those demerits are grating in an expensive luxury vehicle that鈥檚 meant for the REI parking lot. Clearly that doesn鈥檛 matter to buyers. The 2015 Mercedes-Benz G550 may have started life as a hardcore, go-anywhere machine, but today it has been co-opted as a suburban cruiser. It鈥檚 meant for the Kim Kardashians of the world to flaunt their wealth outside cool clubs and bars. Sure, you could take it over rocks and boulders and mud, but you won鈥檛. You want it because it鈥檚 got a giant three-pointed star on the front. With macho, squared-off looks, the G-wagen is unlike any of the modern, aerodynamically sculpted high-end SUVs your neighbors buy. This old-school truck is cool, unique, and a little bit rebellious. There are better luxury SUVs and there are better off-roaders, but the G550 makes your friends think you鈥檙e going to scale mountains on your way to the red carpet. For many American buyers, that鈥檚 worth the price alone. You absolutely do not need the 2015 Mercedes-Benz G550, but you really want it because it sets you apart from the crowd in way a few other German SUVs can.

Bluetooth, Navigation, Rearview Camera, Powered Sunroof, SIRIUS XM, Permanent All Wheel Drive, Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 Surround Sound System, Heated Front & Rear Seats, Ambient Lighting, and more! Shipping is available nationwide! The G550 is the off-road machine of enthusiasts' dream. It features portal axles and 3 center-locking differentials. Portal Axles use gears in the hubs to allow the entire axle to sit higher than the wheel centers. This is to increase ground clearance by 203mm. With very few units destined for Canada, this vehicle is sure to be an instand classic. 2 is a consignment with less than 4,300 KMS! A FREE CarProof is available to be viewed. The G550 is a great all around vehicle that offers comfort, performance, and space. We are certain upon a test drive, you will love what this vehicle has to offer. Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg is Manitoba鈥檚 premier Luxury dealership with a brand new state of the art facility. Our showrooms are temperature controlled including our pre-owned showroom located in the basement of the dealership. We carry premium new and pre-owned vehicles at prices that are highly competitive in today鈥檚 market. Can鈥檛 find what you are looking for? Just ask, and we do our best to fulfill your needs. We would love to meet you, so please call, email or come visit us at 23 Rothwell Rd! What are you waiting for?

The verdict: Bigger, more spacious and more luxurious than ever, the new G-Wagen is an excellent update to a global icon. Versus the competition: When talking about super-expensive luxury SUVs that can bound over just about anything, there aren鈥檛 many contenders. Land Rover鈥檚 Range Rover lineup is the main target, featuring larger, more spacious SUVs that work better than the G-Class but lack its iconic styling. Both Porsche and Maserati make more athletic, on-road-performance SUVs that are comparably priced. Imagine the most expensive Jeep Wrangler you can fathom: compromised interior space, boxy styling, comfortable but not too comfortable, bouncy and loud inside. 100,000 onto the price tag. That鈥檚 what the Mercedes-Benz G-Class used to be. But for 2019, Mercedes-Benz has updated its icon with a host of improvements designed to make buyers feel less remorse about shelling out a huge sum of money for an off-road truckster. Despite the 2019鈥檚 stretched wheelbase and larger overall dimensions, Mercedes kept all the design elements that make the G-Wagen the G-Wagen.