The brand鈥檚 longest-running production vehicle has returned with a vengeance. On the eve of its 40th birthday, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is navigating middle age with a major redesign, trying to stay hip as young rivals such as the Lamborghini Urus and Rolls Royce Cullinan emerge. Like any enviable facelift, the makeover has given the long-running global status symbol a modern look while retaining its rugged off-road appeal. Its 375-pound weight loss鈥攄ue to an aluminum-based diet for the doors, hood and fenders鈥攄oesn鈥檛 hurt its born-again vivacity, either. Though puny by today鈥檚 standards, the G-Class launched in 1979 as a military-style truck powered by a choice of four engines supplying between 71 and 154 horsepower. The 2019 G-Wagen packs much more pluck. The G550 delivers 416 horsepower using its new 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8, while the high-performance AMG G63 harnesses 577 ponies with its handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 bi-turbo. We feel the SUV鈥檚 additional oomph鈥攎eted through its new, silky-smooth nine-speed automatic transmission鈥攁s soon as we hit the freeway outside of San Diego.

The brand鈥檚 longest-running production vehicle has returned with a vengeance. On the eve of its 40th birthday, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is navigating middle age with a major redesign, trying to stay hip as young rivals such as the Lamborghini Urus and Rolls Royce Cullinan emerge. Like any enviable facelift, the makeover has given the long-running global status symbol a modern look while retaining its rugged off-road appeal. Its 375-pound weight loss鈥攄ue to an aluminum-based diet for the doors, hood and fenders鈥攄oesn鈥檛 hurt its born-again vivacity, either. Though puny by today鈥檚 standards, the G-Class launched in 1979 as a military-style truck powered by a choice of four engines supplying between 71 and 154 horsepower. The 2019 G-Wagen packs much more pluck. The G550 delivers 416 horsepower using its new 4.0-liter bi-turbo V8, while the high-performance AMG G63 harnesses 577 ponies with its handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 bi-turbo. We feel the SUV鈥檚 additional oomph鈥攎eted through its new, silky-smooth nine-speed automatic transmission鈥攁s soon as we hit the freeway outside of San Diego.

Once notoriously clunky on pavement, the updated SUV now performs gracefully with little rattle. Arriving at Ocotillo Wells in the afternoon, we鈥檙e refreshed and ready to play. Stretched before us: more than 85,000 acres of sand dunes, granite slides and muddy springs. With nearly 9.5 inches of ground clearance, the SUV roams boulders jutting at sharp ascents, charges up soft sand dunes with authority, and pitches sideways without endangering us. New for the latest generation, the G-Mode setting matches the SUV鈥檚 driving characteristics to the terrain when one of three locking differentials is engaged. Our driving instructor warned us about spots requiring the G-Wagen鈥檚 precise steering as the path narrowed along the rocks, but the SUV shows its dexterity despite its top-heavy silhouette. On one pass, our instructor asks us to test the articulation by tipping the side of the car near its 35-degree limit. We exit the car to find two wheels off the ground. Recalling Bowerman鈥檚 words, we instinctively pat our pockets. Sure enough, they鈥檙e empty.

This includes things like brake pads, wiper blades and fluids. Lastly, unlike the more expensive programs by Cadillac and Porsche, Care by Volvo only lets you swap cars every 12 months in most markets. While that's still better than most lease programs, it's not ideal for those of us who suffer from a lack of car commitment. Most of the OEM subscription services that we're talking about let you swap cars out whenever you feel like it and cost a boatload of money. Like most subscription services, it's all-inclusive so your monthly fee takes care of the car, insurance and maintenance, leaving you to deal with fuel and not much else. 1,200) per month and range (get it?) up to 拢2,200 for a Range Rover Sport HSE. Interestingly, Jaguar Land Rover isn't requiring a deposit, but should you choose to put one down anyway, it will lower your monthly subscription cost.

While Carpe is currently UK-only, we wouldn't be terribly surprised if it hopped the pond, given how hot the subscription market segment is right now. Roadshow has asked Jaguar Land Rover if it has any plans to bring Carpe here, but so far, it's remained tight-lipped on the subject. Lexus launched its Complete Lease program in the first quarter of 2019 with the newly unveiled UX and UX Hybrid crossovers. The program offers a two-year, 20,000-mile lease inclusive of insurance and maintenance for a single, non-negotiable price. Lexus has confirmed that the program has the potential to expand to other models if the initial program with the UX proves to be popular. Mercedes-Benz has been talking about launching its pilot program for a car subscription service for months and now it's a reality. The program is called Mercedes-Benz Collection and, like most of the other OEM programs, it's not cheap but it might be worth it if you really love that three-pointed star and live in Atlanta, Nashville or Philadelphia.