Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Mercedes-Benz G-Class is the boxy off-roader that started life in 1979 as a tough utility vehicle and turned into one of the most recognizable luxury SUVs on the road. Everyone calls it the G-Wagen, short for Geländewagen, which is German for off-road vehicle. It’s still built by hand in Graz, Austria, and today you can get it with a mild-hybrid six, a 577-hp AMG V8 or four electric motors. Pick your year below to jump to the right generation, or read on for the history and which one suits you.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class at a Glance
On sale 1979 Shown in Toulon, France
Built in Graz, Austria By Magna Steyr since 2001
US debut 2002 First official model year, as the G500
Milestone 500,000 Built by April 2023
Top output today 579 hp G 580 with EQ Technology
Name Geländewagen German for off-road vehicle
Mercedes-Benz G-Class Generations
The new G uses US model years. The two older families are shown by production years, because Mercedes didn’t officially sell the G-Class in the US until the 2002 model year, and the W460 and W463 overlapped for about a year. Pick a card to open its full guide.
1979–1991
1st generation (utility)
W46013 model years
The original G: a square, rugged 4x4 sold in Europe and elsewhere, with short and long wheelbases. The utility W461 carried the idea on.
Guide coming soon
1990–2018
1st generation (luxury)
W46329 model years
The plusher G that ran for 28 years. It reached the US officially for 2002 and got AMG power, from the G 55 to the G 63.
Guide coming soon
2019–present
2nd generation
W463A8 model years
An all-new, wider and lighter G with a modern cabin. A 2025 update brought a mild-hybrid six and the electric G 580.
Read the W463A guide →
Mercedes-Benz G-Class History
The G-Class has barely changed shape since 1979, yet it went from army truck to status symbol along the way. Here are the moments that shaped it.
- 1972 Mercedes-Benz and Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Austria sign a deal to develop an off-roader together. Work on a plant in Graz starts in 1975.
- 1979 The G is shown to the press in Toulon, France, and goes on sale in September, built in Graz.
- 1980 The Vatican gets a Popemobile based on a 230 G for Pope John Paul II’s first visit to Germany.
- 1990 The W463 arrives as a more luxurious G, with more comfort and refinement inside.
- 1993 The first AMG version, the 500 GE 6.0 AMG, appears. A year later, the range is officially renamed the G-Class.
- 2001 Magna Steyr takes over production in Graz, where every G is still built.
- 2002 Mercedes starts selling the G500 officially in the US, after years of gray-market imports.
- 2013 The six-wheeled G 63 AMG 6×6 goes on sale with 536 hp. Just over 100 were built.
- 2018 The all-new second-generation G-Class debuts at the Detroit auto show on January 14.
- 2023 The 500,000th G-Class rolls off the line in Graz in April.
- 2024 Mercedes reveals the electric G 580 with EQ Technology in April, with four motors and 579 hp.
- 2025 Mercedes confirms a new G-Class Cabriolet, including for the US. In July 2026 it teased a four-door AMG G 63 Cabriolet due in 2027.
Which G-Class Generation Is Right for You?
Which G makes sense depends on whether you want a classic, a bargain luxury 4×4 or something with modern tech and a warranty. Every G keeps three locking differentials and a low-range gearbox, so they can all go off-road. Here’s how they line up.
| Generation | Years | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| W460 and W461 | 1979–1991 | Classic utility fans; most were never sold new in the US, so check import papers |
| W463 (first generation) | 1990–2018 | The cheapest way into a luxury G; US cars run 2002–2018 |
| W463A, early | 2019–2024 | A modern cabin with V8 power in both the G 550 and G 63 |
| W463A, updated | 2025–present | Newest tech, the mild-hybrid G 550 and the electric G 580 |
Our take: if you want a G you can drive every day, a 2019-or-newer car is a huge step up in comfort, space and safety over the old one. If you love the V8 G 550, look at 2019 to 2024, because the 2025 update swapped it for a six-cylinder.
G-Class Owners Community
G-Class owners talk off-roading, AMG upgrades, maintenance costs and which generation to buy. Share your G, ask questions and swap tips with other owners.
- G 550 V8 vs the new six-cylinder
- AMG G 63 ownership and running costs
- Off-road trips and locking differentials
- Classic W460 and W463 restoration
- The electric G 580 and G-Turn
- Wheels, tires and lift kits
- Recalls and dealer service experiences
- Importing and registering older G-Wagens
Mercedes-Benz G-Class FAQ
Why is it called the G-Wagon?
G-Wagen is short for Geländewagen, German for off-road vehicle. Mercedes officially renamed the range the G-Class in 1994, but the nickname stuck.
Where is the G-Class built?
In Graz, Austria. Steyr-Daimler-Puch built it there from 1979, and Magna Steyr has built it since 2001.
How much does a G-Class cost?
For 2026 in the US, prices start around $153,900 for the G 550, $163,200 for the electric G 580 and $195,500 for the AMG G 63, before destination.
Is there an electric G-Class?
Yes. The G 580 with EQ Technology has four electric motors, a 116-kWh battery, 579 hp and 859 lb-ft of torque. It went on sale in the US as a 2025 model.
When did the G-Class come to the US?
Mercedes started selling it officially with the 2002 G500. Before that, a gray-market importer brought G-Wagens in from 1993.
Is the G-Class convertible coming back?
Yes. Mercedes has confirmed a four-door AMG G 63 Cabriolet with a fabric roof, due to launch globally in 2027 and sold in the US.
Keep Exploring
Explore the full Mercedes-Benz lineup, or see the Land Cruiser guide and what Land Rover and Jeep build for serious off-road buyers.
Photo credits
- Header image: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- White Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology,…: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Silver first-generation W463 Mercedes-Benz G 500 designo…: Norbert Aepli, Switzerland (User:Noebu), CC BY 4.0, cropped and resized.
- Dark gray 1984 Mercedes-Benz 230 GE, a…: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped and resized.