Mercedes G-Class G400d review: ‘the best version of the best off-roader’

Is this as good as I suspect it is?

Better. It’s the best version of the best off-roader there is.

Hang about. That’s a big call – the best off-roader there is? Better than a Land Rover Defender? A Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler?

OK, it all depends on how you approach these things. But every time I get in a G-Wagen (I still can’t get the hang of calling it a G-Class), it feels right, ready for anything. Inside, having slammed the door at least twice, you feel impregnable. The sense of reassurance and confidence it brings is unlike anything else. And then you start throwing jobs at it – proper jobs – and it never gives you any cause for even the slightest concern. Do you do much towing? In many cars because the towbar is bolted to the rear chassis, the trailer can rattle noisily (especially if it’s empty). Not here. Barely aware of having anything on tow at all. Even when it weighed close to as much as the G itself. It just rumbles along, never giving the impression it’s finding the work tiring in the least.

But surely the G63…
Let me stop you there. It’s OTT. The G63’s twin turbo V8 shifts the G down a different path, not only in terms of its clientele, but how the chassis and powertrain work together. It’s too much speed for the car, too eager to deliver noise and power, too overwhelming for a chassis designed to work not play. Brilliantly daft, but if you want harmony, you need the diesel.

Diesel!?
At the moment at least. It remains to be seen how the production version of the recently announced EQG will turn out, but let’s hope it’s nothing like the Isaac Asimov-inspired, space-age imagery of the concept. The EQG has potential as it keeps the ladder frame chassis and gives each wheel its own electric motor.

_{^{Full Article: https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/g-class-diesel-station-wagon-2019/first-drive}}