Talk about a change of image. The original Mercedes G-Wagen had its origins in a vehicle designed to be tough and rugged, to get the German military from here to there as the crow drives, through rough country without being fazed.
Over time, that image has completely altered, and the vehicle was seen as super-cool by many people with the money to spare, including footballers, TV stars and the like.
So when the time came to replace it, Mercedes naturally stuck with what it knew, and the second-generation car (2018-2024) had almost identical looks, plus the same go-anywhere ability and sheer strength. All of which makes this a very attractive used car for towing a caravan if you’re regularly hitching up.
What’s a used Mercedes G-Class like inside?
For a start, the view out is superb, as the G-Class has a huge, upright glass area, which makes you feel like you’re driving a greenhouse. It’s impressively roomy, too, although other super-luxury SUVs do offer more space.
Whether you’re buying a new or used car, the boot can be an important factor. Here, the boot is enormous, with 667 litres when all five seats are in use and 1246 litres when the rear seats are folded down, but it is accessed through a side-hinged tailgate that can be awkward in tight car parks. More tricky still, the hinge is on the left side of the rear door, which means loading the car at the roadside is rather more difficult than would be ideal.
However, the interior will make you feel special about being in the Mercedes, simply because it is so luxurious.
As you’d expect, it’s full of soft leather and high-quality surfaces, and it also has an infotainment system that’s second to none, with DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Add a pair of towing mirrors and one of the best caravan sat navs, and you’ll be well on your way to a comfortable experience on the road.
How does a used Mercedes G-Class drive?
The G-Class may look the same as the original G-Wagen from the 1970s, but they could not be more different in how they drive. At launch, the G-Class was available with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel, or a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol.
Given that the hot petrol model has economy similar to that of a Saturn V rocket, we’ll focus on the diesel. The G350 d is strong and smooth – it has 282bhp and 443lb ft of torque, and gives the G-Class a real turn of speed. It makes the big Mercedes a seriously capable tow car, too, because it barely notices even a large, heavy caravan behind it, giving you plenty of freedom when you’re looking at the car/caravan matching.
It also remains supremely stable in any towing condition, whether that’s passing lorries on a blustery motorway or dealing with twisty country roads near campsites.
The fact that the towing paraphernalia is standard, as is a towing mode for the stability control, undoubtedly helps. An electric handbrake means hill starts are a doddle, too.
However, although the diesel is more economical than the V8 petrol, it’s no eco-wagon. It has the aerodynamics of a house, so you should expect an average economy figure of around 26mpg in normal driving, 21mpg when towing.
In 2020, the engine was given more power and torque, and renamed the G400 d.
What will a Mercedes G-Class tow?
- Kerbweight: 2453kg
- Towing limit: 3500kg
- Noseweight limit: 140kg
- 85% match: 2085kg
Running costs
- Insurance group: 50
- Annual VED: £620 for first five years of vehicle’s life, then rate drops to £195
- Average economy: 25.9mpg
- Interim/full service: £219
Servicing price supplied by Servicing Stop, 0844 324 5262, servicingstop.co.uk
Trouble spots
The Mercedes G-Class has been recalled on more occasions than the brand (or the car’s owners) might find ideal. More than 10,000 examples were recalled because the emergency call system didn’t meet requirements, then a faulty differential control module forced a recall of 904 cars.
After that, 15,652 models were recalled because of faulty seatbelt buckles.
You can see the full list of recalls at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk.
What to pay for a used Mercedes G-Class
- High: price: £129,998; year; 2024; model: Mercedes G400 d AMG Line Premium Plus; miles: 9000
- Sweet spot: price: £95,995; year: 2019; model: Mercedes G350 d AMG Line Premium; miles: 35,500
- Low: price: £79,995; year: 2018; model: Mercedes G350 d AMG Line Premium; miles: 85,000
Verdict
There’s no getting away from the fact the Mercedes G350 d is expensive to buy and run. It will guzzle fuel, and parts and servicing won’t be cheap. But if you want a luxurious tow car that won’t be bullied by any tourer, there are few finer.
For those who are after a different type of tow car, take a look at our pick of the standout French cars for pulling a caravan.
Alternatives to consider
Used Mercedes-Benz GLE
The GLE offers a luxurious towing experience too, so long as you have the budget for it. With a roomy and comfortable interior, it’s well-equipped and one that also has fair running costs.
Used Audi Q7 (2015-present)
The Audi Q7 is the grandfather of the class – it’s a decade old, but is still around for one main reason – it’s competitive.
The Q7 is fabulously capable as a tow car, because its engines are strong and smooth, its transmission is silky, and it has space (and seating) for seven. Full of cutting-edge technology and available for (comparatively) bargain prices, it’s worth a look.
Used Land Rover Defender (2020-present)
If ever there was a tough gig to follow, it was the original Defender. But the new car has moved everything on enormously, and retained some of the old-school styling in the process. It is superb off the beaten track and feels classy, spacious and modern inside, and its towing abilities are second to none. Indeed, it has a towball weight of 150kg, 10kg more than the G-Class.
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