2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The 2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class may look like an old-school military vehicle on the outside, but it proves one should never judge a book by its cover. The G stands for Geländewagen (or cross-country vehicle), and that is exactly what it is, but with the luxury of a Mercedes-Benz. Although the body style of the G-Class has not changed since its introduction as a military vehicle in the late 1970’s, the rest of it absolutely has. Its boxy design makes the G-Class very functional, allowing for more interior space, outside views and a more open cabin feel.
The G-Class's single trim, the G550, comes to life with a 5.5-liter, 8-cylinder engine that generates 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. This powerhouse of a motor is slimmed down by the implementation of an aluminum block, which also increases its performance and durability. The 7-speed automatic transmission is one of the most versatile on the market and designed for any driving you may encounter. It also plays a part in increasing fuel efficiency. It is equipped with the Touch Shift system, which allows for manual shifting when you want to indulge in the sportiest side of the G550. All this power does have a price, as mileage is somewhat on the low side with a not-so-attractive 12 mpg city/15 highway rating.
The G-Class combines the confidence of its off-road capability with equally comfortable driving on pavement. The vehicle's 8-inch road clearance combined with an almost identical wheel travel makes the G550 able to handle any rough off-road conditions you may encounter. The stability and durability of its suspension offers the same comfort on paved roads as well. The G-Class comes equipped with 18-inch twin-5-spoke alloy wheels, which are not only lightweight and sporty, but also tough enough for its off-road endeavors. The cargo space in the G-Class is more than ample with 79.5 cubic feet behind the first row of seating and 45.2 behind the second row. Even with all that cargo space, the G550 still seats 5 comfortably.
The interior of the G-Class almost makes you forget it was ever a military-grade vehicle. The interior boasts Premium leather upholstery that is hand fitted. All seats in the G-Class have heat available, with the front seats having the addition of Active Ventilation to cool the seats in warmer temperatures. The interior continues the luxury with complementary wood inserts as well as a leather and wood multifunction heated steering wheel that gives you fingertip access to audio controls, your Bluetooth and the dash readout menu.
Mercedes-Benz takes safety seriously, and this is very evident in the G-Class. A standard 8-way airbag system provides protection for every passenger with front, side and curtain airbags. From rain-sensing windshield wipers to automatic tire pressure monitoring and a rear-view camera, the G550 alerts you to any issue that may affect the safety of you or your passengers.
Owners of the G-Class have many more positives than negatives when it comes to their vehicle. On the positive side, most owners are impressed with the power and unique look of the vehicle along with its off-road capability. They like its immense cargo space and the open feel of the interior. On the negative side, they find the vehicle somewhat louder than they would expect and the gas mileage unimpressive. Overall, owners find it a safe, fun and luxurious vehicle that they are thrilled to own.
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2012 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Memory card slot auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 12 · 610 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo cover: retractable · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo net · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 4.38 · Locking differential: rear · Transfer Case: electronic
Exterior Features
Brush guard: for headlights · Door handle color: black · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: side-hinged · Running boards: stainless steel
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlight cleaners: heated · Headlights: cornering
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: outside
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear suspension type: trailing arms
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: TeleAid
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Spare tire size: full-size matching · Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Towing and Hauling
Tow hooks: front
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: with washer