2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Although initially targeted for discontinuation by the end of the decade, the G-Class continues to roll on, thanks to its popularity with offroad enthusiasts and the fact that Mercedes-Benz maintains a number of long-term military contracts for the G-Class, which began its life essentially as a military vehicle.
After receiving an update in 2007, which included a new transmission, steering wheel, instrument cluster, headlights, and taillights, the G-Class changes little for 2008. Nearing its 30th year in production, it still retains its straight-up, squarish retro design, as well as its extensive offroad capabilities and a long list of standard luxury-oriented features.
Drivers can choose from two trims for 2008. The G500 comes equipped with a responsive 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 292 horsepower. The engine links to a seven-speed automatic transmission that automatically adjusts shift points, depending on the driver's style. In addition, the driver can manually upshift or downshift by nudging the shift lever left or right.
To ensure its offroad ruggedness, the G-Class includes a four-wheel-drive system with front, rear, and center locking differentials, all activated by the driver, making it one of only a few SUVs available with three locking differentials. A four-wheel Electronic Traction System and an Electronic Stability Program also come standard.
Exterior features for the G500 include an electrically heated windshield, heated power mirrors, bi-xenon headlights with heated washers, and front and rear tow hooks. Inside, the G500 comes equipped with such features as leather seating, heated front seats, a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, Burl Walnut wood trim, and a DVD navigation system.
Pumping up the power, the brawny G55 AMG adds a hand-built, supercharged 493-horsepower V8, as well as twin chrome sidepipes, a multicontour driver's seat, hand-polished "designo" wood trim, a Harmon/Kardon digital sound system, and a sport suspension and styling cues designed by AMG, Mercedes' in-house sport tuner.
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2008 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 · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · CD changer: 6 · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Remote CD changer location: in cargo area · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.3 · Front brake width: 1.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.7 · Rear brake width: 0.4 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo net · 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
Grille color: chrome · Rear trunk/liftgate: side-hinged
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: cornering
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 40-60 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: remote operation · Sunroof: power steel
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear
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
Spare Wheel
Rim type: aluminum alloy
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear suspension type: trailing arms · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Satellite communications: TeleAid
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Spare tire size: full-size matching
Towing and Hauling
Tow hooks: front
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · CD changer: 6 · Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Remote CD changer location: in cargo area · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 13.8 · Front brake width: 1.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brake width: 0.9 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: wood · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo net · 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: grille · Rear trunk/liftgate: side-hinged
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 40-60 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: remote operation · Sunroof: power steel
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Mount Location: outside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim type: aluminum alloy
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Front Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear suspension type: trailing arms · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Satellite communications: TeleAid
Tires
Type: performance
Towing and Hauling
Tow hooks: rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: intermittent