Without doing much to change the exterior, Mercedes-Benz has completely changed the G-Class sport utility by gutting and redesigning its interior from the floorboards up.
Bringing the G-Wagon into the Mercedes fold to become more in line with the automaker’s interior luxury, Mercedes-Benz went all out in their redesign. The interior has elements which mimic the exterior’s straight lines and square body, keeping the iconic look going as a theme. Most everything else has changed, though.
Materials quality is much higher with the new breed of Benz offerings in leather and chrome being added to the G. Instruments are more high-visibility and a classic analog-digital mix, keeping the round-shaped gauges found in previous-generation G-Class vehicles while adding a digital element with a large driver information display and steering-mounted controls.
At the center of the dash are not one but two 12.3-inch displays for infotainment. Burmester sound is offered as an upgrade from the base audio, of course, and infotainment options include the COMAND system with its latest upgrades.
The G-Class does change in size a bit, which adds legroom to the front and, most welcome, in the rear. About an in and a half for the driver and front passenger and nearly six inches for the second row occupants. Shoulder and elbow room are also improved throughout the cabin.
Mercedes-Benz has also added equipment packages to the G-Class SUV: Exclusive Interior and Exclusive Interior Plus.
“The Exclusive Interior is available in a range of seven colors. Three of these are elegant combinations of nappa leather in black and one of the designo manufaktur colors Platinum White, Yacht Blue or Classic Red. The package also includes a black designo roof liner in DINAMICA microfiber, along with air vents in silvershadow. The Exclusive Interior Plus comprises additional elements in Nappa leather such as the door trim, sections of the center console, the instrument panel and all the upholstery. A particular feature here is the seat design with dynamic diamond- pattern quilting. With this package, customers have a choice between the designo shades of Black, Espresso Brown and Classic Red. For the first time it is also possible to order a light-colored interior throughout, in Macchiato Beige – encompassing everything from the flooring to the roof liner.”
The new Mercedes-Benz G-Class will be fully unveiled in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January and will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2018.
