The G500's square-box styling is almost unchanged from the first prototype Mercedes designed in 1976, with flat glass and flat body panels. Exposed door hinges underscore the utility image, but when you close any door it sounds like you closed a bank vault. The heavy-duty latches are designed to shed sand from trips through the Sahara, and the ribbed, thick steel panels successfully resist vibration. Because the G500 is relatively tall, it gives you the impression it's larger than it's compact SUV dimensions reveal.

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If you get down on hands and knees and examine the separate ladder frame, you'll find it's a box section (the strongest type) with seam welds that would please an aircraft inspector. Even though it's the size of a compact truck, it weighs the same as a full-size truck, and so its suspension control arms, axles and attachment points are as beefy as those on a monster truck.



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