2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The Mercedes-Benz G-Class receives a bump in power for 2009 and a change in nomenclature, as the G500 morphs into the G550, reflecting its new, more powerful engine. In addition, the G-Class receives a new three-bar polished chrome grille, which melds nicely with the rest of the G-Class's rugged look. Other than that, the G-Class changes little for 2009. Nearing its 30th year in production, it retains its straight-up, squarish, classic design, which has appealed to off-road adventurers for decades. It also retains its extensive off-road capabilities, as well as a long list of standard luxury-oriented features sure to make spirited off-roading just a little more pleasurable.
The German automaker offers two G-Class trims for 2009. The rebadged G550 comes equipped with a new 5.5-liter, double-overhead-cam V8 engine, which produces 382 hp, an increase of 90 hp over the previous year's 5.0-liter, 292-hp V8. The V8 produces 391 lb-ft of torque, with 75 percent of peak torque available at just 1,000 RPM, resulting in impressive low-end acceleration. The engine links to a seven-speed automatic transmission with closely spaced gears, ensuring smooth acceleration and better overall response, as well as improved fuel efficiency on the highway, according to Mercedes. The transmission includes the Touch Shift feature, which enables drivers to manually downshift or upshift by tapping the shift lever left or right.
The G550 also receives new 18-inch twin five-spoke wheels for 2009, as well as an upgraded COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data) system, which makes it easy for drivers to control audio, video, Bluetooth wireless calling, and an optional navigation system using a 6.5-inch color LCD screen and steering-wheel-mounted controls.
Exterior features for the 2009 G550 include an electrically heated windshield, heated power mirrors, bi-xenon headlights with heated washers, and front and rear tow hooks. Inside, the G550 comes equipped with such features as heated front and rear leather seats, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, a heated wood-and-leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, Burl Walnut wood trim, and a Harman Kardon audio system with a six-disc CD changer.
The sportier and more powerful G55 AMG also receives a bump in power, thanks to its hand-built, supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine, which now produces 500 hp, up from 493 hp the previous year. The engine generates a whopping 516 lb-ft of torque at 6,100 RPM. Standard features for the G55 AMG include "designo" leather upholstery, designo wood trim on the dashboard and steering wheel, a multicontour driver's seat, an AMG-designed instrument cluster, a sport suspension, and styling cues designed by AMG, Mercedes' in-house sport tuner.
To ensure its off-road 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. Antilock brakes, a four-wheel Electronic Traction System, and an Electronic Stability Program also come standard on the 2009 G-Class trims.
User reviews for 2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
Write a review2009 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 · 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 brake diameter: 12.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 10.7 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: wood · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · 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: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · 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: front · Transfer Case: electronic
Exterior Features
Brush guard: for headlights · Rear trunk/liftgate: side-hinged · Running boards: stainless steel
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlight cleaners: heated · Headlights: Auto off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: remote operation
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
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 · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: TeleAid
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Spare tire size: full-size matching
Towing and Hauling
Tow hooks: rear
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: with washer
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 · 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 brake diameter: 13.8 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: wood · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: stainless steel · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Cargo cover: retractable · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power driver seat · Memorized settings: audio system · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · 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: front · Transfer Case: electronic
Exterior Features
Brush guard: grille · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Rear trunk/liftgate: side-hinged · Running boards: stainless steel
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlight cleaners: heated · Headlights: Auto on
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: remote operation
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
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 · Size: full-size
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 Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear suspension type: trailing arms · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: TeleAid
Tires
Type: all season
Towing and Hauling
Tow hooks: rear
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation · Rear wiper: with washer
