Jeep Wrangler Rubicon vs Mercedes G550 - Dressed-Up or Bare-Chest Off-Roading

Just like the Jeep the G class was developed for military use
1979 marked the first year it was offered as a civilian vehicle so last year was its 40th
The G wagon is the longest running model at Mercedes aside from the unimog
Biggest diff between the Jeep is the twin turbo 4 liter v8
Sounds like AMG, but not handmade and only 416 hp ad 450 lbft
Power goes through a Mercedes built 7 speed auto
Then goes to the drive train through a permanent 50:50 torque split AWD
What this results in is a kind of clumsy feeling for power delivery. Lots of power, no balance
Ultimately behind the wheel it reminds me of a tall muscle car from 10 years ago
Brutally powerful, but be careful turning - feels like driving a building

Like I mentioned, with the G, the Wrangler was developed as a military vehicle for WWII
The first gen Wrangler didn’t come into production until 1986
However, you could easily say the CJ was the original Wrangler w/o the nameplate (44-86)
Since the mid 80s the Wrangler has seen 4 generations (YJ, TJ, JK, and now JL)
Since it started as a pretty strictly off-road vehicle it was pretty terrible on the road
Really fun experience with the doors off and something you can’t get anywhere else
Jeep is famous for the use of their pentastar 3.6L V6 which is the base mill (285 hp)
You can now get a more powerful turbo 4
You can also have a manual gearbox
Power goes to a selectable part-time AWD system with a lever in the cabin
It’s not like this SUV is fast as it’s got about half the torque of the Merc
But it is much more settled on the road than ever before - road trip worthy now

Its base engine is a turbo v8 with double the torque of the Wrangler - better climber
It’s got a low range gear box and hill descent control
However, the most compelling thing about the G is it’s 3 locking diffs - rock crawling
THE AMG is much worse off road due to body work and the side exit exhaust
The G has symmetrical approach and departure angles at 30 degrees
Tilt maxes out at over 28 degrees and this can swim almost 2 feet deep

While the G wagon does a lot electronically, the Wrangler is much more mechanical
You mechanically select low range
You mechanically select drive wheels
You still push a button to lock your axels, but you don’t have the same control
Approach angles 44 degrees for rubicon (most capable rock crawl focused)
Departure angle is 37 degrees
30 inches water fording

The Wrangler is rugged from every angle, it’s not pretending to be anything
It’s got a classic, iconic, and an easily identifiable shape
From the over 10 inch ride height and the mile between the tire and the fender everything says offroad
There are some differences for the JL
Lights on the fenders
Headlights dipping into the grill
Gill-like area behind the fender
And updated taillights to name just a few
Moving inside you get a much more dramatic update to the cabin
Updated gauges
New steering wheel
New head unit, dash, and shifter
If you’ve never been in a Wrangler before prepare yourself to sit close to the windshield than you ever have before
You still have grab handles everywhere including the tormenting passenger glovebox area
In terms of fit and finish, the leather option is nice and water resistant in case you need to hose it out
Comfort is improved, but still doesnt touch the Mercedes
Finally, this is the Wrangler unlimited which means you get 4 doors and your passengers dont sit in the trunk - However, don’t let the extra doors fool you, it’s tight back there

Whereas the Wrangler steers into its history as a rough and rugged utility SUV, the G550 has taken its over 40 years and went to finishing school
From the exterior they havent done a lot to change the iconic shape, but they have added things to class it up
Chrome grille bar
More integrated fenders
Fixed roof
And LED lights bring this G into the modern era
The real place you’re going to see your money go to work is where you spend all your time; the cabin
Leather
Burshed aluminum
And wood are thrown around the cabin to remind you you’re in a Mercedes
However, even though these products are only 3 years apart the Mercedes tech looks like it’s from the early 2000s, cuz it kinda is (2019 was a full refresh and took care of that issue)
Comfort is one thing you wont be lacking here, the seats are fantastic with heat and cool
You have headroom for miles which also makes this a terror in a corner
But when it comes to back seats, it’s about the same as the wrangler - short friends only

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