Mercedes-Benz G 450d AMG Line - G-Wagen, Diesel, Done Right

Rohit Paradkar Updated: October 21, 2025, 01:19 PM IST

With the G 450d, Mercedes-Benz now has three G-Wagen powertrains in India for a limited time. Think of the G 63 as Godzilla: loud, thirsty, and dramatic. The G 580 electric is Greta: clean and quiet (though not that silent). The new G 450d is the quietly competent middle sibling, the one you can trust the most.

And before you say, "That middle-sibling analogy doesn't work in the country of 'Hum doh, humara ek," remember - nobody with a G-Wagen has a one-car garage. Or a single-child policy.

The G 450d is wise, powerful, and still fully capable of causing chaos when pushed. It doesn't need to show off at every turn. But when the time comes, it can handle a mountain and keep going as if nothing happened.

Now, rewind a few months. I called the G 580 the best all-rounder in the G-Wagen family. Big torque, clever off-road wizardry, respectable range, and guilt-free emissions. A perfect blend, right?

Right, except nobody actually lined up to buy one.

Maybe it was the price. Maybe it was the lack of excitement. Maybe India's G-Wagen fans just aren't ready for a quieter ride. Either way, the G 580's fate is set as a limited-run experiment. That brings us to the G 450d, which has Mercedes-Benz's most powerful diesel engine ever in their most iconic body-on-frame design. It's as if they said, "Fine. You want the old ways? Here. But refined."

Design

There's still nothing like a G-Class on the road. It defies aerodynamics, but now it does so a bit more smoothly. A reshaped A-pillar and a small roof spoiler above the front windshield make it slightly more efficient, and extra insulation reduces noise and vibration. The result? The G now moves through the air with more comfort, while still looking bold.

This AMG Line version has slightly more aggressive bumpers, blacked-out trim, and 20-inch wheels that look more stylish than purely functional. The colour on our test car is nicely understated; subtle enough for official trips, but bold enough for late-night food runs. If you want more visual flair, Mercedes offers one of the widest MANUFAKTUR paint palettes in the brand, even more than the GLS or S-Class. If you're going to drive a luxury bunker, you might as well pick a sunset red or oceanic blue. But please avoid a dual-tone Maybach paint job on a G-Wagen. It just doesn't look right.

The shape still shouts luxury with a hint of menace. It has the road presence of a tank and the cabin insulation of a Swiss bank vault. The doors still close with a solid, satisfying sound. And that tailgate-mounted spare wheel? Still here, still round, and still making drivers behind you honk frantically as soon as the reverse lights come on.

Cabin

The cabin is classic G-Class: plush, filled with screens, and openly luxurious. Twin 12.3-inch displays, MBUX with its usual features, Burmester audio, and more ambient lighting than Oktoberfest are all included. What you won't find is clutter or unnecessary features. It's both purposeful and premium, which is rare in today's world of overdone design.

That said, the rear seat might be a point of discussion. It doesn't recline, legroom is limited, and getting in isn't easy. My in-laws, who judge luxury by space and comfort, weren't impressed. Though old-school, they said, "We'd rather take the GLS." And I get it - the G's back seat is for bracing, not lounging.

Powertrain

Under that massive bonnet is Mercedes' most powerful diesel engine yet: a 3.0-litre inline-six with 367PS and a strong 750Nm of torque. A 48V mild-hybrid system adds another 20PS for smoother performance, but make no mistake, it's the classic torque that stands out.

It's surprisingly quiet for a diesel and impressively quick for such a boxy car. The 9-speed automatic responds quickly, and even with its 2.5-tonne weight, the G 450d never feels slow. It moves with confidence, urgency, and ease.

While the G 580 felt focused on technology and the G 63 was almost over the top, this diesel feels just right. It's natural, almost nostalgic. It doesn't try to impress you; it simply does.

Ride & Handling

Even with 20-inch wheels, the G 450d rides much better than the G 63. There's less bouncing, less movement over bumps, and an overall more refined feel. The suspension isn't perfectly smooth, but for a tough, ladder-frame SUV, it's impressively comfortable.

Of course, the steering is still vague by Mercedes-Benz standards. But that's par for the course with the G. It's not pretending to be anything it's not.

At low speeds, it still feels huge. The turning radius isn't easy. But cameras and sensors help, and so does the fact that people tend to move out of its way.

Off-Roading

This might be the calmest G-Class, but that doesn't mean it's soft. It still has all the off-road features: low range, locking differentials, and a tough build.

We didn't go rock crawling or dune bashing, but over loose gravel, slushy trails, and steep climbs, the G 450d barely breaks a sweat. Throttle response is excellent, the traction is unshakeable, and the whole thing feels like it's bored with the terrain and looking for something tougher.

It's reassuring to know the G still has that go-anywhere DNA, even if most buyers are headed to brunch rather than the Badlands.

So Who's It For?

If the G 63 is for people who love attention and extreme performance, and the G 580 is for quiet, eco-conscious drivers who value technology, then the G 450d is for those who want practical strength, efficiency, and balance. It's the G-Wagen that makes the most sense for your head, heart, and even your wallet. And while Rs 2.9 crore (ex-showroom) isn't a small ask, by the time you read this review, all the initially-allocated 50 units will probably be sold out.

It doesn't shout. It doesn't pretend. It simply delivers torque, comfort, presence, and authenticity in equal measure. This is the G-Class at its purest, refined and, dare I say, perfected for daily use.

Even if it won't help you make friends with your rear-seat passengers.

This is the G-Wagen at its most honest. The one that doesn't try to overachieve, yet ends up impressing the most. It isn't chasing Nürburgring lap times or carbon neutrality hashtags - it's just doing what the G-Class always did best. Only better.

And while I once crowned the G 580 as the best all-rounder of the lot, reality - and the sales charts - had other plans. Turns out, silence isn't golden when your customers want thunder.

So here we are. Greta made sense. Godzilla made headlines. But this diesel is the middle child who truly understands the family business, with no drama, just purpose.

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