Mercedes-Benz G 450d AMG Line first drive review: The practical “G”?

Not long ago, if you wanted a diesel G-Wagen in India, you had exactly one option – the G 400d Adventure Edition. It wasn’t exactly the gentleman’s G; it had a ladder at the back, a roof rack, and huge mud flaps – more jungle safari than a black tie dinner. But now a cleaner version is available, both in looks and environmentally.

Today, the G-Class family has exploded into three avatars: the thunderous G 63 AMG, the G 580 electric, and now, the G 450d AMG Line – a return to diesel power, but with a very modern twist.

This is the G that claims to balance it all – power, refinement, and everyday civility – without diluting the G’s identity. It’s not the wildest one, not the quietest one, but quite possibly the most complete one.

Mercedes-Benz G 450d AMG Line design

The G 450d looks unmistakably like a G-Wagen, and that’s definitely deliberate. The classic silhouette works wonders – round headlights, fender-mounted indicators, a muscular front, oversized door handles, and that signature mechanical sound when you shut the doors. Nothing else sounds or feels quite like it. But there are subtle changes. The front grille, for instance, now features horizontal silver slats, similar to those on the electric G 580. The front and rear bumpers have been slightly redesigned, too, bringing a bit more finesse.

As an AMG Line variant, you get AMG-specific wheels – not the same as the G 63’s, but distinct enough to maintain hierarchy. The proportions still look massive from every angle, and in this shade of Rubellite Red, it’s simply gorgeous. Under streetlights, the paint glows, highlighting every edge and crease of that iconic boxy body. Take it anywhere, and it turns into street theatre. Heads swivel. Phones come out. The sheer presence makes everyone around take notice. But the real magic is in the driving.

Mercedes-Benz G 450d AMG Line interior

And you can sense it the way you get into the G. There’s no grab handle, so you hoist yourself up using the steering wheel or jump into the seat. By the way, this is also the first generation of the G-Class to get keyless entry. Once you are inside, the experience feels mechanical owing to the many buttons across the dashboard. The interior layout remains largely unchanged, but AMG Line means you get carbonfibre bits, dual-tone upholstery via Manufaktur options, and subtle improvements that lift the experience. The new steering wheel, borrowed from newer Mercs, feels more contemporary – though it doesn’t get the AMG rotary dial for mode changes. Speaking of modes, there are Sport, Comfort, Eco, Individual and now, three more terrain modes – Trail, Rock and Sand. The Burmester 3D surround system comes standard and sounds phenomenal. Since this is part of the new-gen, you also have touchscreen infotainment with the latest MBUX OS and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Mercedes has also expanded the ADAS suite here, adding Active Braking Assist, which, from my time with it, feels a bit more proactive than necessary – braking early, even when you wouldn’t. It also tightens the seatbelt quite abruptly, so beware. Thankfully, all of this can be switched off, and once you do, the G becomes far less intrusive and more natural to drive.

Down below the main screen, you’ll now find the relocated manual gearing button and low-range selector, sitting beside the three diff-lock switches and the new Off-Road Cockpit button. Tap it, and you’re met with a suite of data – tyre pressure, engine and oil temperature, suspension compression, diff-lock status, steering angle, and the electric G’s Transparent Hood function, which uses the front camera to show what’s directly under the car. Between that, the commanding seating position, and the tall glasshouse, visibility is exceptional. At 5’10”, I could easily see over most cars – it’s almost a bird’s-eye view of traffic.

Mercedes-Benz G 450d AMG Line driving impressions

Let’s get to the heart first. Under the hood is a 3-litre inline-six diesel, producing 362bhp and a monstrous 750Nm of torque. Compared to the G 400, it makes 50Nm and around 40bhp more. Add to that a 48V mild-hybrid system that provides an extra 20bhp and 205Nm torque, and you’ve got something that will leave the traffic in the dust.

My first stint behind the wheel was late at night. Driving at low speeds, the diesel hums softly. It’s refined, almost too polite. You get that familiar diesel growl under load, but it’s mostly hushed, and I’d even call it uninspiring compared to the G 63’s thunder. But on the other hand, it drives comfortably and confidently in the city, without any of the V8’s drama. Compared to this, the G 63 is definitely ‘aggressive’. Maybe even a bit too fast for such a car. And that’s why the diesel here seems like the smarter choice. The improved cabin insulation is noticeable, too, in the city with only faint traces of the outside world seeping in. And not that it matters, but I did manage 8kmpl, proof that the mild-hybrid system helps.

Obviously, that ladder-frame chassis and off-road focus mean it’s not as plush as a GLS. And by missing out on the active suspension from the new G 63, it’s also not as settled and has more body roll. But even in its current form, the balance between firmness and comfort is pretty good. You feel the bumps, the undulations, the weight shifting – but it never feels unsettled. At low speeds, there’s mild jiggle, but at higher speeds, it hunkers down beautifully.

Which is what I noticed during the drive to our shoot location. With sunlight pouring in and open roads ahead, the G 450d had space to stretch its legs. There’s a slight lag when you press the throttle – a half-second pause before it pounces – but once it does, there’s no stopping this beast. The 48V assist fills in torque, and with the smooth 9-speed gearbox, 0-100kmph comes up in 5.8 seconds. That’s half a second faster than the old G 400d. Top speed is 210kmph, same as before, but plenty for a vehicle shaped like a wardrobe. The steering has reassuring weight, and the diesel’s torque gives it effortless pace. It feels mature, powerful, and properly engineered.

Off-road, this thing is a revelation. I did a bit of trail work, nothing extreme, and the G just dismissed it all – ruts, rocks, inclines, it went over everything with ease. Here’s where the legacy comes out. You feel the mechanicals working, the suspension flexing, the drivetrain putting down power, tyres digging in. It’s never nervous, never fragile. The chassis compliance gives you growing confidence until you start to feel almost invincible.

Mercedes-Benz G 450d AMG Line price and verdict

Driving this car is nothing like you would have experienced before, and slowly but surely, you understand the reasons why people love it so much. Some of the appeal is obviously down to social media, but after driving it, a lot of it makes sense, and you can’t not appreciate what Mercedes has built here.

At ₹2.9 crore (ex-showroom), it’s undeniably expensive. Too much? Possibly. But the first 50 units of the launch batch will (or already have) sell out instantly – because there’s simply no price for legacy or emotions.

As for this model itself, the G 450d AMG Line isn’t the loudest G, nor the most luxurious, but it might just be the most usable, most balanced version of the icon. It blends the indestructibility of the old diesel with the polish of modern Mercedes luxury. It’s big, it’s expensive, and it’s utterly irresistible. The G, for sure, has grown up – but it hasn’t gone soft.