New Car Review of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz G500 and G55 AMG Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle.

Description: Full-Size SUV
Base MSRP Range: $76,150 - $92,700
Invoice Price Range: $70,820 - $86,211

From a Mercedes assembly plant in Graz, Austria, the hand-crafted G Class wagon rolls out in limited numbers as no-compromise off-road SUV capable of venturing far away from pavement where conventional 4WD vehicles dare not tread.

G500 carries every mechanical armament -- a full-time 4WD system, traction control, vehicle stability system, three differential locks (center plus rear and front), anti-lock brakes and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) -- then flexes muscle from the Mercedes 5.0-liter V8.

Despite a rugged exterior design and the hardware of an ultimate off-road warrior, the G500 has a cabin lined with luxurious appointments like leather-clad seats and trim in burl walnut wood. Multi-contour seats are now standard on 2004 models, along with new audio gear by Harman Kardon.