2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class vs 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known for its iconic boxy design, was a blend of ruggedness and luxury. Its straight-edged, two-box design was a nod to its military origins, yet it had become a status symbol among the elite. The G-Class offered a retro exterior that stood out in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, with a hand-built construction in Graz, Austria. Inside, the G-Class featured a sophisticated design with a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and a matching virtual instrument panel, allowing for a customizable and ambient cabin experience. Despite its luxurious appeal, the G-Class remained a capable off-road machine, often seen in bold custom colors and adorned with extravagant features.

In contrast, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander showcased a bold front styling with its "Dynamic Shield" grille, offering a balanced and appealing design from front to rear. Available in multiple trims, the Outlander featured standard or optional 20-inch wheels and a price range from $25,795 to $35,345. The SEL trim, equipped with AWD and the Touring Package, boasted premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with authentic aluminum accents and gloss black trim, though some interior plastics reminded of its compact crossover segment. Despite its quirks, the Outlander aimed to provide a comfortable and upscale experience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550 was a powerhouse with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine producing 416 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. Despite its hefty curb weight of 5,551 pounds, the G550 was surprisingly quick, reaching 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and permanent 4WD, with Dynamic Select driving programs, including "G-mode" for off-roading. The G550's suspension system combined a sporting front with a rugged rear, offering a supple ride on pavement and impressive off-road capabilities. The AMG G63 variant took performance further with 577 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. However, its fuel economy was a downside, with ratings of 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway/18 mpg combined for the G550.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It used a CVT to power the front wheels, with an optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. The Outlander offered multiple driving modes, but its performance was underwhelming, especially at higher speeds or during acceleration. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was firm, leading to a brittle ride on imperfect roads. Despite these drawbacks, the Outlander managed a fuel economy of 24.9 mpg, slightly below its EPA rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550 was both luxurious and practical, with a cargo capacity of 38.1 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 68.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. It had a payload capacity of over 1,000 pounds and could tow up to 7,700 pounds. The front cabin was spacious, with ample storage and a tall roofline providing excellent headroom. The second row offered comfortable seating for three adults, with a 60/40 split-folding design. However, some luxury features, like ventilated front seats, were only available in expensive packages, and the G550 lacked hands-free access for the tailgate.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats and steering wheel. The controls were intuitive, and the displays, including the digital instrumentation and HUD, were impressive. However, the center console had wasted space, limiting storage options. The rear seat was generous, with good thigh support and sliding capability for more cargo space. The third-row seat was cramped, suitable only for children, and limited cargo capacity to 11.7 cubic feet. Folding it down increased capacity to 33.5 cubic feet, with a maximum of 79.7 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550 featured twin 12.3-inch HD screens for the instrument panel and infotainment, offering customizable layouts and colors. The Burmester Surround Sound system enhanced the immersive experience, while the COMAND system provided intuitive control via unique Touch Control buttons on the steering wheel. The G550 included a rear-seat entertainment system, multiple USB and 12-volt outlets, and standard WiFi, though it lacked wireless device charging. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with Mercedes me connect services for three years.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package stood out with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay, a two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect services, and a 10-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise, affecting its performance while driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550 offered a sense of safety with its rugged construction and mass, though it posed risks to pedestrians and smaller vehicles. It included standard safety systems like a rearview camera, Pre-Safe, traffic-sign assist, attention assist, active lane-keeping assist, active brake assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, the active lane-keeping assist was intrusive, requiring careful understanding. The G-Class had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, offering smooth and accurate performance. It included forward collision avoidance, safe reversing, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. The steering assistance was intrusive without Mi-Pilot Assist, requiring deactivation through the touchscreen. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.