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Mercedes G-Class vs VW Golf Variant comparison

Compare performance (605 HP vs 204 HP), boot space and price (106,600 £ vs 28,800 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Mercedes G-Class or VW Golf Variant?

Mercedes G-Class vs VW Golf Variant: Key differences

Mercedes G-Class

  • substantially more power
  • clearly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • barely more trunk space
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VW Golf Variant

  • considerably cheaper
  • clearly more efficient
  • considerably lighter
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By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

G-Class

Costs and Efficiency:

Price and efficiency are key factors when choosing a car – and this is often where the real differences emerge.

VW Golf Variant is considerably cheaper – starting at 28,800 £ , while the Mercedes G-Class costs 106,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 77,743 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the VW Golf Variant uses 4.3 L/100km and is clearly more efficient than the Mercedes G-Class with 8.7 L/100km. The difference is about 4.4 L/100km.

Golf Variant

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Mercedes G-Class offers substantially more power – delivering 605 HP compared to 204 HP. That’s roughly 401 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Mercedes G-Class is clearly quicker – completing the sprint in 4.4 s, while the VW Golf Variant takes 6.5 s. That’s about 2.1 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Mercedes G-Class delivers significantly more torque with 1,164 Nm compared to 360 Nm. That’s about 804 Nm more.

G-Class

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf Variant is considerably lighter – 1,366 kg compared to 2,485 kg. The difference is around 1,119 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Mercedes G-Class offers barely more boot space – 640 L compared to 611 L. That’s a difference of about 29 L.

When it comes to payload, the Mercedes G-Class carries visibly more – 715 kg compared to 547 kg. That’s a difference of about 168 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Mercedes G-Class is slightly ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £106,600
G-Class

Mercedes G-Class

  • Engine Type Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Electric
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Drive Type All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 387 - 605 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 8.7 - 14.7 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km 28 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 479 km
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Mercedes G-Class
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Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Mercedes G-Class

The G-Class, often called the G‑Wagen, is a blocky icon that blends unapologetic off-road prowess with a plush, modern cabin, announcing your arrival before you even step out. It’s equally at home crawling over rocks or cruising city streets, and owning one feels like adopting a very expensive, very capable personality.

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Reviews Mercedes G-Class

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VW Golf Variant

The Golf Estate packs Volkswagen's familiar poise into a practical, grown-up estate that quietly makes everyday life easier without shouting for attention. It's clever, comfortable and roomy enough for weekend kit or family chaos, offering smart packaging and refined manners that make it a sensible and surprisingly stylish choice for buyers who need space but don't want a van.

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DB2021AU00641_medium
DB2021AU00910_medium

Reviews VW Golf Variant

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Mercedes G-Class
VW Golf Variant

Costs and Consumption
Price
106,600 - 171,000 £
Price
28,800 - 38,800 £
Consumption L/100km
8.7 - 14.7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 7 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
28 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
479 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 336 g/km
co2
114 - 159 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Off-Roader
Body Type
Estate
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
2,485 - 3,085 kg
Curb weight
1,366 - 1,551 kg
Trunk capacity
640 L
Trunk capacity
611 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,931 - 1,984 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
115 - 715 kg
Payload
509 - 547 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Diesel MHEV, Electric
Engine Type
Petrol, Petrol MHEV, Diesel
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Automatic Gearbox, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drive Type
All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
387 - 605 HP
Power HP
116 - 204 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.4 - 5.8 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
6.5 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
760 - 1,164 Nm
Torque
220 - 360 Nm
Number of Cylinders
6 - 8
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
285 - 445 kW
Power kW
85 - 150 kW
Engine capacity
2,989 - 3,982 cm3
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
G, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, C
Brand
Mercedes-Benz
Brand
VW
What drivetrain options does the Mercedes G-Class have?

The Mercedes G-Class is available as All-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.