Compare the2023 Mercedes G-ClassVS 2023 Ford Expedition Max

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Mercedes G-Class have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Ford Expedition Max doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The G-Class’ pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Mercedes G-Class has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer knee airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the G-Class. But it costs extra on the Expedition Max.

Both the G-Class and the Expedition Max have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Warranty

The G-Class comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Expedition Max’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Engine

The G-Class has more powerful engines than the Expedition Max:

	Horsepower	Torque
G 550 4.0 turbo V8	416 HP	450 lbs.-ft.
AMG G 63 4.0 turbo V8	577 HP	627 lbs.-ft.
Expedition Max 3.5 turbo V6	380 HP	470 lbs.-ft.
Expedition Max Limited/KR/Platinum 3.5 turbo V6	400 HP	480 lbs.-ft.
Expedition Max Stealth 3.5 turbo V6	440 HP	510 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the G 550 is faster than the Expedition Max Limited/KR/Platinum:

	G-Class	Expedition Max
Zero to 60 MPH	5.4 sec	6.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	15.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98.4 MPH	88.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the G-Class’ fuel efficiency. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Drivetrain

The G-Class has a true four-wheel drive system, which has differentials which lock up when they detect wheelspin so they keep the G-Class moving if even only one wheel still has traction. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a true four-wheel drive system; it could get stuck while one or more wheels still have traction.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the AMG G 63’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Expedition Max:

	G 550	AMG G 63	Expedition Max
Front Rotors	13.9 inches	14.8 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	13 inches	13.2 inches

The G-Class stops much shorter than the Expedition Max:

	G-Class	Expedition Max
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	192 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the G-Class’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Expedition Max (295/40R22 vs. 285/45R22).

The G 550’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Expedition Max’s standard 65 series tires. The G-Class’ optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Expedition Max’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the G 550 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Expedition Max.

Chassis

The G 550 is 2 feet, 8.2 inches shorter than the Expedition Max, making the G-Class easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

The G-Class has a much larger cargo volume than the Expedition Max with its rear seat up (38.1 vs. 34.3 cubic feet).

Towing

The G-Class’ standard towing capacity is much higher than the Expedition Max’s (7000 vs. 6000 pounds).

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Expedition Max, the G-Class has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The G-Class’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Expedition Max.

The G-Class’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Expedition Max’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the G-Class the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Expedition Max can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The G-Class has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The G-Class’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Expedition Max’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The G-Class has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the G-Class has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Expedition Max doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the G-Class is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Expedition Max’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Mercedes G-Class has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Expedition Max.

The G-Class’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Expedition Max (except XLT)’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.