Compare the2026 Ford BroncoVS 2025 Mercedes G-Class

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Ford Bronco achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Mercedes G-Class has not been tested.

Both the Bronco and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Ford’s powertrain warranty covers the Bronco 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the G-Class. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the G-Class ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 7 times as many Ford dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bronco’s warranty.

The Bronco has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The G-Class doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. With 17 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Ford higher than Mercedes.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes With 35 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Ford higher than Mercedes.

On the EPA test cycle the Bronco 4-Door gets better mileage than the G-Class running its gasoline engine:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Bronco uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The G-Class requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Bronco has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The G-Class doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Bronco offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The G-Class doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Bronco, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the G-Class.

For better traction, the Bronco Raptor’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the G-Class (37 x 12.5R17 vs. 295/40R22).

The Ford Bronco’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes G-Class only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

All Broncos have standard full size spares so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare is not available on the G-Class 580 Without it you must depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Bronco’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The G-Class doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Bronco 4-Door’s wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the G-Class (116.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Bronco is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

The Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door handles at .72 G’s, while the G 550 pulls only .62 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the G 550 (28.7 seconds @ .57 average G’s vs. 29.8 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Bronco 4-Door’s turning circle is 4.5 feet tighter than the AMG G 63’s (39.8 feet vs. 44.3 feet).

The Ford Bronco may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 1250 pounds less than the Mercedes G-Class.

For excellent aerodynamics, the Bronco has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The front grille of the Bronco uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The G-Class doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Bronco 4-Door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the G-Class with its rear seat up (38.3 vs. 34.8 cubic feet). The Bronco 4-Door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the G-Class with its rear seat folded (83 vs. 68.6 cubic feet).

The Bronco 4-Door’s optional sliding cargo floor makes loading and unloading cargo easier and safer. The G-Class doesn’t offer a sliding load floor.

The Bronco’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the right swing out door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The G-Class’ rear cargo window doesn’t open.

All models of the Bronco can be flat towed on all four wheels, allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Bronco can be unhitched and driven around locally. Only the G-Class 580 can be dinghy towed.

The Bronco’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The G-Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Bronco’s available exterior PIN entry system. The G-Class doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Mercedes-Benz Emergency Call can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Bronco’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The G-Class doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Bronco has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Bronco offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The G-Class doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Ford Bronco comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Mercedes G-Class isn’t available as a soft top.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Bronco as the 2022 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The G-Class has never been chosen.

The Ford Bronco outsold the Mercedes G-Class by over 10 to one during 2024.