G-Class vs. Toyota Land Cruiser: What's The Better Cult Classic?

They both started as utilitarian Jeep knockoffs. They both built legendary cult followings. And today, they represent two of the greatest inventions in human history. But which one actually deserves the crown?

In episode six of Automotive Icons, James Reeves dives deep into the "same same, but different" world of the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Mercedes G-Wagon.

From the battlefields to the soccer fields, these vehicles have done it all—serving as farm tools, expedition rigs, and high-end status symbols. James shares his personal journey owning three generations of Land Cruisers (including the legendary 70 series "crocodile") and his love affair with his 1999 G320.

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TRANSCRIPT

Toyota Land Cruiser vs. Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen

Host: James Reeves

[00:04]

Hey everyone, I’m James Reeves. You’re listening to the Automotive Icons podcast. Today we’re talking about a subject very near and dear to my heart—two vehicles that I absolutely love.

These vehicles have been just about everything at different points in history: farm tools, expedition vehicles, status symbols, suburban family haulers for soccer moms—and in some cases, literal weapons of war. They both started as utilitarian Jeep knockoffs. They both built cult followings. And today, they represent two very different ideas of what “capability” means.

You can probably guess what they are—especially if you saw the title of this episode. We’re talking about the Toyota Land Cruiser versus the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. I submit to you, ladies and gentlemen: two of the best vehicles ever invented. Scratch that—two of the best inventions in human history.

We’re talking about it today on Automotive Icons.

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Same, Same… But Different

[01:50]

Some of you are saying, “Man, I’ve wondered this myself—what’s better, the Land Cruiser or the G-Wagen?” Others might be saying, “Why are you even comparing these? It’s apples to oranges.”

And honestly? It depends on perspective.

They share a lot: roots in Jeep-like military use, boxy styling, reputations for reliability, and a certain admiration factor. But especially in 2025 and 2026, they couldn’t be more different—other than both being SUVs.

So what do we mean when we ask, “Is the 2025 Land Cruiser better than the 2025 G-Wagen?” Are we talking holistically? Are we talking ownership? Capability? Daily drivability? Look—be easy on me. This is only episode six. We’ll work through it together.

My Background With Land Cruisers

[03:12]

I’ve been a Land Cruiser nerd since I was young. I’ve owned three generations and four Land Cruisers total—two of them I still own.

I’ve owned a 60 Series—the classic one that’s hot right now, with either round headlights or the two rectangular headlights depending on year, and that iconic body style.

I’ve also owned a 90 Series, which many U.S. listeners won’t know because it was never sold here. But you can import them, and there are tons of them in Japan right now. If you want a genuinely capable Land Cruiser for not a lot of money, the 90 Series is one of the best bargains out there.

And I currently own two 70 Series Land Cruisers:

• A J78 Prado—often called the “light-duty” Land Cruiser.
• A J76 with the legendary 1HZ diesel, one of the most reliable engines ever built.

A lot of hardcore Land Cruiser guys sneer at the Prado the way some Porsche guys sneer at the 944 or 928—like it’s “not a real one.” I think that’s snobbery, and I’ll denounce my brethren for it. Honestly, I like driving my Prado daily more than I like driving my heavy-duty 70.

My J78 runs the 1KZ-TE turbo diesel four-cylinder. The J76 runs the 1HZ—the million-mile reputation engine. And no, that’s not hyperbole.

I’m not a Land Cruiser encyclopedia—nobody is. The platform is insanely modular. Especially in the ’80s and ’90s, the catalog shifted constantly: new trims, new SKUs, sub-models added and deleted year to year. That variability is part of the legacy. You could get a pickup, a short wheelbase three-door, a long wheelbase, wide-track, narrow-track—built for a lot of roles.

My Background With G-Wagens

[06:25]

I’ve owned one G-Wagen: a 1999 G320 with the M112 V6 and a 5-speed automatic.

And I love this truck more than I could ever love a human baby. It’s one of my all-time favorite vehicles, and it’s given my Land Cruisers a run for the money.

I also have some experience in Austria—where the G-Wagen originated and is still built. A lot of people are surprised to learn that. The G was developed there, and I’ve been to the Steyr region where the history lives.

While I was in Austria, I spent time with Bernard Paltram—the owner of Paltram Auto House, a Mercedes dealership. Bernie is the man. He knows more about G-Wagens than almost anyone on earth. Second-generation dealership owner, restores every generation, owns a dozen or more himself. If you ever get the chance to have Bernard restore your G-Wagen, it’ll be done impeccably.

I’ve seen W460, W461, and W463 trucks in all stages of restoration in his shop. The guy truly knows his stuff.

I also got to off-road a W460 “Wolf” with an off-roading club outside Austria called Hellsclamm—an incredible Alpine trail system where different groups show up (Land Rover guys, Land Cruiser guys, Jeep guys), everyone drives, and then they grill and hang out afterward. If you’re in Europe, go out of your way. It’s beautiful and unforgettable.

So yes—I’m a nerd about both of these. That’s why I’m excited to talk about one versus the other.

The Origin Stories

[09:31]

The Land Cruiser is one of the oldest continuously running nameplates in the world. It dates back to the 1950s.

You’ve heard me refer to Land Cruiser models as “J” numbers—J70, J80, and so on. There’s a rumor that “J” originally stood for “Jeep,” because Toyota initially called them Jeeps. When export became the goal, they realized they couldn’t keep using the name—and the Land Cruiser name was born.

The G-Wagen has a similar origin story: developed as a rugged military vehicle in Austria to fulfill defense contracts, built around durability, simplicity, and off-road capability. But the timelines are different: the Land Cruiser predates the G by decades.

From there, they diverge—fast.

The Land Cruiser Arc: Utility → Luxury → Back Again

[11:34]

In the U.S., the first “big” Land Cruiser image is the 40 Series—the one everybody recognizes. Classic Jeep-like styling. Cool, rugged, reliable.

Then there was the 50 Series (“Iron Pig”), Toyota’s early swing toward more suburban comfort. It never caught on the same way, parts can be tougher to source, and it’s comparatively rare.

Then you get the 60 Series, which is a global icon now—and very expensive in good condition.

After that, the Land Cruiser story splits in a meaningful way.

The 70 Series: The “Crocodile” of Cars

The 70 Series launched in 1984 and is still built today. It’s the crocodile of vehicles: it was so good that it’s only been marginally changed over decades. Americans—my primary audience—often have no idea what a 70 Series is because it was never sold here. Most people have only seen them abroad—Africa, Australia, Japan, the Middle East.

And yes, Toyota still produces versions of the 70 for harsh environments and military/industrial use. It’s the pure utilitarian Land Cruiser line that never quit.

The Consumer Line: 80 → 100 → 200

The 80 Series is where you see a major shift toward luxury while still retaining serious capability—triple lockers, durability, and real off-road chops. It’s also one of the most desirable Land Cruisers today.

From there, the 100 Series continues the luxury trend, and then the 200 Series (roughly 2007–2021) becomes a full-on luxury SUV—still capable, still reliable, but expensive and increasingly detached from the original utilitarian identity.

Then Toyota pulled the Land Cruiser from the U.S. market for a period.

And now, more recently, we’ve seen the return with the 250 Series—a modern Land Cruiser that leans back toward utilitarian roots, with a Lexus sibling that people rave about.

That’s the Land Cruiser story in broad strokes.

The G-Wagen Arc: Utility → Luxury → Ultra-Luxury

[18:18]

The G-Wagen story is shorter and simpler: three major generations—W460, W461, and W463.

• W460: barebones military utility. No creature comforts.
• W461: selective upgrades—more comfort, more civilian crossover.
• W463: the luxury pivot. Cloth on early models, then increasingly leather, wood, and full Mercedes refinement.

By 1999—my G320 era—you’re already in genuine luxury territory: plush leather, wood trim, smooth road manners. But it still has real capability, including triple locking differentials, and it’s built around a serviceable, reliable powertrain.

The big shift happens later. From 2018 onward, the G becomes an ultra-luxury status object: AMG models, six-wheelers, 4x4 Squared variants—vehicles that can cost well into the hundreds of thousands. At that point, it’s fair to say the modern G is often disconnected from its utilitarian roots.

A Fair Comparison: My Two Trucks

[22:48]

To make this apples-to-apples, I’m going to compare what I own:

• A 2000 J76 heavy-duty 70 Series Land Cruiser (four-door—Toyota calls it a “five-door,” even though it effectively has six because of the rear ambulance doors).
• A 1999 G320 W463.

Reliability and Serviceability

The Land Cruiser’s 1HZ diesel has a legendary reputation. People call it a million-mile engine. I’ve seen many with nearly a million kilometers on them—600,000-plus miles. They’re simple, durable, and easy to maintain. You can run questionable fuel, find parts almost anywhere, and get repairs done without specialized equipment.

According to Bernard Paltram, the early G-Wagen five-cylinder diesel is “unbustable.” But he also emphasized that rust is a major issue for G-Wagens—especially from salted-road regions. Corrosion can hide in known weak points, including places you won’t see until you remove components, like tail lights.

My G320 runs the M112 V6, shared across other Mercedes models of the era. It’s smooth, refined, and still serviceable.

Bernard also told me something interesting: the late ’90s to early 2000s G-Wagens are a sweet spot—capability, comfort, and reliability intersect there. You get the M112 V6 and the M113 V8 in early G500s, plus the 5-speed automatic. They drive like luxury cars, but still work off-road.

Ownership Costs

This is where reality hits.

I can take my Land Cruiser to almost any shop, almost anywhere, and get work done relatively cheaply. Even in the U.S., parts can be sourced from Japan without drama—and many Toyota dealers are comfortable ordering them.

My G-Wagen had about 30,000 miles when I brought it into the U.S. It was well maintained, but it had deferred maintenance. I took it to a Mercedes dealership in Pensacola and spent almost $9,000. Some of that I could have done myself—but with an expensive German vehicle, the fear factor is real. If something goes wrong, it’s on you, and it can get expensive fast. Dealer maintenance can feel like insurance.

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[27:54]

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So… Which Is Better?

[29:54]

It depends on what kind of person you are.

Are you a “permission” person or a “forgiveness” person?

If you’re a forgiveness person—the Land Cruiser is your truck. It’s forgiving of neglect, abuse, imperfect service, and missing history. If it runs, and you keep up with maintenance reasonably, it’ll probably keep going. That’s why militaries and NGOs use them. That’s why they thrive in remote places.

But most private owners in the U.S. will choose the Mercedes because it’s easier to live with: more comfort, more refinement, more left-hand-drive availability. If you buy a 70 Series, there’s a good chance it’ll be right-hand-drive—no problem for me, but a dealbreaker for a lot of Americans.

If you’re asking the average city-dwelling American “Land Cruiser or G-Wagen?” it’s probably not even close: they’ll pick the G.

And that’s the catch—I kind of bait-and-switched you with the theme, because it truly depends on which years and which variants we’re talking about.

Daily Driving

[31:50]

Daily driving my Land Cruiser is fun. It feels commanding. You sit high, visibility is excellent, and it’s smaller than people think—easier to drive than a full-size pickup. It’s not luxurious, but it’s not miserable. I’ve driven it long distances on I-10 from Florida to New Orleans, and it was fine.

My 1999 G320, though? It’s as smooth and luxurious as many modern vehicles. Even at 26 years old, it behaves beautifully on the highway.

It does have an odd “cruise control” function—it works more like a speed limiter. It doesn’t maintain speed automatically; it prevents you from exceeding the set speed. You can floor it and it won’t go past the limit, but if you lift off, it won’t hold speed.

By the late ’90s, the G was already a luxury vehicle—not a pure utility vehicle. Fortunately, mine still has triple lockers and real off-road capability.

From 2018 onward, though, things get silly. The modern G has largely become a status symbol—far removed from its origin.

If I Had to Crown a King…

[35:03]

If I had to crown one king, I’d say the 80 Series Land Cruiser. You still get real capability, triple lockers, durable powertrains—but this is where Land Cruiser starts blending in genuine comfort and luxury. The Lexus versions in particular are extremely comfortable.

If you want something livable, drivable, collectible, and still legitimately capable, the 80 Series may be the apex—more than any G-Wagen or even the 70 Series.

The 70 Series is the purest expression of Land Cruiser, and it’s my favorite—which is why I own two. But the 80 is the best all-around balance.

As for the modern G? You couldn’t give me one. I don’t consider post-2018 trucks to be the same vehicle. It feels like the G has been severed from its origin—and that’s honestly heartbreaking.

Know Thyself

[37:03]

So which one is better for you?

Know thyself. What do you want?

If you want something you can mistreat a little, off-road without guilt, service easily, and source parts for anywhere—look at a 60, 70, or 80 Series Land Cruiser.

If you want more comfort and refinement, consider the 80 Series, or certain eras of the G-Wagen.

If you don’t want to spend over $100,000, the G320 can be a bargain compared to a G500, since it has the 3.2-liter V6 instead of the V8. You can find good ones for under $50,000.

And you can still spend serious money on a great 80 Series—prices are climbing fast.

At the end of the day, I’m calling it a draw. I love them both. If you’re shopping, think about your budget. If you want value, maybe consider a 90 Series or 100 Series Land Cruiser—models that are somewhat out of vogue right now. If you want the swagger—the three-pointed star on the hood—maybe the G-Wagen is for you.

What do you think? Tell me in the comments.

Thanks for listening to Automotive Icons. That was a fun one. Sorry if I rambled—I hope this was useful. Happy 2026. Take care.