Jonathan Weiss/ShutterstockThe Mercedes-Benz G-Class first hit the U.S. market for the 2002 model year, and spent the decades that followed building a strong reputation among consumers and auto reviewers alike. And while the off-road-friendly line of five-seat luxury SUVs has plenty of offer drivers, one of its more unsung skills is its value retention. The base-model 2021 Mercedes-Benz G 550 boasted a starting MSRP of $131,750, and as of September 2026, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) reports it's still worth $95,900. This means that the base-model G-Class lost roughly 27.2% — or $35,850 — of its original value in five years. Meanwhile, the higher-end 2021 G 63 AMG had an MSRP of $157,700, but still boasts a KBB fair purchase price of $128,000 in September 2026.New cars tend to depreciate as soon as you drive them off the lot, but the rate at which the 2021 G-Class' value has declined is exceptionally low both for its manufacturer and the vehicle market at large. According to CarEdge, the typical Mercedes-Benz model loses 46% of its value over five years, while KBB similarly estimates that the average new vehicle depreciates 45% in the same time frame. While exact value-retention figures can vary depending on a number of factors, G-Class models have exceptional value retention — even beyond the 2021 model year. In 2026, iSeeCars ranked the G-Class No. 2 on its list of Mercedes-Benz models ranked by resale value, estimating that G-Class models retain 68.3% of their value over five years.The 2021 G-Class actually went up in value in 2026Gabriel Nica/ShutterstockWhile there are plenty of other SUVs that retain over half their value after five years, the resale value tied to the 2021 G-Class actually went up in 2026. According to KBB's assessment of private-party sales figures, trade-in values, and auction data, the 2021 G-Class was valued at $93,892 in 2025 — over $2,000 less than in September 2026.There are a number of reasons that inform this increase, with one being that new G-Class models likely aren't as accessible to consumers as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, global chip-shortage, and Trump's automotive tariffs all significantly impacted new car prices. For instance, a 2026 G 550 starts at $153,900 – roughly 16.8% more than the same model's starting price in 2021. However, it's worth noting that scarcity combined with popularity means that dealership pricing is often well over the starting MSRP for G-Class models. Some would-be buyers have reported dealership prices of anywhere from $25,000 to over $50,000 above MSRP, making a used 2021 model look particularly appealing.Found this helpful? Subscribe to the Money Digest newsletter and unlock your financial potential. And add Money Digest to your preferred sources for smart money insights!
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