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    Gabriel Vega
     
    Gabriel Vega

    Gabriel Vega Cortes is the Automotive Content Manager of the duPont REGISTRY print publication, as well as the reviewer of cars for both print and digital properties.

    Blog posts

    A silver Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV with a roof rack is parked on a dirt road surrounded by greenery and mountains.

    by Gabriel Vega – June 11, 2025

    Review: The 2025 Mercedes-AMG G63 Offroad Pro Is the Ulti...

    Few proper off-roaders can match the Geländewagen's range. Despite its ability to tackle rugged trails out of the box, thanks partly to its body-on-frame build, three locking differentials, and long-travel suspension, the G-Class can just as easily crawl the streets of Beverly Hills without looking out of place. It's this versatility, its boxy looks, and its visibility as a status symbol that have granted this SUV its icon status.  Today, the Mercedes-AMG G63 remains the flagship G-Class. And because the G580 is powered by batteries and the G550 by an inline-six, it's also the only version of this off-roader offered with eight cylinders under its hood. However, while most G63s ride on rubber band tires and large wheels, the one I'm in this week embraces a more rugged approach thanks to its optional $13,450 Offroad Package Pro upgrade. With a roof rack, mud flaps, and a smaller 20-inch wheelset wrapped in more off-road-focused tires, this G63 finallyadopts an aesthetic that matches its capabilities. And as you'll soon learn, it doesn't sacrifice its on-road performance to do it.  The G-Class is in a strange spot at the moment. The G550 I drove a few weeks ago left me missing its discontinued V8 more than loving the inline-six that replaced it. The G580 I tested before that proved to be a fantastic first crack at a battery-powered G. Yet despite its tremendous performance, clever off-road tech, and stellar ride quality, new reports suggest that it's not flying off the shelves quite as Mercedes had hoped.  The fact that I had to wait a bit to get into the new Mercedes-AMG G63 ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise. From the moment you press its start button and hear its V8 rumble to when you hear the sound of its iconic door latch, the G63 feels like the most authentic G-Class on sale. Starting at $187,250, including a $1,150 destination fee, it's also the most expensive, but more on that later.  The Geländewagen is defined by its ability to create a sense of occasion, and that's precisely the area the $13,450 Offroad Pro package improves. Like the rest of the G-Class lineup, the G63 receives some subtle exterior updates for the 2025 model year, with most of the changes residing in its restyled front and rear bumpers. The eagle-eyed among you might also notice that its rear-view camera now sits above its license plate.  The Offroad Pro package forgoes any sense of subtlety. It starts with a metal roof rack complete with a small ladder bolted to this truck's rear quarter panel. Its spare wheel holder also gets upgraded from plastic to metal, sporting the same textured black finish as the rest of the new gear. You'll spot front and rear underguards adorning its bumpers and mud flaps positioned just behind its 20-inch wheels.  This look suits the Geländewagen's spirit perfectly, and much like the rest of this SUV's appeal, you don't have to leave paved roads to appreciate it. Simply put, it looks stellar. Even if you never pitch a tent on the roof or see how far its General Grabber HTS rubber will take you, you can still enjoy how this optional package takes an SUV with a strong stylistic pull and strengthens its ability to draw you in.  The final piece that makes up this optional package is perhaps the most important: its inclusion of AMG's Active Ride Control suspension. Offered solely for the Mercedes-AMG G63, this is an active system that relies on hydraulics rather than anti-roll bars to eliminate excess lateral body movement. The suspension's four dampers are hydraulically linked, with each damper featuring connections on both the damper and rebound sides.  As such, the system can respond instantly to bumps or road undulations by adjusting each corner of the suspension independently. The result is a tall SUV that weighs 5,842 pounds but still manages to tackle corners without giving you the impression that it's ever ready to topple over. It's a significant improvement in terms of stability over the outgoing Mercedes-AMG G63, making this newest model both more balanced and fun to drive.  More importantly, the system gives its driver a higher sense of confidence when deploying this truck's 577 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque output. It squats less under hard acceleration while also significantly reducing nose-dive under braking. AMG's 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 happily sings its burbly muscle car tune through its side-mounted exhaust tips while a quick-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission and a permanent all-wheel drive system make it feel every bit as potent as its stats suggest.  The G63 has never had a power problem, and with this latest model sprinting to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, neither does this one. However, its optional active suspension allows you to explore far more of it than previous iterations. Yet even as you approach a bend, this truck's upsized have no issue slowing it while its steering remains totally numb from a feedback perspective but picks up some newfound precision.  Crucially, the Mercedes-AMG G63 achieves this without diminishing its on-road comfort or daily usability. Instead, this active system and thicker tire sidewalls improve it. While its predecessor didn't ride harshly, this latest model makes notable improvements, bringing the G's ride quality closer to what you'd expect from a Range Rover. Of course, achieving this means giving up some of the old-school rugged and truck-like feel the G-Class is known for, but to all but the most hardcore fans, this will come across as a significant step forward.  Inside, the Mercedes-AMG G63 continues the subtle upgrade trend. This tester features a classy Tartufo Brown finish on its seats, complementing the black leather used on its dashboard and steering wheel. A $1,300 ash wood trim option further elevates the cabin, which pairs well with this SUV's $6,500 Desert Silver metallic exterior finish and its $2,350 AMG Night Package overall.  On the tech side, its twin 12.3-inch instrument cluster and infotainment displays might seem unchanged at first glance, but they house Mercedes' new Offroad Cockpit. It's a system designed for use primarily on trails, providing vital data at a glance, such as altitude, steering angle, and the vehicle's position as the road grade changes. It'll also allow you to use the G's cameras to see a clear view of the road ahead and any upcoming rocks or debris.  The Offroad Package's biggest flaw becomes apparent once you're behind the wheel, namely its increased wind noise at highway speeds. Although tire noise doesn't increase significantly, the sound generated by this truck's roof-mounted platform surely does. It's enough to be distracting, requiring you to turn up your music a few clicks higher than you usually would. If a whisper-quiet cabin is what you're after, this rugged G isn't for you. As I mentioned earlier, the Mercedes-AMG G63 remains the flagship model, starting at $187,250. For context, the G550 I reviewed earlier this year has a base price of $149,400, while the electrified G580 comes in at $162,650. Factor in optional extras like the $13,450 Offroad Package Pro, $7,400 Exclusive Interior Plus, and its $2,350 AMG Night Package, and this truck's as-tested price balloons to $220,300.  The G63 is an off-roader defined by its ability to create a sense of occasion, and the Offroad Package Pro only strengthens its ability to do so. Despite its added ruggedness, it allows this AMG to retain its ability to fit in anywhere. However, the upsides from an aesthetic perspective are significant. This SUV now has looks that match its off-road capability much better than in its more common form, featuring large wheels and tires with thick sidewalls.  However, what's most impressive is just how well the G63's active suspension improves both its high-speed stability and ride quality without significantly detracting from the G-Class experience. While the G550 takes a step back and the G580 struggles to catch on, the Mercedes-AMG G63 remains the ultimate G-Class. 

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    A blue GMC Yukon Denali SUV is parked on a dirt road in a wooded area with tall pine trees in the background.

    by Gabriel Vega – June 02, 2025

    Review: The 2025 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate Is a Luxury SU...

    If you haven't done so recently, take a second to look through the 2025 Cadillac Escalade's configurator. The base model is the ironically-named "Luxury" trim, which starts at $92,290, including a $1,995 destination fee. At the top of the food chain, you'll find the absolute maniac that is the V-Series, which asks for $166,690 without options, and its rowdy supercharged 6.2-liter V8.  With prices dipping into the six-figure range more often than not, Cadillac's truck-based luxury SUV wants to go toe-to-toe with the Range Rovers of the world. However, as part of this transition, the Escalade has progressed from being an SUV a celebrity might step out of at an event to one they might actually drive. It's more of a status symbol than ever and instantly recognizable as a luxury product. This creates a problem.  The problem exists for those who previously relied on the Escalade for low-key transportation. Driving a Rolls-Royce Cullinan guarantees you'll be seen. But what if you don't? That used to the Escalade's turf alongside the BMW X7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS; big three-row SUVs with ample space, all of the luxury fittings you'd want in a commuter, and guaranteed anonymity. With the Cadillac's sights set firmly on an entirely different crowd, we can add the 2025 GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate to that list.  I'll admit that before the opportunity to drive one appeared, the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate wasn't on my radar. Aside from a review of the off-road AT4 trim I did over four years ago, my only contact with the Yukon since has been from the back seat of an Uber Black.  Today, the Yukon is GMC's flagship internal-combustion SUV, and the Denali Ultimate is its range-topping variant. It starts at $103,295, including a $1,995 destination fee, and comes loaded with standard equipment, making this tester's list of optional extras relatively short. It adds Night Vision for $2,000, the Illumination Package for $1,195, and a Floor Liner Package for $475. Even its Downpour Metallic exterior paint costs only $495, bringing its as-tested price to $107,460. As such, there aren't many decisions to make when configuring one. You can choose between seven different exterior colors, five wheel designs measuring 22 or 24 inches, and an interior package that upgrades the second-row seats. It replaces the almost cardboard flat captain's chairs in my tester with a more premium, bolstered, and ventilated set in case you plan to be driven rather than driving yourself.  Crucially, there is just one interior color available, which is the Woodland Mahogany photographed above, accented with white stitching and laser-etched wood trim. If this LongHorn Steakhouse vibe isn't quite your speed, you can step down from the Ultimate to the Denali and pick between off-white or black leather. However, you'll miss out on the range-topper's excellent 22-speaker Bose sound system.  As far as this interior's livability goes. It's a pleasant place to be. It remains relatively quiet on the highway. Its front seats are supportive but not firm, and this truck's air suspension system has no trouble soaking up larger bumps at speed. As is common, the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate features a digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen for its infotainment. The latter is a gigantic 16.8-inch display that makes reading maps at a glance effortless while offering enough real estate to have multiple apps open simultaneously.  While you can adjust vital cabin settings through the touchscreen, GMC made the excellent decision to retain physical controls via a row of switches that are almost hidden in plain sight. The result is an interior that feels high-tech without losing its tactility. While some of this SUV's plastic buttons feel somewhat out of place in a vehicle costing six figures, the Denali Ultimate makes up for it by being easy to use and including GM's fantastic Super Cruise driver-assist system. Not only does it allow for hands-free driving, but it also does a good job of keeping this family hauler centered in the lane, even if Los Angeles' road markings aren't always the most clearly defined.  This brings me to the main reason why you'd buy a GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate, and that is its size. Its second and third rows fold flat, leaving you with a cavernous trunk with 122.9 cubic feet of space. What's on offer here is versatility, and should you need more of it, the stretched XL variant exists.  From a driving perspective, you've got another choice to make. GMC offers the Denali Ultimate in two configurations: either with a turbocharged 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six diesel engine or a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8. The former develops 305 horsepower and 495 pound-feet of torque, while the latter produces 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Regardless of which you go for, however, you'll get a 10-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, and an air suspension setup.  My tester sports the V8, and its chrome quad exhaust tips promise a burbly engine note that only partially materializes. Whether you're standing by it or sitting inside, the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is remarkably quiet, underscored by a low, burbling hum. Even as you press the accelerator, you don't get much of an engine note in the cabin, a plus given this SUV's luxurious aspirations but a minus if you opted for the eight-cylinder route to hear them sing.  It's a similar story once you hit the road. While GM's 10-speed automatic transmission can be somewhat slow and clunky in other products, that isn't the case here. It shifts both smoothly and quickly, attempting to maximize the available power. However, even with 460 lb-ft of torque, the Yukon feels sluggish, especially at highway speeds. Overtaking requires a boot-full of throttle, which is less surprising once you consider the Ultimate's over 5,800-lb curb weight. If it manages to be just as quiet in most applications, the 3.0-liter diesel and its extra torque is the one to have.  As I've alluded to, the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate is based on the same platform as the Sierra pickup, and this body-on-frame SUV only partially conceals its truck roots. Its steering is heavy and pairs with a slow ratio. Unlike rivals like the BMW X7, the Ultimate lacks rear-axle steering, making it more challenging to maneuver through tight spaces. Simultaneously, its tall and flat hood limits forward visibility, although an onboard camera suite helps out considerably.  The GMC's air suspension does the most heavy lifting. While Yukons that lack it often deliver a bouncy ride, that isn't the case in the Denali Ultimate. It does a great job of handling undulations and road imperfections at highway speeds. However, it does have a tendency to struggle at slower speeds, picking up plenty of vibrations over rougher surfaces, a con of its massive 24-inch wheels.  From a visual standpoint, it's challenging to make what is essentially a giant box, designed to carry as much stuff and people as possible, look great. Still, the Denali Ultimate makes a valiant effort. Its Downpour Metallic exterior finish introduces some vibrancy while retaining a classy look. While this SUV features chrome trim, it is applied tastefully throughout. And while this GMC's front grille is somewhat overbearing, its LED running lights are tastefully restrained.  The biggest aesthetic challenge it faces has less to do with its appearance and more to do with who buys it. As I mentioned earlier, a GMC Yukon has pulled up to my house when I'm on the way to the airport more times than I can count. You'll often spot them in major cities across the US, as part of a car service fleet or driven by those looking to make top dollar on rideshare apps like Uber or Lyft. It's a fact I kept getting reminded of every time I walked up to the Denali or saw another in chauffeur-spec at a stoplight. While it's something you can ignore if you're looking at one of the Yukon's less expensive trim levels, it's much harder to do so when you're shelling out six figures for one.  After a week behind the wheel, it's clear that the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate has many strengths. It's tremendously spacious and offers an excellent in-cabin experience, both in terms of tech and comfort. Considering that it tops out in the low six-figure range, it'll cost you less than an equivalent Range Rover, BMW X7, or Mercedes-Benz GLS.  However, as luxurious as the Denali Ultimate strives to be, it's hampered by a driving experience that can't shake its truck roots, an underwhelming engine, and an aesthetic that's become ubiquitous for all the wrong reasons. Still, the Yukon manages to offer a luxury SUV experience in a package that allows you to fly under the radar. Despite some shortcomings, it's ready to take up the mantle as the Escalade moves on.

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    A green Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV is parked on a dirt trail surrounded by trees and shrubs in a natural outdoor setting.

    by Gabriel Vega – May 27, 2025

    Review: The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G550 Makes a Strong Case f...

    The G-Class became an icon through consistency. Launched in 1979, the Geländewagen employs a similar formula to the one that has kept the Porsche 911 relevant for over seven decades. Rather than implementing revolutionary changes between generations, it leans on evolutionary ones. Although it has undoubtedly become more luxurious since the late 1970s, the G-Class centers around a particular aesthetic and driving experience, which, despite significant tweaks, still endures.  The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G550 I'm driving this week follows this formula almost perfectly. It's the least expensive G-Class for the U.S. market, sitting below the all-electric G580 and the range-topping G63 by AMG. Still, with a $149,400 base price and this tester's $181,000 out-the-door figure, it retains much of its predecessor's look and feel but at an elevated price point.  Typically, this wouldn't be an issue for a vehicle built exclusively to serve a group of well-off diehard fans. However, one major update introduced for the latest G550 is the substitution of its twin-turbocharged V8 with an electrified inline-six. This swap detracts from one of the G's core tenets: its rumbly engine note. While the new powerplant is more powerful and efficient than the one it replaces, it's also far quieter. It's effectively non-existent in most driving scenarios. And if that's the case, why not go all-in with the fully-electric G580? From an aesthetic perspective, the new Mercedes-Benz G550 may be a case of the same, same, but different, but that's a feature, not a fault. If you squint, you can tell that this off-roader features new front and rear bumpers, as well as a grille adorned with four horizontal louvers. In contrast, its predecessor had to make do with just three. Mercedes redesigned its air inlets to incorporate a square-off design with rounded edges, and its rear-view camera now sits above its license plate. That's it.  For Geländewagen fans, this SUV retains its boxy shape, towering height, and overall aesthetic, which significantly contribute to its iconic status. Its door handles remain button-activated, making the same satisfying latching sound as they close. This tester features the optional $3,500 AMG Line package, which adds an upsized set of 20-inch wheels and flared wheel arches. This pairs nicely with the $3,250 Night Package that darkens its exterior trim. However, its highlight remains its $6,500 Manufaktur Deep Green paint, which, as you'll soon learn, complements this SUV's interior beautifully.  On the powertrain side, the latest Mercedes-Benz G550 introduces its most significant update: its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine. It develops 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque thanks in part to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that can contribute up to 20 hp and 148 lb-ft for brief moments. This output goes to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission.  As impressive as this powertrain's achievements are on paper, allowing a vehicle that weighs 5,534 pounds to still hit 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, it's a great example of when more is less. The Geländewagen is defined by its ability to create a sense of occasion. Previously, this meant appreciating its boxy aesthetic as you approach, slamming its door, hearing its world-class latching sound, and listening out for its burbly engine note as it comes to life. That's no longer true if you don't shell out for the flagship G63.  Instead, what greets you is an engine note that's quiet and uninspiring. It's the noise you'd expect from an E-Class at less than half the price. Still, once you consider this truck's $181,000 as-tested figure, its engine makes an otherwise expensive luxury vehicle feel decidedly less so. Thankfully, this new inline-six is willing to perform. It offers ample torque throughout its rev range, and because it relies on a mild-hybrid system, it's responsive. It is almost entirely undetectable at highway speeds and has the benefit of increased fuel efficiency. The nine-speed auto is mated to shift both quickly and smoothly, while its standard brakes remain plenty powerful to consistently slow this tall and hefty SUV.  Like its predecessors, the Mercedes-Benz G550 remains a proper off-roader first. It still rides on a ladder frame, incorporates three locking differentials, and its transfer case sends 40 percent of its output to its front wheels and the remaining 60 percent to the pair in the rear. From a suspension standpoint, the G550 counts on double wishbones up front and a solid rear axle. It pairs springs with adaptive dampers in contrast to the G580's plush air suspension setup.  A new Offroad Cockpit consolidates vital readouts, including incline data, into a single screen, while a forward-facing camera provides a clear view of the trail ahead.  The on-road refinement improvements introduced for this latest G-Class generation are immediately noticeable. The G550 soaks up road imperfections well without excessive body motions. While it lacks the active roll stabilization available for the G63, it can tackle bends confidently without considerable lean. It's perfectly damped for cruising at highway speeds, and thanks to its extensive isolation, it creates an in-cabin experience that isn't interrupted by unwanted road and wind noise.  A significant contributing factor to this tester's high as-tested price is its $13,250 Manufaktur Interior Package Plus. Aside from adorning the front row with a pair of Active Multicontour seats, this option covers this SUV's cabin almost entirely with Nappa leather and extensive stitching. This tester takes the opportunity to cover its seats, door cards, and two-tone steering wheel in tan leather. This shade pairs nicely with its dark green exterior.  More importantly, this package goes a long way to making the Mercedes-Benz G550 feel every bit as expensive as it is. Practically every surface you interact with is covered in leather, and aside from the touch-sensitive buttons on its steering wheel, this interior incorporates as little plastic as possible. While its wheel controls may be cumbersome, you can still control core functions, such as this SUV's climate control, through physical switches on the dashboard.  On the tech side, the G550 features twin 12.3-inch digital instrument clusters and infotainment screens, both running the latest version of its MBUX software. Not much has changed on this front, so the system will feel quite familiar if you've interacted with other Mercedes-Benz products introduced in recent years.  For 2025, the Mercedes-Benz G550 starts at $149,400. Factor in all of its optional extras, costing an as-tested $181,000. Although these figures represent a modest increase over the outgoing G550, it simultaneously places the "entry-level" Geländewagen within striking distance of its electrified twin. For context, earlier this year, the G580 I tester carried an as-tested price of $192,690 ($162,650 base price). Yet, during my week with the G550, I couldn't help but think about the G580. While I can't yet speak for the new G63, the electric G-Class is impressive despite being a first-generation product. Given that you can no longer get a V8 engine in an SUV without an AMG badge in the rear, why not instead go all in with an off-roader that's even more capable due to its clever use of its electric motors, better-riding thanks in part to the weight added by its battery pack, and developing 579 hp and 859 lb-ft, far quicker too?  The Geländewagen is undeniably an automotive icon. From its distinct aesthetic to its tall stature and its opulent yet sturdy cabin, its fans return because, in part, they know they'll be met with a tweaked version of an experience that remains unique. However, by removing its much-loved rumbling engine note, the new G550 might be more impressive on paper than ever, but in practice, it takes one crucial step back. 

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    A twisted tree stands on a rocky ledge overlooking a canyon at sunset, with distant cliffs and a clear sky—an iconic scene near some of the best U.S. off-roading destinations.

    by Gabriel Vega – May 19, 2025

    Quick-Start Guide To Off-Roading: The Top 5 U.S. Off-Road...

    The off-roading scene has grown exponentially in popularity since 2020, and here are five amazing destinations to set your sights upon. From luxurious all-terrain RVs to fully kitted overlanding builds, the number of big-name automakers and aftermarket companies building products specifically for this growing community of enthusiasts has only grown year over year since the global health pandemic. However, mapping out your first off-roading adventure can be as challenging as selecting the vehicle to take you there. To ease you into this expansive world of trails and sites, we've compiled a list of the top five off-roading destinations in the US, presented in no specific order.  Moab, Utah Nestled 250 miles south of Salt Lake City sits Moab, a small city surrounded by expansive national parks on all sides. To the northeast, you'll find the most famous: Arches National Park. As its name suggests, it is best known for its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. If you've seen photos of the area, it's likely of Delicate Arch, a 52-foot high natural structure depicted in Utah license plates and used for the Olympic torch relay during the 2002 Winter Olympics.  This area is ideal for beginners due to its sheer variety of off-roading trails, hiking trails, and local accommodations. Moab sits almost perfectly between Denver, Colorado, and Las Vegas, Nevada, making it easily accessible. Move southwest, and you'll find Canyonlands National Park. It spans 337,598 acres, making it the far larger of the pair, but it offers an even greater variety of scenery, camping sites, and off-roading activities.  As with many locations we'll cover, bringing your off-roading vehicle isn't necessary, given the expansive amount of other rental companies in the area. Beginner-friendly trails include Shafer Trail, Gemini Bridges Trail, Geyser Pass, and Klondike Buffs. These take approximately four hours to complete, spacing at most 25 miles, including scenic views, while incorporating only light off-roading.  If you're more experienced or just want to spectate some of the more difficult trails Moab offers, Hell's Revenge, Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch, and Syncline Loop present a more significant challenge behind the wheel.  Sedona, Arizona Continuing the red rock theme is Sedona, Arizona. There, you'll find the Coconino National Forest, which spans Flagstaff, AZ, incorporating massive rock formations, pine forests, and true alpine tundra. Covering over 1.8 million acres, this national park rises in altitude from a low of 2,600 ft to well past 12,000 ft. Beginners will want to start on popular trails such as the Broken Arrow Trail, Outlaw Trail, and Van Deren Cabin Trail. These are popular, easy to traverse, and offer access to hikers, bikers, and those on off-roading vehicles. If a longer, slightly more challenging route is what you're after, the Outlaw trail spans 23.2 miles and will take a few hours to complete. However, unlike Moab, most of the trails in the Coconino National Forest are listed as easy or moderate in difficulty, making the number of options for beginners slightly higher. Sedona is easily accessible, sitting about 117 miles north of Arizona's capital of Phoenix and a mere 32.8 from Flagstaff. Given that most of the Coconino National Forest exists within a desert climate, visiting during the summer months could prove challenging to both attendees and the vehicles selected for the trip. Mojave, California Easily accessible from Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the Mojave Desert has been home to countless famous movie shoots. These include "The Professionals", "Top Gun: Maverick," and "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope." Given its proximity to various major cities, including Palm Springs, the Mojave Desert is one of the off-roading areas in this list most closely surrounded by luxurious resorts and hotels. This makes it ideal to incorporate a visit to this national park as part of a larger vacation. Given its location, temperatures during the summer can often exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit while staying mainly in the 60s from November through March. Given that the Mojave National Preserve spans more than 1.5 million acres, there's a great variety of scenery to explore. Famous trails such as the 137-mi Mojave Road Trail traverse towering mountain ranges despite sporting a moderate difficulty level. In contrast, areas such as the Iron Canyon Scenic Trail, Tule Divide, and Jawbone OHV Area incorporate a greater variety of dirt roads, sandy areas, and smaller mountain passes. The Mojave Desert is an excellent choice for those looking for a full day of off-road exploration but wanting to be close to some of the best resorts and hotels Southern California and Las Vegas offer. Lake Tahoe, California Perched on the borders of Nevada and California, Lake Tahoe trades the desert for dense forests and snowy peaks. It's home to the Tahoe National Forest, which spans 871,000 acres and features some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the country. This area's strength is the diversity of scenery. The lake offers easy access to water activities, while the surrounding valleys offer endless hiking, camping, and biking opportunities. This area is known as one of the go-to destinations for skiing and snowboarding during the winter. Yet despite its easy access to plenty of outdoor activities, the Lake Tahoe area is also home to various off-roading trails. On the easier side, you'll find options like the Sardine Lakes and Mount Watson Peak trails. Stepping up to a moderate difficulty level opens up longer options, such as the 38.2-mile Bowman Lake Road and Meadow Lake Road Trail. However, the area's most famous is the 18.2-mile Rubicon Trail, one of the most difficult in the US. Given its standing as a popular tourist destination, Lake Tahoe offers five-star accommodations near off-roading trails and outdoor activity areas. Out of all the options covered on this list, it provides the most options for those looking to test their all-terrain abilities without straying too far from luxury lodging. Boulder, Colorado No list of off-roading locations would be complete without mentioning the beautiful state of Colorado and the epic Rocky Mountains. Boulder is the largest city mentioned yet, with a population surpassing 100,000. Yet despite being a more urbanized area, it sits a stone's throw from an expansive list of off-roading trails. As its name suggests, this area is mountainous, incorporating dense forests, large lakes, and substantial elevation gains. For those looking to sample more trails in a shorter period, well-known ones such as the Loch Lomond Trail, Middle St. Vrain, and Crystal City Road Trail all come in at under 10 miles each. This area is also known for having a high concentration of more challenging trails, such as the Chihuahua Lake Trail, Imogene Pass, and Mount Antero Trail, which, despite their relatively short length, will be difficult for those newer to the sport. Alongside these options, the Boulder area offers expansive hiking, biking, and camping locations. It is easily accessible via Denver, which sits 30 miles southeast. However, given that the Rocky Mountains stretch over 3,000 miles, essentially slicing through Canada and the entire US, it presents an ideal location for making a stop as part of a larger vacation or tackling the range as part of a larger road trip.

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    A silver Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV, a true Mercedes icon, is parked on a paved road with rocky hills and greenery in the background.

    by Gabriel Vega – May 15, 2025

    A Mercedes Icon, Electrified

    With four electric motors and 579-HP on tap, the G-Wagen is a technological powerhouse, but it’s a Geländewagen first. There are few luxury buyers more particular than G-Wagen owners. The Rolls-Royce and Pagani crowd certainly compare, but nothing else will do for those who’ve fallen under the G’s spell. There's a good reason for the fanaticism. Even as the luxury off-roader market swells, the Geländewagen remains the most characterful. From its boxy shape to its upright driving position, even down to its doors’ satisfying sound as they lock into place, the G’s cult following isn’t accidental.  Yet this heightened level of fanaticism creates a unique problem for Mercedes-Benz. Given the current regulations sweeping across Europe, the German carmaker has to build an electric variant of what is arguably the model most closely associated with its brand. However, as vehicles such as the EQS demonstrate, the three-pointed star isn’t afraid of taking risks with radical new designs, but as that car has also proven, big changes don’t always result in big sales.  The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology, its name a result of the marque partially ditching the “EQ” moniker in favor of the numeric designations it’s used for years, is the first-ever electric G-Wagen. However, it’s unlike any Mercedes EV before it in that it doesn’t dive headfirst into the future by completely ditching the past. It rides on a modified version of the ladder-frame platform that underpins the refreshed W465-generation truck, itself largely a carry-over from the W464-gen that debuted in late 2021.  Despite mainly being used as a luxury SUV, the G580’s retention of this ladder frame design means that going electric doesn’t come at the cost of off-roading prowess. Its battery, a pack with a 116 kilowatt-hour usable capacity, sits sandwiched within the frame to save space. Mercedes-Benz encased it in a torsion-resistant cage to protect it, allowing you to confidently tackle an off-roading trail worry-free. Additional underbody protection exists to ensure that this $162,650 ($192,690) offroader always comes home intact.  Four electric motors, one for each wheel, deliver a substantial output of 579 horsepower and 859 pound-feet of torque. Each is paired with its own transmission, and despite lacking traditional locking differentials, it achieves the same effect via its torque vectoring system. This setup also enables its G-Turn mode, which allows you to complete a full rotation on the spot, a helpful trick if you find yourself on a trail unable to proceed forward. Yet while its 4.6-second 0-60 mph time is rapid for a vehicle that weighs 6,746 pounds, 1,102 lb more than a Rolls-Royce Phantom for those keeping score, the range-topping G63 is still king thanks to its even quicker 4.2-second time.  In the real world, however, the EV feels like the swifter sibling, thanks to the instant response of its powertrain. Despite its weight, its excellently tuned dampers mean you don’t feel its extra heft in most scenarios. And like the broader W465-generation range, its ride is more compliant than previous models, achieving near Range Rover ride quality. Of course, the G’s quirks remain, such as a tall-riding body that leans hilariously and an upright driving position that makes you feel like you’re sitting more on the G than in it.  Yet herein lies its greatest strength. The G580 might be a technological powerhouse, but it’s a G-Wagen first. If you don’t catch its slightly smoothed-out grille, cladded A-pillars, or slightly flared wheel arches, you’d be hard-pressed to tell that you’re not looking at its gas-powered twin. Its steering remains heavy, its doors require a proper closing slam, and its interior space is unchanged.  There are some drawbacks, of course. Its EPA-estimated 239-mile range falls well short of the tri-motor R1S’s 371-mile figure, despite the Rivian producing significantly more power at 850 hp while offering comparable off-roading chops. The G’s 400-volt architecture means it’ll charge at a maximum of 200 kilowatts, taking 32 minutes to jump from 10 to 80%, and some of its regenerative braking settings could use some fine-tuning as coming to a smooth stop can be challenging.  For those for whom only a G-Wagen will do, the G580 nails the fundamentals of what makes a great electric vehicle. Its adoption of batteries doesn’t diminish its character. Regardless of the setting, it feels like a Geländewagen first and an EV second. One of the criticisms most often directed towards EVs is that their character is diminished by ditching their internal combustion powerplant. Yet, as the first electric Geländewagen demonstrates, the personality that built its cult-following lives on.  Stats: Motors: 4, one by each wheelBattery: 116 Kilowatt-hourRange: 239 Miles EPAWeight: 6,746 Pounds0-60 MPH: 4.6 SecondsBase Price: $162,650As-Tested Price: $192,690

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