OSrunner

Okay, before anyone gives me a "go check it out for yourself" -- I don't have a MB dealership near me at this moment and my wife and I are having a discussion. Sorry!

Her car is on its way out the door and we are strongly considering a few G 550 (2023) that we see on lots in our area. I've had a 2021 Land Cruiser for the past two years and it's infotainment system is archaic but bulletproof. That said, I've seen a few video/reviews that just slam the Comand system saying that not only is it slow to load up upon starting the vehicle, but it's laggy, and difficult to navigate through all the menus ... these videos are 2 and 3 years old and not about the G, just discussing the infotainment shared in other vehicles. So I think okay, these videos are older and complaining about the system being dated, how will I feel about this infotainment in my daily driver in 5+ years from now...?

This would likely become my daily driver, as my wife likes the Land Cruiser. I listen to XM radio and use google maps or waze. The technology would be an improvement from what I have now, but I hate to think of spending $170k on something that is horribly slow and difficult to use.

So...do you have a G Class with the comand system? Is it THAT bad? Any thoughts or warnings? I might be wrong but it doesn't seem like waiting another year will include the newer infotainment.

Thank you,

James

R1200gs

I have a 2023 G550 and traded from a 2021 Porsche Macan. The Command system is slower to boot and more cumbersome to navigate than the Porsche system. The Porsche is all touchscreen control, and the G550 Command is controlled through a scroll wheel/touchpad/steering wheel touch button. Apple CarPlay must be connected by USB cord, not wireless. The Command was slightly annoying at first, but it has not lessened my opinion of the truck. I have learned its quirks and don’t worry about it. I love my G.

dcarrer0

I have a 21 G63. Daily driver. Absolutely love it! Glad it's a Command and not a touch screen. Love the knobs and manual command. Dislike touchscreens. Just get dirty. Too many hidden commands too.
i don't think it's slow. Enjoy watching it start up and seeing AMG. Same system in my Aston Martin. I don't see any flaws in it except plugging in for carplay which I don't use.

Hodog16

We all have G’s with command. It’s not that bad and I use CarPlay 100% anyway so it doesn’t matter what the oem system is.

Wireless CarPlay would eventually be good but it’s not a big deal to plug in and keep the phone in the middle console.

Nobody buys this car for infotainment but I hope you can find a G550 for cheaper than $170k assuming you aren’t talking about Canadian dollars.

OSrunner

This is really helpful - thank you for your insight!

OSrunner

this is a good point that my wife mentioned as well - I hate finger prints and all the smudges. I would use CarPlay almost exclusively but plugging it in is not the end of the world. Thank you!

OSrunner

good point - I am not buying this FOR the infotainment but I love music and would use CarPlay almost exclusively…glad to know the OEM system does not impact CarPlay.

that said — the navigation of CarPlay is still through the dials/knob in the center console is it not? Is this not annoying or is this easy to use after a few times?

$170 is a stretch but only rounding up a few thousand. Most in my area are $158-$165 w/o any ADMs

superswiss

You'll be fine. It's not slow. Those videos might be talking about the older COMAND. The latest COMAND NTG 5.5 especially after 2019 is quite good. Uses the same backend as MBUX complete with OTA updates for maps etc. and the same phone app. Prior to 2019 COMAND was using an older online platform called mBrace, which was much clunkier, slower etc. and didn't have OTA updates, and the phone app also kinda sucked. So there are generational differences to be aware of and differences between model years.

Like somebody else said above, I'm glad my 2019 C63 has COMAND NTG 5.5 and not MBUX. While MBUX is newer, it's been quite buggy and is a step backwards in a number of areas. I'm also not fond of touchscreens in cars. Still think it's the dumbest idea to have to play Whac-A-Mole if you want to change a setting while driving and your arm is all bouncing up and down because you can't rest it on anything. The physical controls of COMAND are way better to operate while driving, because they are always in the same place and you can rest your arm to operate them.

R1200gs

Have you driven the G wagon yet? Once you hear the throaty exhaust at all RPMs, the need for music will become secondary. I’m happy with the Burmeister stereo sound, but I find I keep the volume low so I can listen to the roar.

OSrunner

I have ridden in a G63 but not a 550 (which is what I'm shopping for) … is a standard 550 still super loud?

dcarrer0

Listen, I owned a 550 for almost 2yrs. Traded it in last Monday for a 63. Just unbelievable. Once I put the pedal to the floor I knew I wanted it. The 550 amg exhaust was great imo. The 63 exhaust is another level.
I also had mine programmed to have the flaps always open, no ECO start/stop, lane assist only vibrates, lanes flashes at 5 nit 3, and it starts in whatever dynamic mode i want it to.

OSrunner

INTERESTING … I was not aware this was the newer version of comand! Thank you so much for the explanation!!

R1200gs

From the 550 prospective, I would not say it is super loud(hooligan), but it is vey noticeable rumble and not shy. I’ve previously had a SRT Grand Cherokee with a aftermarket cat back exhaust and the G550 sounds so much more authoritative.

OSrunner

haha! That’s awesome. Congratulations on your new ride!

the 63 is an amazing machine…just on another stratosphere really. Did you use a someone local to you for the programming? Some of those changes are really nice!

dcarrer0

Benzninja.com1. Disabled ECO start/stop2. Active Lane Assist only vibrates now. No jerking.3. AMG exhaust flaps stay open.4. Starts up in any Dynamic mode you choose.5. Lane changing flashes 5 times instead of 3 times.

Bob Z.

iTrader: (1)

The G550 is not loud at all, so when I had mine, I swapped the mufflers out for the ones off a G63, which made it sound much better. My wife wants an electric SUV so I am getting the first one my dealer gets when it is released...no way I will get rid of my loud Porsche when that arrives!

dcarrer0

My 550 was loud. It had the amg exhaust package. Not as loud as 63. Different sound. Imo 550 sounded great!

Bob Z.

iTrader: (1)

I had the same option but it still was not anywhere close to what the G63 sounded like, until I swapped the mufflers. Needless to say, sound is subjective so one really needs to hear them in person.

dcarrer0

Preach it!

Hodog16

The inputs are ok--for example if you are looking for a specific artist in Carplay instead of pushing on the right margin and getting the letter you have to scroll quickly so that it jumps into a letter mode and you select the letter you want. It's easy to get used to after awhile.

I don't really use the black touch part, mainly the circular scroll and the steering wheel Blackberry-like pad.