They share the same familiar Mercedes shape, but when you put our three G-Wagons side by side, the differences are clear. One is a compact single-seater, one has more power and upgraded wheels, and the XL needs a fairly generous parking space.
When parents ask us which to choose, we usually start with three questions: how many children will be riding, what is the ground like, and where will you keep it?
The most expensive model won’t automatically be the best fit for your family. Here is how we would help you choose.
Our three Mercedes G-Wagons at a glance
| 12V G-Wagon | 24V Luxury G-Wagon | XL 2x24V Luxury G-Wagon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seating | One child | One child | Two smaller children or one larger child |
| Motors | Two 30W motors | Two 200W motors | Four 200W motors; true four-wheel drive |
| Wheels | Plastic with a rubber tread strip | EVA foam wheels | EVA foam wheels |
| Maximum rider weight | 25kg | 30kg | 60kg combined |
| Dimensions, L × W × H | 106 × 54 × 62cm | 116 × 68 × 59cm | 159 × 81 × 93cm |
| Parent remote | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Why choose it? | A compact starting point for one child | More power and upgraded features in a single-seater | Shared rides, more room and four-wheel drive |
Check the individual product listing and instructions for age guidance and suitability before ordering. Weight capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether a child fits comfortably.
One driver, or someone coming along too?
This is often the quickest way to narrow it down. Both the 12V and the standard 24V Luxury are single-seaters. If you are hoping for siblings to ride together, look at the XL.
We know how much children enjoy having someone beside them. Ours spent years sharing our large Can-Am, and it was still taking both of them along muddy tracks and through woodland when they were eight and five. We have since passed it on to friends for their two daughters, with plenty of use left in it.
That was our Can-Am, rather than the XL G-Wagon, so we aren’t claiming to have put this exact Mercedes through the same outings; however, these two models have identical specifications. That's why we understand the appeal of a roomy buggy that can carry two children.
With the XL, check how your children fit together on the bench as well as their combined weight. Two small children and two older children need very different amounts of room.
When would we suggest the 12V?
If one child will be driving around a level garden or another suitable private space, the 12V Mercedes G-Wagon is well worth considering.
It has the Mercedes styling, opening doors, and parent remote that many families want, in the smallest footprint of the three. For short, dry, fairly flat grass and firm, level ground, you may not need to spend more.
Grass is the part we would ask about. A neatly cut, dry lawn is very different from long grass on a slope, especially once it is wet. Describing both as “the garden” doesn’t really tell us what the car will be tackling!
Our daughter used a different 12V Jeep, so we have experience with this type of ride-on in family use. We would still want to know about your ground and your child before suggesting it over either of the larger options.
What does the single-seat 24V Luxury add?
The 24V Mercedes G-Wagon Luxury Edition makes sense when you want a more powerful single-seater without moving up to the XL.
Its twin 200W motors, EVA foam wheels and four-wheel spring suspension are the main differences we would point out. It also has a leather-style seat, and the carry handle and trolley wheels are useful when it needs moving after a drive.
We would look closely at this model for a family wanting one seat and a more substantial specification. However, four-wheel suspension does not mean four-wheel drive. This model has two motors; the XL has four.
It is also wider than the 12V. Before choosing it for that extra room, check the route between its storage spot and the garden. A narrow side gate can make that decision for you.
Who is the XL really for?
The XL Mercedes G-Wagon is for those who want two seats, more space, and true four-wheel drive.
With four 200W motors, it is a considerable step up. For families with access to ground that is more demanding than a flat lawn, that drive system makes a real difference. It still needs to be used within the conditions set out in its instructions; more power doesn’t make every surface suitable, but we have seen our equivalent - the large Can-Am- tackle muddy, stony and uphill terrain.
But please measure before ordering. At 159cm long and 81cm wide, this is a big ride-on. Consider the shed door, the gate, the turning space, and whether you will need to move it regularly. We would rather help you check those things beforehand than have you discover it doesn’t fit where you planned to keep it.
One other detail: the XL’s two 24V batteries do not make it a 48V car. When comparing it with other models, look at the complete specifications, including the motors and drive system.
A quick word about age and the remote
We regularly hear from parents shopping ahead for a younger child. Having a remote is helpful, but it doesn’t change the model’s stated age recommendation or remove the need for supervision.
Follow the age guidance and instructions for the car you choose. When your child is ready, check that they sit securely and can use the controls comfortably if they will be driving themselves. Give them room to practise steering, starting and stopping on suitable private land with permission.
What we would ask before you buy
If you are still deciding, send us your child’s age and height, whether anyone else will ride with them, and a description of the ground. A photo can be particularly helpful if you are unsure about the garden.
For one child and straightforward ground, we would start with the 12V. For a single-seater with more power and upgraded wheels, compare the 24V Luxury. For shared rides and true four-wheel drive, look at the XL—then grab the tape measure!
Frequently asked questions
Is the 24V G-Wagon a two-seater?
The standard 24V Luxury Edition has one seat. The XL Luxury Edition has a bench for two smaller children or one larger child, subject to fit and its combined weight limit.
Which Mercedes G-Wagon has four-wheel drive?
The XL has true four-wheel drive with four 200W motors. The standard 24V Luxury has two 200W motors. Its four-wheel suspension is a separate feature.
Do the EVA wheels need to be pumped up?
No. The EVA foam wheels fitted to these 24V G-Wagons are not air-filled tyres.
