In 1989, when the communist countries started to fall apart, Mercedes-Benz started a new era for its well-known G-Class.
Even if it was just a facelift, its modifications were ample.

The demands for more luxurious cars left the G-Class behind. The car was not comfortable by Mercedes-Benz standards and its features were far from what the German car-maker customers expected from it. On the other hand, it was the only 4x4 vehicle built by Mercedes-Benz and the rising star on the market was the Range Rover.

The car was upgraded from the inside out. They started with the technological sides. The car was fitted with an all-wheel-drive system instead of the older 4x4 on-demand one. To keep the same rugged all-terrain abilities, the car was fitted with three locking differentials, a system that made a difference between the G-Class and most of the other off-road vehicles on the market.

The interior was redesigned starting with an empty shell. Some ideas were carried over from the other Mercedes-Benz models such as the E-Class (W124). More comfortable seats with seatbelts for all five passengers were included. Power windows were added for all four doors. To add a touch of luxury, the leather upholstery was complemented by wood grain on the dashboard and the center console.

The engine lineup was improved with the introduction of better engines and newly developed automatic gearboxes. The base model offered a mere 94 hp from a 2.5-liter turbocharged diesel engine while the top version featured a 5.0-liter V8 gasoline unit.