BMW pulls the plug on its rumored G-Wagen rival: Report
BMW pulls the plug on its rumored G74 SUV, a planned rival to the Mercedes G-Wagen, according to a report citing BMWBlog. The German luxury brand never confirmed the model existed, and a spokesperson declined to comment on speculation about future products. Cost and a crowded luxury off-roader market are said to be behind the decision.
Key Takeaways
- BMW has reportedly canceled the rumored G74, a rugged SUV meant to compete with the Mercedes G-Wagen.
- The automaker never confirmed the project; a spokesperson told Robb Report it does not comment on future-product speculation.
- Reports say the decision came down to money and limited room in the luxury off-roader segment.
- The fifth-generation X5, which the G74 was said to be based on, still arrives in the U.S. with deliveries planned for December.
What did BMW cancel, and why does it matter?
According to Robb Report, BMWBlog reports that BMW has abandoned the rumored G74 SUV. That model was talked up as a direct rival to Mercedes-Benz’s iconic G-Wagen—and, in earlier chatter, to the Land Rover Range Rover.
For shoppers who track ultra-luxury status symbols—from statement SUVs to the estates that house them in our Luxury Real Estate & Dream Homes coverage—the cancellation closes a long-running “what if” in the German premium SUV race.
Was the BMW G74 ever a confirmed vehicle?
No. Despite two years of coverage, BMW never confirmed or denied that such a vehicle existed. When Robb Report sought comment, a BMW spokesperson said: “As a matter of policy, we do not comment on speculation regarding future product plans.”
That unconfirmed status matters: every detail about the G74 remains report-based, not an official product reveal.
What had reports claimed about the G74 before BMW pulls the plug?
Rumors surfaced in spring 2024 that BMW was developing a rugged, off-road-focused SUV. It was said to be based on the fifth-generation X5, unveiled recently, and engineered with serious off-roading in mind.
A year later, Automotive News reported the 4×4 would likely use an internal-combustion engine, could potentially replace the XM in BMW’s SUV lineup, and might be built at the brand’s South Carolina factory starting in 2029.
Why did BMW abandon the G-Wagen rival plan?
BMWBlog’s reporting, as relayed by Robb Report, says early excitement around the project faded. The answer is said to be financial: BMW does not believe there is enough room in the luxury off-roader segment to justify investing in a completely new vehicle.
In other words, the segment already has entrenched icons, and a from-scratch challenger may not have penciled out.
What BMW SUV is still coming instead?
While the G74 is reportedly off the table, the X5 it was said to be based on is moving ahead. Three launch models are planned: the gas-powered X5 40, the hybrid X5 50e xDrive, and the battery-powered iX5 60 xDrive.
U.S. pricing is set to begin at $71,250, with deliveries scheduled to begin in December—so BMW’s next big SUV story is the refreshed X5, not a boxy G-Wagen fighter.