Icon FJ44 Takes on Mercedes-AMG G65 on Head 2 Head

On this episode of “Head 2 Head,” Jonny Lieberman and Jason Cammisa compare the ever-evolving Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen to a resto-modded Icon FJ44 based on a 1973 Toyota Land Cruiser. Both off-road-capable SUVs are priced at $222,000.

Although the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has received few updates to its chassis and body since it hit the streets in 1979, its powertrains, interior, and technology have evolved over the years, keeping it popular with discriminating buyers. For this episode, the hosts choose a top-spec Mercedes-AMG G65 with the twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 with 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission can route power to all four wheels.

The 1973 Toyota Land Cruiser-based Icon FJ44 has been thoroughly revamped with only the original chassis plate left untouched. The SUV rides on an Art Morrison frame, while the new aluminum body panels have been powdercoated for durability. Power comes from a GM-sourced supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 rated 540 hp and 495 lb-ft and is backed by a four-speed automatic transmission.

After taking both rigs to the mean streets of Beverly Hills, Lieberman and Cammisa head to the track for some instrumented testing. The Icon FJ44 reached 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, while the G65 AMG did the deed in 5.2 seconds. While both SUVs pulled a paltry 0.56 g lateral average around the figure-eight, the FJ44 did it in 29.1 seconds compared to the Mercedes SUV’s 30.5-second lap time.

Next, the duo head off-road where Lieberman gets the Icon stuck in a river due to not locking it into four-wheel-drive. Cammisa mangled the G65’s front bumper on a large rock towing him out. After extolling the virtues of each vehicle, they do some actual off-road driving before heading to the chassis dyno.

Check out the full video below to see which off-road-capable rig wins this comparison.

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