Why New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson called this SUV ‘the best thing on the planet’

The New York Knicks set social media ablaze on May 7 with their comeback victory over the Boston Celtics. It was the second time in three days that the team came back from a 20-point deficit to beat the Celtics in three days. Point guard Jalen Brunson has been getting plenty of attention since signing a four-year $104 million contract with the Knicks in July, 2022.

What does a person who earns roughly $26 million a year (for the duration of the contract) drive? Brunson expressed his love for one particular Mercedes-Benz model on his podcast Roommates Show with fellow Knicks player Josh Hart.

Knicks player Jalen Brunson owns this Mercedes-Benz SUV

In an episode entitled Jalen & Josh Reveal Their Insane Luxuries No One Knows About, the multimillionaire basketball players discuss some of their most expensive vehicles with rapper and TV show host Action Bronson. Brunson keeps it nonchalant, claiming he just has a Range Rover and Mercedes. His co-host Josh Hart responds “it’s not just a Mercedes though” hinting that the Knicks point guard may be short-selling his particular Benz model.

Hart and Bronson poked fun at Brunson’s humility, eventually goading him into admitting that he has a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon (3:27 in the podcast episode). He then exclaims the G-Class is the “best thing on the planet”. Hart jokes that he “couldn’t afford that one” in response and claims to own a Cadillac Escalade because of its spacious interior. So, is Jalen Brunson’s praise of the G-Class warranted, or is this German luxury SUV all hype and no value?

Is the Mercedes-Benz G-Class worth its hefty price tag?

The podcast episode where Brunson mentions owning a Mercedes-Benz G-Class is from August, 2024, so he was likely referring to an older model year. That said, every model year that was released since Brunson was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 has a starting MSRP of around $125,000. So, the star Knicks player likely paid at least $125K for his Mercedes-Benz SUV if it was a new model at the time of purchasing. Does the G-Class provide enough value to justify this price?

The latest 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is “beautifully engineered” and “far more capable than 99% of buyers will ever discover,” according to BBC’s Top Gear. Top Gear is alluding to the G-Wagon’s legitimate off-roading chops thanks to its ground clearance and rugged build. It has 9.5 inches of ground clearance, which is an inch more than Edmunds’ 8.5-inch general rule of thumb for off-road vehicles.

As for features, Mercedes-Benz spares no expense on its iconic SUV. The base model comes standard with:

• Heated front and rear seats

• High-gloss natural grain wood trim

• 64-color ambient interior lighting

• Dual 12.3-inch widescreen displays and an augmented reality navigation system

German automaker Mercedes-Benz is known for producing powerful and opulent luxury vehicles. The latest base model G-Wagon is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 mild-hybrid powertrain system that produces a whopping 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque.

Why do celebrities buy the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon?

Brunson is far from the only multimillionaire or celebrity who owns a G-Wagon. Several other celebrities, athletes, and entrepreneurs have proudly purchased Mercedes-Benz G-Class models including Kylie Jenner, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Simone Biles. The G-Wagon isn’t just a status symbol. It has serious appeal as a powerful and luxurious SUV for drivers who can look past the sticker price.

The first generation G-Class launched in 1979. Nearly 50 years later, the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon has become the embodiment of class and capability. From refined cabin materials to advanced technology and even off-roading chops, this SUV checks plenty of boxes for drivers like The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson. To quote Josh Hart again, “it’s not just a Mercedes”.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why NY Knicks’ Jalen Brunson calls this SUV the best on the planet