Expert explains why rich people always buy Mercedes G-Wagens and it's not about looks or luxury
Published on Jul 08, 2026 at 4:05 AM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Jul 08, 2026 at 4:05 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
This expert has revealed the reason why rich people are so fond of Mercedes G-Wagens – and it’s not got anything to do with luxury or looks.
That’s not to say that G-Wagens aren’t nice looking SUVs in their own right.
But there could be another factor lurking here, and it’s a tad more subtle.
One content creator has been doing the rounds by revealing he thinks people with big bank accounts are gravitating towards this car.
This is why the rich love Mercedes G-Wagens
If you were asked to envision cars that a rich person would buy, a few things would likely come to mind.
Perhaps you’re thinking of the ultimate car collection, like the $5 billion one that belongs to the Sultan of Brunei.
Or maybe your mind wanders over to cars like this Rolls-Royce, touted as the world’s most expensive new car.
Cars of the rich are usually imagined to be slick, smooth and streamlined, with a ton of amenities in tow.
The Mercedes G-Wagen isn’t quite that.
So why do the rich like it so much?
Content creator Faares Quadri (@faares.q) believed he had the answer, which he laid out in a viral Instagram reel.
He played out the role of both a shopper and a dealership rep to make his point.
“Why do rich people all drive G-Wagens?” he asked.
“It’s not to look rich; it’s because of a special IRS tax code called Section 179, which allows people to write off the entire purchase price of the vehicle if it’s used for business.”
How does Section 179 work?
Unless you’re an accountant or very well versed in the world of tax codes, Section 179 will likely mean nothing for you.
So how does it work exactly?
Under Section 179, business owners can deduct a portion of the cost of qualifying vehicles.
How does a vehicle qualify? It has to be used for work purposes and weigh more than 6,000 pounds.
The latter rule isn’t totally set in stone, but we’ll get into that later.
We imagine the IRS likely had certain types of vehicles and certain types of drivers in mind.
It was probably more directed towards tradespeople who need a van or a truck to carry around tools.
At any rate, some rich people have spied an opportunity to shave some money off their purchase.
And the G-Wagen hits the sweet spot because it hovers around the weight test.
What other vehicles shine when Section 179 is taken into account?
Quadri noted that there are other vehicles which would pass the weight test of Section 179.
This includes – but is not limited to – the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade, Tesla Model X, and Ford Expedition.
However, it should be noted that lighter vehicles aren’t ruled out of deductions altogether.
There’s just a cap on how much tax deductions can be had.
At any rate, it’s clear that many people are looking to save some money.
After President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed into law last year, the Section 179 deduction limit was raised from $1 million to $2.5 million.
Will we see Mercedes G-Wagens’ sales figure shoot up as a result? Only time will tell.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
