The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen might not strike as you as the most evo of cars. Yet what you see here is no regular, school-run SUV. It's a German Land Rover Defender alternative, a tough all-terrain vehicle that's been in production since the 1970s and boasts genuine off-road ability, as well as military credentials.

After a good chunk of time away, it's now back on UK sale. And while the monster G55 AMG version will always grab the headlines, the G350 Bluetec diesel is torque-rich and much better suited to the boxy Wagen's more utilitarian nature. In our exclusive video review, below, Chris Harris gets dirty with it on and off road.