Ever since I attended the Munich debut of the Mercedes-Benz Idea EQG in 2021, the place it premiered with a Buck Rogers–type sci-fi mini movie that featured design head Gorden Wagener alongside individuals in alien costumes, the electrical G-Class has lived hire free in my mind. I can’t consider one other new automotive I’ve been this enthusiastic about, and going to the Beverly Hills reveal of the manufacturing G-wagen EV on the finish of April simply amplified it.
In some way, really driving the electrical G-wagen each on the paved roads round southern France and on some treacherous off-road programs at Mercedes’ world first-drive exceeded my fairly astronomical expectations. Not solely is it higher to drive on the highway than gas-powered G-wagens, it’s even higher within the tough stuff. Most significantly, the EV has all the attraction and character that G-Class homeowners love a lot; if I have been blindfolded and put in a single, I’d immediately realize it was a G-Class.
Full disclosure: Mercedes-Benz flew me to Montpellier, France to drive the whole 2025 G-Class lineup, from the brand new inline-6 G550 to the hybridized G63 AMG and, after all, the electrical G580. They put us up in two completely different fancy wineries, fed us wonderful meals together with G-wagen–formed cookies, and in addition allow us to drive a bunch of heritage G-Class fashions. I used to be grinning from ear-to-ear the whole time. Additionally, I lastly watched Tenet on the airplane experience house and didn’t prefer it.
The electrical G-wagen’s official title is G580 with EQ Know-how, which is a clunker. Mercedes is shifting away from its EQ branding total, thus why it isn’t referred to as EQG, however the firm desires to retain a few of the EQ division’s branding and styling parts because it transitions to turning into a totally electric-only model over the subsequent decade. Naming it G580 makes it clear that that is nonetheless only a G-Class on the finish of the day, and Mercedes’ engineers, entrepreneurs and executives have agreed that nobody will discuss with this automotive by its full title anyway — everybody will simply name it “the electrical G” or one thing related. It’s a G-wagen, finish of story.
However below the pores and skin the electrical G-Class is a radical departure from each G that got here earlier than it, probably the most thorough transforming of the mannequin for the reason that 2018 redesign (and doubtless much more so, truthfully). The electrical mannequin needed to retain the identical ladder body as the usual G, which was a problem for packaging the batteries and different powertrain parts as you possibly can solely match a lot throughout the present platform. The G580 has a two-tiered 116-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that’s just like the one present in the EQS, with all the 216 cells contained throughout the ladder body’s construction. The body itself has been bolstered, too.
The G580 makes use of a quad-motor configuration — one of many solely such setups within the business together with Rimac and Rivian, although Mercedes was first to deliver a quad-motor EV to manufacturing with the SLS Electrical Drive again in 2013. Every of the G580’s 145-hp motors has its personal centrally shifted two-speed transmission and the entrance and rear motors are every constructed right into a shared housing that incorporates two motors, transmissions, and a double inverter. Whole output is 579 horsepower and 859 pound-feet of torque, 2 hp and 232 lb-ft greater than the brand new mild-hybrid G63 AMG and 136 hp and 446 lb-ft greater than the brand new mild-hybrid six-cylinder G550. The motors are mounted on to the ladder body, with dual-joint driveshafts which have slip joints connecting them to the wheels. Whereas the G580 has an impartial double-wishbone entrance suspension like different G-wagens, the rear axle makes use of a newly developed De Dion setup, which Mercedes says means camber doesn’t change with compression.
The EV wanted to seem like a G-wagen, so there are solely a few tells that you just’re taking a look at an electrical one. As normal it has the identical four-bar grille and entrance air intakes because the G550, which additionally eschews uncovered exhaust ideas. The electrical G has a barely taller hood bulge and air curtains forward of the rear wheels, plus EQ badges on the fenders, however in any other case it seems an identical to the gas-powered G’s. Add the out there AMG Line bundle and also you get wider fender flares, and naturally the G580 might be had with a couple of completely different Night time Packages that black out a lot of the trim, in addition to another design packages and exterior trim choices.
If you wish to make certain individuals know your G-wagen is electrical, there are a couple of choices you possibly can select. The primary is the black panel grille remedy, which provides the G580 a largely blocked-off grille with 4 skinny horizontal slats and a chrome grille border that illuminates with the headlights, plus a shiny black {surround} that extends to {surround} the headlights. I believe this setup seems extraordinarily cool, particularly in the event you go for the elective black fender flares and bumpers, and it’s a pleasant retro nod to the unique G-wagen’s entrance finish.
The opposite choice is the Design Field on the rear that replaces the normal spare tire. This rounded rectangle is hinged on the identical aspect because the tailgate itself, opening as much as reveal a surprisingly giant storage compartment that has a devoted area for the charging cable, plus cubbies and nets for different gadgets. Not less than on the Version One fashions, the outside of the field has a break up coloration setup, with the higher part being black to mix in with the strains of the rear window. I actually just like the Design Field, and I believe most homeowners would get extra use out of it than the spare tire, although it’s nice that each can be found. Monster 4×4 Squared fashions apart, the G580 can be the primary G-Class to supply a spare tire delete from the manufacturing facility, placing the Mercedes star low down on the tailgate and including a refined clean panel the place the spare tire mount can be.
Virtually nothing concerning the cabin lets you realize this G-wagen is electrical, both. There are some EV-specific info menus and gauge cluster designs… and that’s mainly it. Lastly the G-Class will get a central touchscreen working the MBUX infotainment system, an enormous improve over the previous Comand setup, and it has Mercedes’ glorious voice assistant. The dashboard local weather controls have been streamlined, and there’s a brand new steering wheel. Visually zhuzhing up the inside are extra ambient lighting strips, climate-controlled cupholders and new trim parts. Most likely the most important deal for present homeowners is the addition of keyless entry for the primary time on a G-wagen, together with for the swing-out tailgate, with out dropping the bolt-action rifle locks or the heft of the doorways and the tactile expertise you get with the latches.
From the second I set off, the G580 feels similar to every other G-wagen by way of total character, nevertheless it’s improved in some vital methods. The steering feels heftier than the G550’s, which I believe is a constructive, and it’s nonetheless straightforward to drive with only a few fingers or a light-weight contact. Although it has common metal springs with adaptive dampers, the experience high quality is significantly better than on a G550 or normal G63, it soaks up extra highway imperfections, and the suspension has pitch and roll stabilization however nonetheless permits sufficient of the basic G-wagen lean in corners. I want the G580 was out there with the G63’s new Energetic Experience hydraulic suspension, which massively adjustments the G’s dynamics, however the G580 continues to be a greater expertise than the G63 with out it.
Regardless of being about half a second slower to 60 mph than the V8-powered G63 — Mercedes quotes a 4.6-second 0-to-60-mph time, versus 4.2 seconds for the G63 and 5.3 seconds within the six-cylinder G550 — the G580 feels a lot faster in actual life. As you possibly can see from my video beneath, it doesn’t lose steam because the velocity rises, surging forwards in direction of a 112-mph prime velocity. Flooring it’s giggle-inducing; like with different G-wagens the entire entrance finish rises up like a ship below acceleration – it’s enjoyable, it nonetheless feels managed. The powertrain is a lot extra responsive than even the G63’s V8, and the torque vectoring capabilities imply I can carry extra velocity right into a nook and speed up more durable popping out of 1 with out worrying about whether or not this huge tank can deal with it. Each G-wagen is giggle-inducing to drive, and the G580 is not any exception.
Each 2025 G-Class is way quieter than final yr’s mannequin because of a bunch of small aerodynamic tweaks, like a smoother A-pillar and a brand new spoiler at the vanguard of the roof, that have been primarily carried out to enhance the EV’s vary. The electrical G additionally has extra sound insulation, and it’s simply the quietest G-wagen ever, with acoustic consolation worthy of the vault feeling you get from slamming the door. At increased speeds some wind noise nonetheless penetrates — there’s no getting round how upright and flat the greenhouse is — nevertheless it’s way more luxurious total.
Aside from the way it seems, doubtlessly probably the most essential factor concerning the G580 is the way it sounds, doubly so with the inside being such a relaxed setting. For many years now G-wagens have been identified for his or her side-exit exhaust ideas and signature rumbling engine observe and each are absent on the EV. As an alternative, Mercedes developed what it calls G-Roar, described as a “a formidable acoustic accompaniment to the acceleration with deep bass and sonorous tones.” The sounds aren’t very intense when tootling round in Consolation, however in Sport mode the G-Roar actually comes alive. It doesn’t sound like an engine, per se, nevertheless it gives most of the similar auditory sensations that the G63’s V8 does. It burbles at low speeds, with an intense waffling sound getting louder below acceleration. The sounds are audible from outdoors the automotive too. Like different EV sounds it definitely gained’t be for everybody, however I completely find it irresistible.
There are 5 completely different ranges of regenerative braking within the G580, together with a no-regen mode and an auto mode that adjusts the recuperation based on your driving and the visitors forward. Essentially the most intense of the 5 settings doesn’t fairly give the G580 one-pedal driving, which is a disgrace, however with 217 kW of recuperation functionality the regen is robust sufficient to get nearly all the work finished, and it even takes me a bit to get used to how aggressive the preliminary deceleration is. Fortunately the G580 isn’t plagued with the moving-pedal characteristic that Mercedes’ early EQ fashions had. Regenerative braking is without doubt one of the most transformative additions to the G-wagen’s driving expertise, and it’s one of many issues I miss probably the most after I leap again right into a G550 after driving the EV.
I don’t have sufficient time within the G580 to get a way of its real-world vary, however it is going to be greater than sufficient for the typical G-wagen proprietor. In Europe the G580 has a most vary of 295 miles on the WLTP cycle, which can seemingly work out to round 250 to 275 miles within the U.S. EPA cycle. Positive, within the grand scheme of EVs that’s not lots, however the gas-powered G-wagens get such shitty fuel mileage that almost all homeowners will most likely discover it to be an enchancment. I imply, the present G63 is rated at 13 mpg within the metropolis, and in the true world it’s a lot worse than that — the 2025 G63’s mild-hybrid setup will assist, however not by a major quantity.
The G580 helps DC fast-charging of speeds as much as 200 kW, adequate to go from 10 to 80 % cost in 32 minutes. Mercedes says mainly all homeowners will cost at house anyway, and G-Class homeowners would usually take one in every of their different vehicles if they should do a highway journey. But when the vary can be a concern, like for those who need to do longer-distance off-roading or overlanding, Mercedes says that in a couple of years the G580 will grow to be out there with new silicon-anode batteries that may increase power density by 40 % and improve vary by round 100 miles.
So, the electrical G-wagen is implausible on highway, the place commenters will say that almost all of them will spend all their time anyway, however a G-Class nonetheless must be the most effective off-roader attainable regardless of the powertrain — and the EV is. The G580’s 9.8 inches of floor clearance is 0.3 inches larger than a G550, and its method and departure angles are barely higher as nicely, although the breakover angle is 5.7 levels worse. It could climb a 100-percent grade similar to different G-wagens, and it’s secure on sideways slopes of as much as 35 levels.
Mercedes has arrange an hour-long off-road course that snakes across the vineyard’s hills, for which I swap into a unique G580, this one painted Sand Beige with the out there 18-inch wheels sporting Falken Wildpeak A/T all-terrain tires. (If you need this setup, you sadly can’t select the AMG Line that provides wider rear fenders.) That is no newbie’s course, both. It’s been raining all day, so there are extra mud puddles and washed-out sections than Mercedes anticipated, and the course is filled with deep ruts, difficult rock-crawling sections and different hazards.
One of many G-wagen’s longtime signature options are its lockable differentials, of which fashionable fashions have three, however the electrical G580 doesn’t have any diff lockers — at the least, not “actual” ones. Due to the quad-motor setup, the G580 makes use of torque vectoring to create digital differential locks that work robotically, controlling the torque at every wheel inside fractions of a second. Whether or not you’re sliding round like a rally driver or slowly climbing a rocky hill, the G580 is at all times getting the optimum quantity of energy and traction to every wheel.
What’s not digital is the G580’s Low Vary, an precise off-road 2:1 gear discount that’s out there within the Rock drive mode, which is what I keep in for the entire drive. Low Vary works at as much as 53 mph, and Mercedes says the automotive’s dealing with and response traits change when it’s activated. In Low Vary the motors are placing out 3,319 lb-ft of torque; Mercedes’ engineers say that determine could possibly be a lot increased however that will be pointless.
When Low Vary is activated, utilizing a button within the middle of the sprint the place the diff lockers usually can be, the G580’s crawl management perform is straight away turned on as nicely. It mainly works like an off-road cruise management, managed by the identical steering wheel paddles that usually management regen braking. Within the slowest setting the automotive maintains a velocity of simply 1 mph, whereas within the quickest setting the G580 goes 5 mph on degree or uphill terrain and has no set velocity whereas going downhill, as a substitute utilizing the recuperation to sluggish the car relying on how steep the grade is. The center setting known as “variable crawl,” and it retains the automotive at a strolling tempo.
In any of the three settings the driving force continues to be capable of speed up or brake if wanted, and the automotive will return to the crawl velocity after or keep the velocity you’ve adjusted to. The crawl management works in reverse too, because the G580 in entrance of me demonstrates by backing up a really steep, rocky hill. It seems like footage being performed in reverse, prefer it shouldn’t be attainable to do in actual life. Not needing to do any acceleration or braking inputs makes off-roading a lot much less irritating, particularly when going up a steep grade or by a very tough part, and the general quietness of the cabin provides to the calmness. I can hear the motors whirring as rocks ping towards the underbody, and it’s straightforward to carry a dialog with my passenger and benefit from the sounds of nature whereas nonetheless specializing in the path. The G-Class additionally has a brand new clear hood characteristic that makes use of the surround-view cameras to point out a digital view of what’s beneath the entrance finish.
One of the widespread issues with electrical off-roaders is defending the battery pack, and Mercedes has that taken care of. Masking almost the whole underbody is a one-inch-thick protect panel that’s two skinny items of carbon sandwiching a particular composite that Mercedes gained’t discuss but, with a layer of stone-chip safety added on. The panel weighs simply 127 kilos, one-third of what a metal panel can be, it’s bolted onto the body with 50 metal fasteners so it might simply get replaced if wanted. The battery, motor housings, suspension parts and different vital elements are additionally designed to face up to mud, water, and different excessive situations and put on.
The G580 can even ford water as much as 33.5 inches deep, 5.9 inches larger than the gas-powered G’s, which I get to expertise by driving by an opaque muddy river. My Mercedes engineer co-pilot remarks that due to the rain this water crossing is extra like 35.5 inches deep, however the G580 makes it by no drawback, utilizing crawl management to wade by at a better set velocity. The EV’s silence positively makes water coming as much as the highest of the hood much more nerve-wracking, although.
We come to a cease in a muddy parking zone to check out G-Flip, the electrical G-wagen’s largest social gathering trick. It’s straightforward to activate, although it does take a couple of steps. With one foot on the brake, first you press the G-Flip button on the sprint subsequent to Low Vary, and then you definitely maintain down the steering wheel paddle that’s within the path you need the automotive to spin. Whereas holding the paddle and preserving the steering wheel completely straight — even a slight flip will cancel the movement — put your proper foot on the accelerator, launch the brake, and the automotive begins spinning completely in place. Most individuals will most likely use G-Flip to make bystanders stare in awe and chortle (and Mercedes says it shouldn’t be used on pavement), however it is going to be a real assist if it is advisable to flip round on a path or get round an impediment.
If it seems hilarious from outdoors the automotive, it’s even funnier while you’re contained in the automotive experiencing it. There are not any unusual noises or unsettling vibrations, there’s no physique roll or suspension flex. The G-wagen stays completely flat and secure because it spins round — at fairly a excessive velocity, I would add. It’ll just do over two full rotations earlier than coming to a cease, although the driving force can instantly cancel the spin at any time by letting go of the paddle, taking their foot off the accelerator or turning the steering wheel. You may hold activating the G-Flip again and again, too.
Not as spectacular visually however helpful in much more conditions is the G-Steering perform, which is toggled by the third locker-replacing button on the sprint. By controlling the torque being despatched to every wheel and locking one or each of the inside wheels if wanted, G-Steering significantly reduces the G580’s turning radius. The course has a bunch of corners that will be far too tight for a G to get round usually with out making a three-point flip, however with G-Steering energetic I’m capable of drive round them with ease. It really works at as much as 15 mph, and the perform will keep on for a very long time in the event you don’t flip it off.
It’s a little bit of a bizarre sensation, form of like drifting however with out the rear finish being really kicked out. The motion is extraordinarily linear; the quantity that I believe I want to show the steering wheel to get across the nook is the precise correct quantity, I don’t have to make any little corrections or changes partway by. Mercedes additionally has us do a slalom course by the mud, with the cones positioned so shut collectively that mainly no automotive might do it, not to mention a G-wagen. However with G-Steering turned on, the G580 simply rotates round every cone. Mixed with the G-Class’ comparatively small footprint, the G-Steering will open up much more path prospects that earlier fashions couldn’t navigate. I solely scratch the floor of the G580’s capabilities, so I can’t wait to take one on some lengthy off-roading journeys in California.
Mercedes hasn’t introduced pricing for the U.S. market but, but when it’s something just like the German pricing, the G580 EV is likely to be the most effective deal within the G-Class lineup. With the necessary 19-percent VAT tax included, the G580 begins at just below €143,000, the equal of about $154,000. That’s solely €11,000 (about $12,000) greater than the brand new G500 (bought because the G550 in America). Within the U.S. the present V8 G550 begins at $144,150 together with vacation spot, and the refreshed inline-6 mannequin is likely to be nearer to $150,000. If the electrical G-wagen is available in at round $170,000 — fifteen grand lower than the G63 — I believe that’ll be a hell of a deal.
When the G580 hits U.S. seller tons within the second half of this yr, it’ll solely are available Version One type. Mainly the launch version, this mannequin is restricted to only 5 colours and can come totally loaded, with particular badges, blue accents on the outside trim strips and inside carbon fiber, and another distinctive styling bits. Count on Version Ones to price at the least $200,000, earlier than you add any markups (and there might be markups). If you wish to spec your electrical G-wagen your self — and you need to — the 2026 mannequin will most likely grow to be out there in early spring. By means of Mercedes’ Manufaktur program, G-Class clients have over a million attainable coloration and trim choice mixtures, with greater than 20,000 paint colours to select from and the power to create bespoke specs.
Mercedes doesn’t have any particular gross sales targets for the EV, and there are not any plans for an growth of the Graz manufacturing facility, although the corporate admits it could be attainable sooner or later. No, the G-wagen will keep a purposefully restricted commodity, though Mercedes is making greater than ever. In 2023 greater than 10,000 G’s have been bought within the U.S. alone, nearly beating the S-Class, and right here the G63 vastly outsells the G550 — I’ve heard the gross sales break up at the moment sits at round 80 % for the AMG. G-Class manufacturing is versatile, so Mercedes is ready for any degree of EV demand and might regulate output accordingly.
In a roundtable on the launch, Michael Schiebe, AMG CEO and head of the G-Class division, mentioned he thinks the EV might grow to be the most well-liked G-wagen mannequin by the top of the last decade, particularly in nations like China, and he expects the EV will each herald new clients and conquests to the model and maintain main attraction to present G-wagen homeowners. The G-Class has the second-wealthiest homeowners within the Mercedes model, second solely to Maybach, and its common buyer is getting youthful and extra accepting of electrification. As for the potential of an electrical AMG variant, Schiebe wouldn’t discuss any official plans, however the glint in his eye and the smile on his face mainly confirmed it’ll occur finally.
The G-wagen appeared like it could be one of many final autos to convincingly go electrical, and some of the troublesome buyer bases to transform, however the G580 with EQ Know-how proves it’s really the perfect candidate. The electrical G-Class is simply as lovable as its gas-powered siblings, with its personal distinctive character and unmatched off-road efficiency. I believe it’s a house run, a smash hit, a tour de pressure, no matter different flip of phrase you possibly can consider. I badly need one, no, I want one, and that’s precisely how a G-wagen ought to make you are feeling.
