2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class EV

Starting with the name, this new all-electric G-Class doesn’t begin with the same Mercedes-EQ moniker found with other electric vehicles from this famed German manufacturer. It’s a Mercedes-Benz and a G-Class, not a model series unto itself.

One thing that differentiates it from its gasoline-powered counterparts is the number. This is the only G 580 in the 2025 G-Class lineup. And it’s the only electric G-Class (so far — don’t be surprised if there’s an electric AMG version down the road).

It’s also different in a number of other significant ways, many of which are clever innovations that make this electric vehicle (EV) just as capable off-road as any other G-Class, sometimes even more so.

The gasoline-powered 2025 G-Class is reviewed separately.

What’s New for 2025

The 2025 G 580 with EQ Technology takes the regular G-Class and adapts it for electric propulsion. It’s made in the same Austrian factory as the other G-Class models, in much the same hand-made way.

On-Sale Date

The first electric G-Class is scheduled to go on sale in the fall of 2024.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology has a starting sticker price of $162,650.

Although the G-Class is something of an alpha wolf among luxury SUVs, there are alternatives. The Rivian R1S starts at about $75K; a Quad Motor version would be more than $90K. The GMC Hummer SUV begins close to $100K. The gasoline-powered G 550 is priced from $149,400.

Before buying a new Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. The G-Class has a history of retaining its value better than many competitors. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one

The all-electric 2025 G 580 with EQ Technology has a massive 579 horsepower and 859 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes-Benz says it can sprint from standstill to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds, almost half a second faster than the lighter G 550 gasoline-drinker and not far off the performance-tuned G 63 AMG. This is made possible by four electric motors, one for each wheel. The G 580 is the first Mercedes-Benz production vehicle where each individual wheel has its own propulsion.

The gasoline G-Class variants have front, center and rear differentials, but the G 580 gets the same job done through virtual locking differentials using fully variable torque vectoring. It means that the electric G should be equally capable over any terrain.

An adaptive suspension is standard, bringing a variety of benefits both on the road and away from it. Driving modes go from Sport to Rock. Electric power doesn’t mean any compromises in the exceptional off-road prowess of the G-Class. The G 580 can climb 45-degree inclines and wade through 33.5 inches of water (almost six inches more than the G 550 and G 63 AMG). Each electric motor has a two-stage transmission, effectively bringing a low-range gearing to the G 580. That’s when an intelligent off-road crawl function comes in, allowing the driver to concentrate solely on steering.

The cabin of any G-Class offers plentiful headroom throughout, plus enough space for adults in the rear seats. Large glass areas create excellent outward vision. Materials are of high quality and they’re all assembled in an exemplary fashion — as they should be for a Mercedes-Benz luxury SUV.

The dashboard contains a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and an equally large infotainment touchscreen. A superb Burmester surround-sound system is standard and Active Multicontour massaging front seats are part of the Edition One package.

In a gasoline G-Class, there are controls for the differentials set into the center console — they’re considered part of the overall G-Class vibe. The G 580 retains them, but since there are no mechanical differentials, these switches are repurposed for things like the G Turn and G Steering functions.

Going electric has not affected rear legroom (39.5 inches). Cargo space is a little different. The combustion G-Class has 38.1 cubic feet, opening out to 68.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Mercedes-Benz says the new G 580 has 19.6/70.3 cubic feet. We took a look at this area. Lay a large suitcase on top of another and they will come up to the top of the back seats, leaving room to one side for a few smaller items. The G-Class has many strengths, but this isn’t one of them. This electric G also has a slightly higher lift-over height. Like other Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles, there’s no storage space under the hood.

The typical G-Class boxiness is retained with this electric SUV. We aren’t being critical — we admire the G-Class for making practicality a priority. Specific to this electric G are the flared rear wheel arches with aerodynamic treatments. Whereas a regular G-Class would fix its spare wheel to the side-opening tailgate, a rectangular container on the G 580 can hold a charging cable and some tools or snow chains. Peer underneath and this G 580 has a battery protection plate made of carbon fiber composite. A steel version would have been way too heavy.

Like the rest of the 2025 lineup, this model comes with cladding on the A-pillars, as well as an aerodynamic lip on the roof’s leading edge to help reduce wind noise (a common complaint when driving the G-Class at freeway speeds). Mercedes-Benz offers the usual broad (yet pricey) scope for personalization with its Manufaktur program. An LED frame around the grille is another option. Size-wise, the G-Class is approximately 16 feet long, similar to the regular Range Rover, or about four inches shorter than a BMW X5.

Ladder frame
Admittedly, this might sound like the least interesting bit of a new luxury electric SUV, but we think that what Mercedes-Benz has done is really ingenious. It has used this traditional part of rugged SUV construction to house the battery (also in a twist-resistant casing) and mount the four electric motors.

G Turn
Because each wheel has its own motor and transmission, the new electric G-Class can perform this wild trick of turning around on the spot on loose or unpaved surfaces.

G Steering
Like G Turn, this function is available when the Low Range gearing is activated. It reduces the turning circle of the electric G-Class significantly, which can help in tight off-road conditions and other tricky situations.

Offroad Cockpit
This is a setting in the digital instrument cluster, allowing drivers to access information crucial in off-road situations, such as steering angle and tire pressures.

Transparent Hood
The 360-degree camera system in the new electric G-Class incorporates this feature, allowing drivers to see what’s under the hood and check the topography that’s no longer visible through the windshield.

Navigation with Electric Intelligence
This can plan a route taking into account where and how long to charge (if necessary), plus many other factors such as topography, weather, real-time traffic conditions, heating or cooling demands, and even the driving style.

Mercedes-Benz claims the electric G-Class should run for a maximum of 294 miles before needing a serious recharge. One thing we’ve found regarding the company’s estimates for its electric vehicles is that they’re pretty spot-on in real-life situations. For comparison, a Rivian R1S Quad Motor is rated at 321 miles. The GMC Hummer EV SUV’s maximum is 314 miles.

Mercedes-Benz says the new electric G-wagon can replenish its battery from 10% to 80% in 32 minutes when using a DC fast charger. That’s about typical at the moment.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Mercedes-Benz has new-vehicle and powertrain warranties of four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. These terms are typical in the luxury sector. The battery is covered for 10 years or 155,000 miles, which is better than usual.

Safety Ratings

The G-Class hasn’t been crash-tested by any agencies in the United States, but it did earn a maximum overall score of five stars from the European safety test program, Euro NCAP. Standard safety features include active steering assistance, active blind-spot assistance, and active parking assistance.