Test Drive: 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580
After a weekend driving the hair-raisingly impressive “electric G-Wagen” around the Hamptons, it’s officially our new favorite in the G-Class
Positioned squarely at the intersection of heritage and innovation sits the Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology or as most people refer to it “the electric G-Wagen.” We’re longtime fans of the G-Class and also innately curious about advancements in the electric vehicle market, so naturally we were eager to get behind the wheel of the G 580.
When the time finally came the setting was not some far flung destination featuring environments tailored to highlight the legendary off-road capability of the G-Class. Instead we spent a long weekend running around The Hamptons, where we not only saw many a G-Wagen on the road, but quite a few G 580s specifically. After driving one around the narrow backroads of East Hampton and cruising the lanes of Sagaponack, we think there are few vehicles better suited for daily driving not only on the north end of Long Island, but just about anywhere. To put a finer point on it, the electric G-Wagen is now the one to have of the 3 available models.
Though something of a paradox at first glance, a boxy SUV with humble utilitarian roots propelled entirely by electricity, the G 580 makes a great deal of sense. While comically entertaining, the twin-turbo V8 powered Mercedes-AMG G 63 has never made sense and now that the G 550 has gone from a V8 to a turbocharged inline-6 cylinder with mild-hybrid system, it lacks the character needed to distinguish it from the G 580. With four independent electric motors, one at each wheel, delivering a combined output that’s hair raising, the G 580 has character to spare.
This quad-motor configuration also enables torque vectoring of unprecedented granularity, allowing each wheel to receive precisely calibrated power in real-time. The result is the most technically capable G-Class in the model’s storied history. Power is placed exactly where it’s needed with the instant response that only electric propulsion can provide. If it suits your use case, you have the means and access to charging infrastructure, the G 580 is not only the first choice in the luxury EV marketplace, but an all-time great daily driver as well.
With the weight of the internal combustion engine removed from the nose, perceptible on-road dynamics benefit greatly from the electric transformation. The battery pack is mounted low, dropping the center of gravity to counter the G-Class’s inherent height and noticeably improve all-around stability. Instant torque delivery that typically feels violent in sport sedans is translated into effortless merging and confident passing in the G 580. That this is all done in silence takes some getting used to when you’re conditioned to expect the burble of the G 63’s side-exit exhaust.
And yet the more time we spent in the G 580, the more we came to realize how appropriate the electric powertrain is. The boxy silhouette that has defined the nameplate since 1979 attracts enough attention on its own, no rumble needed. If we were to use one word to describe the G-Wagen it would be “confident” and we imagine many of the owners would think of themselves as such. Instead of broadcasting bravado, the G 580 moves in silence, provided you’re wise enough to turn off the “G-Roar” signature sound, of course.
In keeping with the more understated attitude, exterior design changes are minimal, consisting of a revised front fascia that integrates a new “grille” specific to the G 580 and some EQ Technology badges on the fenders. There’s also a cargo box on the rear-door that houses the charging cables, but since the traditional cover over a spare tire is an option, that’s not really a reliable way to spot an electric model.
Should you want to stand out in the G-Wagen crowd beyond going electric, Mercedes-Benz has expanded personalization possibilities far beyond the successful G 580 EDITION ONE. Three exterior Night Packages sharpen the electric G-Class with sporty design elements like tinted indicator lights and black aerodynamically optimized wheels, while the new MANUFAKTUR Dark Chrome Package delivers an even more expressive exterior presence. These options include exclusive MANUFAKTUR hues like the nonmetallic Dark Blue of our test vehicle. Numerous interior upholsteries and trim elements are also available, providing the range of customization possibilities that a G-Class customer would expect.
Again, restraint reigns supreme as the interior of the G 580 remains unchanged from the other models. The commanding seating position offers one of the best views on the market, providing both a sense of authority and safety. The familiar 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster now encompasses enhanced off-road information and camera views that mostly serve to remind drivers what the G-Wagen is capable of. We say “mostly” because while the capability is always on tap, your average G-Wagen driver is primarily going to do what we did, using it to run errands, go out to dinner and cruise around looking at beautiful properties while enjoying music on the absurdly good Burmester audio system. Did we give the smile-inducing G-Turn a try just for good measure? You bet we did. The G 63 is still faster in a straight line than the G 580, but it can’t spin itself around on its axis in either direction by counter-rotating the motors on opposite wheels. We can’t imagine many day-to-day situations where this comes in handy, but it’s nice to know it’s there should the situation arise.
Ultimately that’s what the G 580 (or any G-Wagen really) is selling, the ability to conquer nearly all possibilities one might encounter on or off-road. By electrifying their most iconic model, Mercedes-Benz has reminded us of their engineering prowess while proving that heritage and innovation need not exist in opposition. As they grow the G-Class family, we imagine they’ll apply this winning EV formula to the “baby G-Wagen” that was recently spotted in camouflage as well as other future models. The few drawbacks that do come with the G 580, like its 239-mile range, nearly 7,000-pound curb weight and reduced cargo space, will surely be addressed as EV battery technology improves. With what is currently available, the G 580 is a masterclass in how to take an existing internal combustion product and make it electric. As technology advances, the current G 580 will still remain relevant because, after all, it’s a G-Wagen first and an EV second.
What are your thoughts?