2025 Mercedes G 580 With EQ Expertise Assessment

Identified formally because the G 580 with EQ Expertise, the brand new G stuffs a battery pack and 4 electrical motors into the inner combustion model’s present chassis reasonably than ranging from scratch. The electrical G-Wagen additionally receives slight stylistic revisions, principally within the identify of aero.

However even when electrification represents the logical subsequent step for a traditionally established army car that transitioned right into a luxurious commuter over the previous decade-plus, the brand new G offered an actual take a look at for Mercedes R&D. The suspension required the largest change, particularly for the strong rear axle. Two electrical motors merely couldn’t match within the dwell axle, so Mercedes adopted a hilariously outdated de Dion tube setup as an alternative.

The ensuing car comes with a sky-high price ticket, minimal vary, and sudden character. But, over per week of testing in Los Angeles and the close by deserts, I shortly found that this new G is undoubtedly one of the best but.

Briefly: Electrical energy fits the G-Wagen surprisingly properly, for higher and for worse. Don’t count on maxed-out electrical vary, avant-garde tech, and even improved ergonomics. As an alternative, the G 580 in EV kind will get the job achieved, on the town and off highway, higher than any G that got here beforehand.

2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 With EQ Expertise Assessment

Metropolis Life within the G-EQ

My first impressions whereas driving the electrical G-Wagen round West L.A. left me pretty disillusioned. The upright driving posture, cramped inside, piano black plastic, and a trackpad just like a 2015 Lexus all missed the mark.

Plus, on a primary drive to the grocery retailer, I began to note an odd suspension and steering shudder. At decrease speeds, simply cruising, the de Dion rear suspension appears to battle with the practically 7,000-pound curb weight.

The scenario acquired me fascinated with Mercedes-Benz’s decision-making whereas creating the brand new G. A lot in order that after I acquired house, earlier than placing the groceries within the fridge, I pulled out a tire stress gauge to ensure I didn’t have a flat. The tires seemed good, however the de Dion tube solely continued to construct because the theme of the whole G-EQ expertise.

De Dion Rear Suspension

Briefly, as a result of the electrical G has a motor for every wheel, the fuel G’s strong rear axle merely wanted alternative. However Mercedes wished to retain the articulation and confidence of a solid-rear-axle car with the de Dion tube, which fairly actually bridges the hole between independent-suspension wheel hubs. I’m fairly positive the most recent automobile I’d pushed with a de Dion tube beforehand was a 1986 Alfa Romeo GTV6.

However a GTV6 weighed lower than 3,000 kilos within the Nineteen Eighties, and the electrical G-Wagen suggestions the scales at greater than double that quantity. Throw in a set of 20-inch AMG wheels shod in range-friendly Falken tires, and the setup clearly will get overwhelmed. Even adjustable dampers can solely accomplish that a lot, because the inflexible connection causes highway imperfections to reverberate by way of the cockpit.

At the very least whereas accelerating, braking, or cornering on asphalt, the G’s weight shifts sufficient onto one tire or one other to cease the feeling. And I shortly discovered that pushing arduous reveals the place the electrical G-Wagen shines. On a day after I was working late for a gathering, I completely ripped by way of visitors at a tempo no fuel G may probably match.

Electrified Efficiency

The 579-horsepower score may not sound too spectacular for a 7,000-pound car with me inside. However the 859 pound-feet of torque got here on instantaneously with the smallest nudge of my proper foot.

Mercedes claims a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds, however I’d swear this truck can do higher. In contrast, the G 63 with a beefy twin-turbo V8 would possibly make good noises, however borders on obnoxiously loud. And in most conditions, the lazy torque supply at low revs virtually lugs the engine.

Off-Roading With out a Spare Tire

After all, I wanted to check the G 580 with EQ Expertise off highway, too. However after I pulled as much as Rowher Flats to run my ordinary route, I checked the wheels first. The precise wheel design doesn’t match a compressor nozzle, so I made a decision to not air down.

That bummed me out a bit, particularly due to the nifty optimistic and destructive terminals simply accessible within the frunk. But additionally, I nervous about traction within the dust, in addition to the prospect of getting a flat tire and not using a spare.

As an alternative of the spare tire, the little “Design Field” on the G’s barn-door tailgate homes a charging cable. Nice for metropolis life, positive, however not out right here!

I beforehand drove a Hummer EV SUV on the identical path, additionally and not using a spare. At the very least the G weighs greater than a ton much less, so I introduced a Yankum rope simply in case. However behind my thoughts, I puzzled what rig may probably yank a 7,000-pound EV out of a sketchy scenario.

Off-Highway Prowess

After which, out of left discipline, the electrical G-Wagen delivered the only most spectacular off-roading efficiency I’ve ever skilled — with out exaggeration or hyperbole.

I had simply pushed a Ranger Raptor up the identical hill a couple of week beforehand, and an Ineos Grenadier the week earlier than that. However at a selected impediment the place the Raptor wanted each entrance and rear diffs locked, all 4 BFG K03 tires aired down, and each final ounce of my talent and braveness, this electrical SUV with a faux strong rear axle and totally inflated metropolis tires simply inched up the hill with out sliding greater than the width of my hand.

Utilizing the “Off-Highway Cockpit” display screen, I stored an anxious eye on my tire pressures the entire time. I additionally switched into the “Low Vary” mode, which Mercedes claims makes use of bodily gear reductions for the electrical motors.

Within the seat of my pants, low vary felt extra just like lowered throttle response. However the de Dion tube did the trick and the discrete management of quad-motor traction blew my thoughts. I stored making an attempt to pose the truck with a wheel off the bottom for pics, and the articulation merely prevented me from doing so!

All on-street tires totally aired up is an important element. With a set of legit all-terrains, I imagine the G would possibly do even higher. After all, we’re not speaking about dune charging or spraying roostertails or leaping this heavy EV.

As an alternative, we’re speaking in regards to the pure functionality of getting by way of when the going will get powerful. This explains why Benz believed the de Dion suspension was the proper resolution to the issue created by sticking with the ladder body and unique physique.

G-Flip Enjoyable

Lastly, I goofed off with the “G-Flip” and “G-Steering” modes, distinctive options that permit the electrical G spin in place or drag a rear tire to tighten up the turning radius. Spinning like a prime, grinning like a toddler, I felt foolish sufficient. However then I spotted this could be the silliest approach to blow a tire, so I pulled again out onto a canyon highway and determined to tear up the tires whereas headed house.

Quickly sufficient, with the suspension in Sport mode, the Falkens began screaming. The steering firmed up, too, and its “throttle” response elevated, as properly. I pushed far tougher than an enormous, boxy, 7,000-pound body-on-frame EV has any proper to go.

Possibly mounting the batteries within the chassis helps maintain the middle of gravity decrease. Possibly EV torque vectoring helps on asphalt, too. Both method, the cornering, with simply hints of AWD countersteer required, once more simply eclipsed any earlier G.

No Automobile Is Excellent

However it doesn’t matter what the Mercedes and G-Wagen fanboys will scream, the electrical G nonetheless has shortcomings.

For an off-roader, the electrical wires and plugs that management the adaptive shock dampers positive experience fairly low.

The cramped inside nonetheless lacks area — a bummer since electrical powertrains sometimes enable for such improved packaging.

The rear seat screens will doubtless make anybody over the age of three years previous claustrophobic.

And, the G-Wagen lastly will get an infotainment touchscreen, so why is there nonetheless a trackpad taking over area on the middle console? As an alternative, Mercedes may have gone with extra cupholders or extra bodily switchgear for the four-wheel-drive controls.

Why not begin from scratch and construct an EV with a skateboard battery structure and extra inside quantity that merely appears like a G-Wagen? Plus, with the aero of a brick, the G solely manages a spread estimate of 239 miles. That’s lots for commuting in Agoura, however barely half of the real-world vary I skilled in a Silverado EV.

Nonetheless, the onboard vary estimate proved fairly correct as I powered by way of the battery with regen stored on the max settings by way of the steering wheel paddle shifters. However, the DC fast-charging price of 200 kW leaves one thing on the desk, too.

And don’t get me began on the dearth of a frunk.

2025 G 580 With EQ Tech Assessment: Conclusions

The G 580 with EQ Expertise might need a ridiculously lengthy identify, however I can confidently name it one of the best G-Wagen ever. The inside ergonomics nonetheless suck, the dearth of a spare tire is unnecessary, and pricing as examined over $192,000 checks the bounds of sanity. However for metropolis commuting or off-roading alike, this G merely will get the job achieved. I wonder if most drivers will even discover the distinctive professionals and cons of the de Dion suspension.

I can also’t wait to strive an electrical G-Wagen with actual knobby tires, and even simply smaller wheels. However, for 2025, Mercedes will solely promote the First Version spec with minimal choices aside from coloration schemes. So anyone who desires to customise such a extremely anticipated car might want to wait till mannequin 12 months 2026 G-Wagens begin delivery.