2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology Review and Test Drive

Mercedes' iconic SUV has gone electric, but kept its imposing looks and impressive off-road ability.

Mark Takahashi | 

Apr 16, 2025 | 7 min read

Mark Takahashi

Before it became a status symbol, the Mercedes G-Class was a military vehicle, so it has an unusual history. Despite evolving over the last few decades, its lineage is still clear to see — but with the introduction of the electric 2025 G580 with EQ Technology, this famously rugged SUV takes on a greener demeanor.

The 2025 G-Class comes in three models: G550, AMG G63, and G580 with EQ Technology. They're all expensive, ranging from around $150,000 to nearly $190,000, including the destination charge to ship the SUV from its Graz, Austria, factory to your local dealership. Because of its origin and price, it's ineligible for any federal electric-vehicle tax credits.

For this G-Class review, I drove the new electric G580 with EQ Technology in Los Angeles, one of its natural habitats. My test vehicle also featured the Edition One package, which adds $18,250 to the $161,500 base manufacturer's suggested retail price. With the optional Arabian Grey paint, rear entertainment system, running boards, and black-panel grille, the total came to $192,690, including the $1,150 destination charge. Mercedes-Benz provided the vehicle for this G-Class review.

Mark Takahashi

Is the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology a Good Electric SUV?

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class delivers legitimate all-terrain chops in a package more associated with Rodeo Drive than four-wheel drive. That robust capability also involves some compromises regarding comfort and refinement, but thanks to its electric powertrain, the G580 with EQ Technology adds a fresh twist to the formula. Spoiler alert: It remains a legitimately capable off-roader.

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The Cabin of the G-Class Is Classy and Practical

Mercedes developed the original G-Class (at the time called the Geländewagen) for military use, and it definitely looked the part. To this day, the SUV's simple, boxy styling is fundamentally the same despite its significant aerodynamic disadvantages.

Inside, the G-Class is much more modern, with the mix of technology and quality materials that luxury SUV buyers expect. Nevertheless, the upright positioning of several interior elements, flat glass windows, and a sturdy grab bar in front of the passenger add to the SUV's tank-like feel. In my opinion, the thick nappa leather surfaces don't feel as supple and cosseting as they do in other range-topping Mercedes models, suggesting the goal was less luxury and more durability.

Dual-screen digital instrumentation and infotainment displays dominate the dash, and the thoughtfully placed controls feel intuitive. Unfortunately, that doesn't apply to the capacitive-touch buttons on the steering wheel, which I found are prone to inadvertent activation and frustrated me while making adjustments. All the other controls are traditional, and it's easy to operate many features without taking your eyes off the road.

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The front seats force you into an upright position, which feels appropriate for the G-Class, even if I think it can cause fatigue on longer road trips. Outward visibility is excellent, as the SUV's boxy shape and strategically placed marker lights tell you precisely where the corners are. The rear seats are flatter, less supportive, and just as upright.

Behind those seats, the G-Class accommodates up to 34.8 cubic-feet of cargo, and the space is tall but not particularly deep. Folding the seats requires effort to flip the cushions up and the seatbacks forward. The left-side-hinged rear tailgate makes curbside loading easier, but I found it takes considerable force to shut it — or any of the doors.

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Smart G-Class Tech for On-Road or Off-Road Adventures

The Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system is, in my opinion, one of the best on the market. The G-Class pairs two landscape-oriented 12.3-inch displays under a single piece of glass, the left one for digital instrumentation and the right one a touchscreen controlling most other functions.

There are multiple ways to operate MBUX. In addition to a trackpad controller in the center console, the system boasts the dashboard touchscreen, a secondary thumb pad on the steering wheel, and excellent voice controls. You simply say, "Hey Mercedes," followed by your request, and a few seconds later, the system responds.

Wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a Burmester audio system are also standard. Except for the charger, which was too small to hold my Max-sized iPhone, the MBUX tech worked flawlessly.

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Aside from MBUX, the G-Class has a comprehensive list of safety features and advanced driver-assistance systems. During my evaluation, I experienced no false alarms or glitches, and found the adaptive cruise control especially helpful since this EV lacks one-pedal driving capability.

What really impressed me were the off-road enhancements. Numerous cameras eliminate guesswork when navigating challenging terrain, including one view that shows what's underneath the vehicle. But the real scene-stealer is the G-Turn function that spins the left and right wheels in opposite directions to pirouette the SUV in place. This is a cool bit of tech that could come in handy when maneuvering in tight spots off-road.

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The Electric G-Class Could Be Greener

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology has a 122-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery that feeds four electric motors, generating a combined output of 579 horsepower and 859 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers make it the mightiest model in the G-Class lineup. By comparison, the AMG G63's twin-turbocharged V8 is good for 577 horsepower and 627 lb-ft.

Despite its nearly 7,000-pound mass, the all-electric G accelerates with alarming immediacy. Still, it is slower to 60 mph than the AMG variant. Mercedes claims the EV arrives there in 4.6 seconds, versus 4.2 for the twin-turbo V8. The process is silent except for the road noise and, if activated, synthetic engine sounds. Drivers can also choose between several levels of regenerative braking.

The latest G-Class models are remarkably composed on the road, particularly regarding steering and handling. Whether cruising on the highway or threading your way up a winding mountain pass, this SUV leans more toward luxury and less toward militarism. However, compared with luxury SUVs engineered for on-road thrills, the G-Class EV feels softer and more lumbering to me, and I found the tall ride height discouraged sporty driving.

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You'll also feel more bumps and residual rebound, a byproduct of the suspension's off-roading intent. Wind noise is surprisingly absent, and the quiet operation of the G-Class is especially notable when off-roading. You'll mostly hear the crunching of the terrain beneath you, as if you were hiking.

While the G580 with EQ Technology represents a leap forward in propulsion technology, its green credentials are questionable. The EPA rates it at 54 kWh per 100 miles, which isn't great even for a large, luxurious electric SUV. In comparison, a Rivian R1S Tri-Motor with 22-inch wheels is more efficient. During my test, I beat the EPA estimate, but at a still-inefficient 50 kWh/100 mi.

The EPA says the electric G-Class will travel 239 miles on a full charge, which isn't particularly impressive. In my travels, it seems easy to exceed that figure, but that's a small consolation given the range that competitors such as the Rivian R1S offer.

When it's time to recharge, the G580 EQ is compatible with 200-kW DC fast chargers, which should get you from 10% to 80% in about 32 minutes. That's comparable to the Mercedes-Benz EQS580 SUV, but that model offers substantially more range. The same is true about the BMW iX M60, but it needs to sit on a 200-KW charger a little longer, at 35 minutes.

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The 2025 Mercedes G-Class remains an excellent rig. But if it's only leaving the road to enter a Whole Foods parking lot, a more conventional alternative, such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, might serve you better.

Though the G-Class isn't necessarily a pragmatic choice, I completely understand the attraction. Ultimately, I had to reconcile the electric G's shortcomings with the measurable boost my ego received, leading me to admit that if I had the money, this guilty pleasure would undoubtedly tempt me.

Mark Takahashi

Mark has been in the automotive space for more than two decades and has reviewed thousands of vehicles for outlets that include Edmunds, Car and Driver, Autoblog, CarGurus, Capital One, and J.D. Power. He has a background in advertising, design, and fabrication, as well as open-wheel and motorcycle racing. Mark's video reviews can be seen on YouTube, and he has been featured as an automotive expert on regional and national news broadcasts. He is a North American Car of the Year juror and a third-generation Los Angeles native, where he keeps his classic 1957 Thunderbird and two motorcycles.