Mercedes-Benz electric G-Wagen review: king of the off-road
As exciting as seeing how electric technology redefines car transport, it is just as exciting to see how it changes what we already have. On the secondary market, restaurants converted into EVs quickly become a large company. But directly from manufacturers, there is great potential in electrifying inherited badges by perfectly mixing the old design with new technologies.
The case is the Mercedes-Benz G580 2025 with EQ technology, better known as the Geländewagen EV (which is German for an all-terrain vehicle), or G-Wagen. From $ 162,650, the G580 remains faithful to its original design formula, but also uses EV technology to strengthen its off -road prowess and its global appeal as a daily luxury SUV.
If it was not a question of exchanging its transporter transporter for a smaller storage box which contains a load cable, you may have trouble distinguishing the G580 from its brothers and sisters G550 and AMG G 63 with gas and AMG G 63. Rest assured, things are very different below. Instead of the power and the transmission of the internal combustion engine, each wheel has its own AC synchronous with permanent magnet and two-speed transmission, by performing a combined power of 579 horsepower and 859 pounds of torque.
The G580 remains faithful to its original design formula.
The offer of these units is a 116 kWh battery, located in the middle of the chassis and protected by a thick sheet of composite carbon material. It is also waterproof and allows the G580 to drive through a water depth of 33.5 inches – almost six more than the 550 and 63. The integrated load is evaluated at 9.6 kW, and the DC fast load amounts to 200 kW, which allows it to load from 10 to 80% in less than 32 minutes.
The range is evaluated at 238 miles, which may seem low, but it is understandable for something as heavy, large and sporting a very little aerodynamic shape. I saw up to 200 miles in mixed driving which was mainly on motorways.
What people tend to forget or simply do not know is that the G-Wagen has always been extremely capable off-road. The new G580 does not move away from this formula, but it goes further by mixing its motorcycle EV group with a conventional all-terrain chassis design. The result is a harmonious mixture of old and new technologies.
Adaptive shock absorbers and conventional coil springs are seated with fixed driving and are attached to its bodywork chassis on frame via a double interruption configuration at the front, a solid rear axle at the front. This allows up to 9.8 inches of ground clearance, plus a 32 -degree approach, a departure of 30.7 degrees and terminal angles of 20.3 degrees.
My test bench was the Rowher Flats off -road vehicle area in California. At the start, I had reserves on the tires on rue Summer Falken, but they were quickly dissipated: this thing was impressive in the way it took a good variety of ascents and descent, and at certain threatening angles. A great advantage of EV motorcycle groups is that control of the traction is extremely precise due to less components working to maximize adhesion. The powerful G barely slipped a tire through fine and rough gravel, small and large rocks, and all other forms of terra firma in this part of the country.
The G-Wagen has always been extremely capable off the road.
I started its low range, which synthesizes a set at low conventional speed by allowing a reduction of gears on each engine for a more instant torque, but I do not think it is necessary. A particular path regularly had up to 44 degrees in height, from top to bottom, but Boxy Benz was simply there. Then, when I tried to maximize the rear axle articulation on complicated characteristics and shifted on a special descent section, in the service of a catchy photograph, I ended up with a boring scene of all the tires touching the ground with confidence.
Finally, I had to try one of the most intriguing party tips in the G580: G turns. It is a frame that allows it to run 180 degrees in place, and it is just as entertaining driving as to look. There is a use case, such as when you have to change direction and there is no room for a multipoint turn – however, the general area around it must be perfectly flat. He is definitely narrow in his application, but who cares? It’s fun like hell.
Once I returned to paved civilization, the G-Wagen assumed its more common identity as a comfortable cruise SUV with great global visibility. Despite the bottom of the scale at 6,746 pounds, this thing boogs in a straight line and will reach 60 mph in less than five seconds. Having such a joie de vivre in a narrow and stilted package may seem alarming at first, but it has in fact demonstrated a solid athletics on the winding roads.
I never wanted an EV to depreciate faster
Unless someone is at their appearance or negative connotations that badge is often wearing, there is not much not to like about the Mercedes-Benz G580 2025. It is massively fun off road, comfortable in town, faster and has a dominant view on the road which makes it excellent runabout in the city. Its range is not the best, but I would not say that it is a major problem, unless you are made in a dedicated land platform.
Despite its high price, Mercedes offered something quite special in the G580.
Photograph by Peter Nelson / The Verge
