2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 First Drive: G Goes EV

Boxy and militaristic

Transcript

00:00 [music]

00:12 Here are three things that haven't changed in design.

00:15 Lego bricks, Bic pens, and the Mercedes G-Wagon.

00:18 Boxy and militaristic, the refreshed 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class looks like a G-Class

00:23 and drives like a G-Class, with one exception.

00:26 The 2025 G-Wagon's big takeaway is there are now three powertrains to choose from.

00:31 A 3-liter turbocharged inline-six, a 4-liter twin-turbo V8, both with mild hybrid power,

00:37 and an all-electric version.

00:39 The first-ever electric G580 with EQ technology uses a 116-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery.

00:46 Like certain Rivians, it has a motor for each wheel for all-wheel drive.

00:50 Range is expected to be 240 miles.

00:53 Combined, the G580 produces 579 horsepower and 859 pound-feet of torque.

01:00 Zero to 60 happens in an estimated 4.6 seconds.

01:04 Keep in mind, all of this is coming from a box that weighs 6,600 pounds.

01:09 Just note that top speed is limited to 112 miles an hour.

01:13 Inside, it's still the same layout as the outgoing G-Wagon.

01:17 However, we'll note here that the small exterior aerodynamic tweaks that Mercedes did,

01:21 along with additional sound deadening, makes this the quietest G-Wagon cabin ever.

01:26 You can actually have a conversation with fellow passengers at highway speeds.

01:30 Plus, the all-electric powertrain brings a new level of unmatched quietness.

01:35 Off-road, the G580 is the one you want out there.

01:39 Much like Ford's Trail Turn Assist, G-Steering breaks the inside rear tire

01:43 and drives the outside wheels so the G580 can turn way more sharply on the trail.

01:48 A first for EVs, the G580 features a mechanical 2-to-1 gear reduction low range,

01:53 just like a traditional transfer case.

01:55 You can shift into and out of low seamlessly and instantaneously,

01:59 though you still need to be in neutral to do this.

02:01 As for G-Turn, just take a look for yourself.

02:05 It's wild, it's disorienting, it's completely pointless, but it's so cool.

02:09 Do us a favor.

02:11 If you buy an electric G-Wagon, please, please hit the trails a few times a year.

02:15 Use this thing the way it was intended.

02:18 Mercedes did not announce pricing at this time,

02:20 but it's not like the G-Wagon's gonna get cheaper.

02:23 You can expect things to start at over $140,000.

02:26 [MUSIC]