Mercedes G-Class Electric: The Future Is Here And It Makes Financial Sense
The electric G-Class looks nearly identical as its petrol-powered counterpart, shares the same interior and is just as capable
The concept we once knew as the EQG has now arrived in its production form as the Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology. That’s quite a mouthful, so let’s simply refer to it as the electric G-Class. The legendary G-Class has always catered to those who favour boldness over subtlety, so the question remains: will this quieter iteration meet the mark?
Have the Looks Changed?
The G-Class retains its signature design, with only subtle updates. To the untrained eye, it might look almost identical, but the press car’s electric blue colour certainly signals a new direction. Key changes include a slightly raised bonnet line, redesigned bumpers, more flared rear wheel arches with added air vents, 20-inch wheels with blue brake callipers, and blue-accented trim. The biggest change is the battery pack beneath the car. To accommodate it, the ladder frame has been modified, and you’ll notice a thick carbon composite casing beneath. This casing has been thoroughly tested, ensuring that off-road adventures can still be tackled as easily as with the traditional combustion engine variant.
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Remarkably, despite that battery under the floorboard, the electric G-Class can wade through water 150mm deeper than its ICE counterpart, and with that massive 850mm water wading depth that it now has you don’t have to worry about those rainy days or water crossings.
On the Inside
The cabin's design closely mirrors its petrol-powered counterpart. However, the traditional diff-lock buttons are replaced with new off-road and G-turn buttons. The dual 12.3-inch screens now feature the latest MBUX system, with physical buttons for climate control. The interior retains its spacious luxury feel, offering features like massaging seats, ambient lighting, an 18-speaker Burmester audio system, the Energizing Plus package, and augmented reality navigation. Additionally, you get the usual tech perks, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera with a transparent bonnet view, and a sliding sunroof. Plus, the boot remains a generous 620L—quite spacious for an EV, given the common trend of compromised luggage space in electric cars.
How Does It Drive?
The electric G-Class is equipped with four motors delivering a combined 587hp and an impressive 1164Nm of torque. Press the pedal, and the car’s instant electric torque catapults this 3-ton beast to 100 km/h in just under 5 seconds. A variety of drive modes adjust the vehicle’s performance, with Comfort mode prioritizing efficiency, while Sport mode delivers a more aggressive response (though it drains the battery quicker). There are also off-road modes for when the terrain gets rough.
The "G Roar" feature, designed to mimic the sound of a traditional engine, is somewhat muted and doesn’t quite capture the drama of a V8 engine. Still, the electric G-Class is just as capable off-road as its fuel-powered sibling. It utilizes virtual differentials instead of mechanical ones, allowing each motor to distribute torque where it's needed most.
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Additionally, the electric G-Class introduces features like Intelligent Off-road Crawl, which activates once you engage low range. You can set the car to crawl at one of three speeds, allowing the vehicle to navigate steep climbs and rough terrain without you needing to modulate the throttle or brakes. It simplifies off-road driving, and simply tapping the brakes overrides the system.
Another highlight is the G-Steering system, which makes manoeuvring this large SUV surprisingly easy. It locks the inside rear wheel to pivot around, improving the turning radius. However, the real party trick is the G-Turn—an 8-step process that lets you spin the car 180 degrees on the spot. While this feature looks impressive, its practical applications are limited, making it more of a fun gimmick than a game-changer.
As for ride quality, it’s not as smooth as some luxury SUVs, but then again, comfort isn’t the G-Class’s primary focus. The cabin is high up, and while the adaptive dampers soften the ride, you still feel plenty of firmness and roll. That said, it is more composed than the ICE version. On the highway, the G-Class feels stable, with excellent grip, though it’s not a vehicle to tackle corners in aggressively, should you decide to plenty of electronic safety systems ensure it handles well.
The claimed range for the electric G-Class is 473 km, but in real-world conditions, you can expect around 350 km. With a fast charger, you can go from 10% to 80% in just 32 minutes. While a regular 11kWh charger will take around 12.5 hours to fully charge the battery.
Verdict
At ₹3 crore, the G580 is significantly cheaper than its petrol-powered counterpart, with a price difference of about ₹65 lakh. This price gap makes the electric version a more attractive option especially since the electric G-Class looks nearly identical, shares the same interior, offers the same space, and is just as capable. While you may miss the emotion of the V8 engine, the electric G-Class represents the future and makes more financial sense. The only downside is that you'll have to wait until the third quarter of this year to get one, as they’re already sold out until then.