14 - 68
443 - 579
2 speed, Automatic, 9 speed, Automatic w/OD
Electric, Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric I-6, Twin Turbo Gas/Electric V-8
All Wheel Drive
The G-Class runs counter to Mercedes-Benz’s positioning as the ultimate in luxury with its hard-edged exterior and off-road capabilities. Yet, it remains one of the most iconic models from the German automaker. The first generation survived for almost four decades without a redesign until a second-generation doppelganger finally appeared in 2019. The second chapter represented a massive leap forward regarding drivability, comfort, and technology.
For 2025, the G-Class evolves into the next logical iteration. The G 580 with EQ Technology is a new all-electric variant with some notable advantages and a few drawbacks that align with its gas-powered siblings.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
The SUV has seen a handful of changes in the few years since JD Power last reviewed the G-Class. In 2023, Mercedes introduced the G 63 4x4 Squared. The 2025 model year brought a turbocharged V6 to replace the base V8, an updated infotainment system, a new suspension for the AMG G 63, and the debut of the G 580 with EQ Technology.
Mercedes offers the 2025 G-Class in three main trim levels primarily distinguished by their powertrains. The entry-level G 550 receives a turbocharged, mild-hybrid V6 engine, while the AMG G 63 steps up to a twin-turbo V8 and several performance-related chassis upgrades. The G 580E sports four independent electric motors and is similarly equipped to the G 550.
JD Power previously published a review of the 2022 Mercedes-AMG G 63. This review focuses on the G-Class updates for 2025 and how they potentially impact its overall consumer appeal.
For this 2025 G-Class review, Mercedes-Benz provided a G 580 with EQ Technology and the following options:
The Edition One package is the most significant and expensive option (though technically, it's a requirement for 2025). The $18,250 premium adds unique AMG styling elements, 20-inch wheels, a sport steering wheel, Nappa leather seat upholstery, and multi-contour seats with massage and ventilation functions.
The test vehicle's price was an eye-watering $192,690, including the $1,150 destination charge to ship the SUV from the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Graz, Austria, to your local dealership.
To put it mildly, it's shocking how quickly the new electric G-Class accelerates. With 579 horsepower and 859 pound-feet of torque, Mercedes claims it will reach 60 mph in 4.6 seconds—almost half a second slower than the AMG variant. However, the immediate application of torque, accompanied by the nearly 7,000-pound block rearing up like a rodeo horse, makes it feel quicker. You must get used to relative silence, though synthetic sounds are available if desired.
The vehicle's considerable battery weight in the floor also lowers the center of gravity, making it feel more settled and less top-heavy when cornering. In many ways, it drives more like a conventional SUV than the non-electric G-Class models, but I was not encouraged to drive it with any sporting intent.
You feel the mass shift when you take a sharp turn or get on the brakes harder than usual, impressing a good amount of respect from behind the wheel. The EQ model doesn't allow for traditional one-pedal driving, which enables you to bring the vehicle to a stop by releasing pressure on the accelerator instead of depressing the brake pedal. Instead, the EQ has several brake regeneration levels, so you can select the amount of deceleration. The most aggressive setting comes within a few mph of stopping the SUV altogether. I found a workaround to simulate one-pedal driving by activating the adaptive cruise control, and the results were very similar.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates you can drive 239 miles on a full charge, which is low for an electric vehicle (EV), especially for one that costs almost $200,000. In my experience, Mercedes-Benz does have a habit of exceeding those estimates by a sizable margin.
Still, considering the gas-powered G 550 has an estimated range of 475 miles, it may complicate longer road trips. For the typical commute and weekly duties, however, the EQ's range should be more than enough, and in my time with the vehicle, exceeding the range estimate seemed easy to accomplish.
When you need to charge, the Electric G-Class is capable of DC fast-charge rates up to 200 kW. If you're lucky enough to find a charger operating at that level, it should replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 32 minutes. That charge time is comparable to the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, and the Rivian R1S, though it's important to note that they all deliver more range for the same amount of charge time.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
Most owners will likely never take their G-Class off-roading, and that's a shame because it's impressively capable in those settings. Substantial underbody skid plates protect the batteries, while short overhangs and a tall ride height reduce the likelihood of body damage.
The EQ also has a long list of tech features to make all-terrain adventures less stressful. Numerous camera views eliminate almost all the guesswork when navigating narrow passages or treacherous obstacles, including a view of what's underneath the vehicle. For off-road enthusiasts, it doesn't need locking differentials since its four electric motors can simulate those traction benefits, but there is low-range gearing for more challenging climbs.
The real crowd-pleaser is the G-Turn, exclusive to the EQ G-Class. In this mode, the right and left wheels spin in opposite directions, pirouetting the big SUV in its place. Rivian attempted something similar with its Tank Turn but never released it publicly. However, you should only use this feature on level and loose or slick surfaces.
One rarely mentioned aspect of electric off-roading is how silence affects the experience. Roll down the windows and you'll hear pine needles crunching under the tires, giving you a hiking experience without exerting yourself or gasping for air at high altitudes. This can also give you a better idea of which wheels struggle with traction in more demanding situations.
The 2025 G-Class gains a further advantage over the previous year with a different infotainment system that draws from past versions of Mercedes' praiseworthy MBUX system. It substitutes a rectangular trace pad instead of the last-generation COMAND controller on the center console, allowing you to operate on-screen features with minimal distraction easily. Unlike other trace pads from Acura and Lexus, this one is good, thanks to its swipe gestures instead of an overly sensitive cursor.
The G-Class enhances the MBUX system with several off-road features outside the aforementioned cameras and G-Turn. You get the typical menus found in most serious off-roaders that display wheel articulation and lean angles, though, in the real world, that information isn't that helpful. I'm more likely to use the breadcrumb navigation feature that lays down a virtual path in the wilderness so you can easily find your way back.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is an anomaly among luxury SUVs. On the one hand, it's impressively capable off-road and makes few sacrifices. The ride isn't as smooth as an EQS SUV, it's not as maneuverable in tight parking spots, and it's not as efficient as more city-bound vehicles. I managed to extract 50 kilowatt hours (kWh) per 100 miles in my drives throughout Los Angeles, beating the EPA estimate of 54 kWh. However, those are still dreadful compared to the more favorable 40-kWh results possible in more conventional EVs.
Then there's the price, which flirts with the $200,000 mark. Pragmatically, you're paying a lot more for less range, less comfort, and less convenience. Mercedes' move to market a military vehicle to the luxury crowd turned out to be a masterstroke, and the way it drives is often less important than the impression of wealth it advertises to strangers.
If conspicuous consumption is your thing, you'd likely be more comfortable in electric alternatives such as the Mercedes EQS SUV (and Maybach enhancement) or the BMW iX. If you plan some off-roading, the Rivian R1S and forthcoming electric Range Rover are also worth considering.
My ego gets it, though, and I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that I enjoy the G-Class. It's an impeccably executed vehicle for a class of shoppers who will probably never explore its full potential. However, the few that do will gain a new appreciation for this iconic SUV.
Mark Takahashi has been in automotive publishing for over two decades, contributing detailed written and video reviews for Edmunds, Car and Driver, Autoblog, CarGurus, and Capital One. His portfolio includes everything from affordable economy hatchbacks to otherworldly exotic sports cars and everything in between.
