Mercedes-Benz G-Class EQ Technology Review 2025

Despite being one of the most capable off-road cars most versions of the Mercedes G-Class you’ll spot in Britain are gussied-up, power-rich, emissions-high AMG versions that only venture away from asphalt when mounting kerbs during parking manoeuvres in exclusive postcode areas. This could be about to change with the introduction of the electric Mercedes G-Class EQ Technology.

That an electric G-Class now exists isn’t a surprise, but how long it’s taken to go on sale is. The company confirmed it was in the pipeline when this generation of its flagship SUV went on sale in 2018, even previewing what was to come with the Mercedes EQG concept in 2021.

If you’re thinking EQG sounds far less of a mouthful than Mercedes G580 with EQ Technology we’re inclined to agree with you, but there’s been a change of heart about how its electric models will be badged in future. Expect the replacement for the Mercedes EQS to be the S-Class EQ Technology, and so on.

Visually the electric Mercedes G-Class looks as stout and purposeful as its petrol- and diesel-powered siblings, yet battery power has given it some additional tricks to amplify its off-road credentials. Don’t forget that the G of G-Class is short for Geländewagen — that’s German for ‘cross-country car’ — making this the most capable electric SUV off-road.

Designed purely for use when off-roading on unpaved or loose surfaces such as gravel is G Steering which allows the electric G-Class to perform almost 90-degree turns by pivoting around the rear wheel. When turning right, the right rear wheel has its brake applied to lock it while the other wheels receive the required power to change the car’s direction.

This is exaggerated further with G Turn which allows the G580 EQ Technology to perform two full spins almost on the spot. Here the wheels on one side of the car drive forwards while those on the opposite side go into reverse. Clever stuff, but a quick way to eat through expensive tyres.

What allows the electric Mercedes G-Class to perform those feats are its four electric motors, each positioned close to the wheels. Working in unison they produce 587PS and an almighty 1164Nm of torque. While its top speed is sensibly governed at 112mph to preserve battery life the 580 EQ Technology will dart from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds — that’s only 0.3 seconds shy of the Mercedes-AMG G63’s time.

Depending on the finished specification of the car with options the G580 EQ has a WLTP Combined cycle driving range of 280-283 miles thanks to its enormous 116kWh battery. Such a large capacity’s required because the electric G-Class weighs 3.25 tonnes.

Using a domestic wallbox with an 11kW flow rate a total recharge requires 11 hours 46 minutes, while a 10-80% replenishment using an ultra-rapid DC charger at 200kW takes 32 minutes.

Now that the £180,860 introductory Mercedes G580 with EQ Technology Edition One has sold out, the ‘regular’ AMG Line Premium Plus at £154,810 appears to be far more reasonable.

How do those telephone number prices compare with rivals? Well, right now, the truth is that there aren’t any. Yet. What will be the closest alternative will go on sale later in 2025 — that’s the fully electric, full-sized Range Rover. It will be similarly capable off-road with an even more luxurious interior.

If you’ve no intention of venturing across rugged terrain then there’s a little more choice. Even the most costly BMW iX M60 looks good value in this company at £124,605 while the seven-seater Volvo EX90 starts at £96,255.

As a demonstration of how far this brand has come, don’t ignore the Kia EV9. It looks almost as tough as the G580 EQ yet you can buy two of the entry-level models and have £25,000 in your pocket for the price of the Mercedes.

Keep this page bookmarked to read our comprehensive electric Mercedes G-Class EQ Technology review in the weeks ahead.