G-whizz. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology
by Metropol | October 1, 2025 9:07 am
Whether roughing it in the most inhospitable climates or ferrying the Kardashians through Beverly Hills, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is a legend. Metropol writer Ben Selby puts the G580 to the test.
With the launch of each new generation, we have seen the same square-jawed profile of the Gelandewagen, or G-Wagen for short, injected with the latest in Mercedes-Benz tech. We weren’t quite prepared for the first purely electric ‘G’ you see here.
Around town, the G580 affords the G-Class tradition of grabbing everyone’s attention. Even after the first five minutes of silently motoring through Christchurch’s CBD, all doubts about the G-Wagen’s street cred are quickly dashed. The driving position is still upright but the level of quality and refinement in the G580 is immensely good, as is the level of interior space. You have to be forceful when shutting the doors though, but it does have an old school analogue vibe which I liked. Inside it’s the tech fest you would come to expect from a G-Class with toys like the latest MBUX interface system, a ‘transparent bonnet’ giving the driver a virtual view via cameras at the front, a thumping great 3D Burmester sound system, massaging heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats, heated and cooled cupholders and ‘Off Road Cockpit.’ The latter gives all relevant off-road data including hill gradient, tyre pressure and compass direction, and cameras all around to keep you on the path.
New all-terrain goodies include a new torque vectoring system that generates virtual diff-locks, resulting in max torque sent to wherever it is needed most to keep things straight and true on any terrain or 35-degree angle. However, its party piece is something called the G-Turn. This mode allows the G580 to turn in circles on its own axis, essentially spinning around 360-degrees on the spot, allowing you to get out of tight spots if need be. That said, it’s still a fun gimmick as I sat there spinning around in circles in fits of laughter. There is also G-Steer, which allows certain wheels to turn at different speeds for some ‘tail-out’ off-roading oversteer too. Even in battery form, the G-Wagen is still a mighty muncher of muddy trails and hillsides.
A hefty 116kWh battery pack and quad electric motors gives 432kW and a stratospheric 1164Nm of torque. This means despite a snip over three tonne kerb weight, the G580 is still capable of some serious off-the-line punch. Mercedes-Benz also claim electric range of 562km and a DC fast charging time of 30 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent charge.
In typical G-Class fashion, the G580 is not cheap, and the absence of a V8 soundtrack will more than likely deter some. Those still wanting their share of G-Class pomp and ceremony without the fuel bills could very well see this all-electric G-Wagen as the best of both worlds. No V8 rumble sure, but still a big laugh.
FACT FILE:
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology
Price: $231,400
Powertrain: 116kWh battery pack
Electric Motors: Four
Total Power: 432kW
Torque: 1164Nm
0 – 100kph: 4.7 seconds
Combined Energy Consumption: 23.1kWh/100km
Electric Range: 567km (NEDC)
Charge Time AC/DC: 0 to 100% in 13.5 hours/10 to 80 per cent in 32 minutes
Kerb Weight: 3085kg
Boot Space: 620L
Source URL: https://metropol.co.nz/g-whizz/