2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ First Drive Review: The E-Wagen Is a Better G-Wagen
Anybody who’s ever owned, driven, or ridden in a G knows The Sound—the inimitable thunk of the doors closing like miniature bank vaults. It’s the chorus of the G-Wagen’s three-part portal symphony, landing between the hammer-cock click of the door unlatching and the bolt-action slam of the locks engaging. The sense of quality instilled by The Sound alone has likely been responsible for millions of dollars worth of sales throughout the Geländewagen’s 45-year history.
But there’s never been a G quite like the new G580—or, to use its formal name, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 With EQ Technology. Because for the first time, the G-Wagen is available without a fossil fuel-burning powerplant under its squared-off hood.
“The idea was, the G stays the G,” says Bernd Bodner, head of engineering for this car’s electrical system. One glance at the G580 With EQ Technology—that’s the last time I’m writing that out—makes it clear the design team understood. The hood has been slightly raised and the wheel arches outfitted with pass-throughs for improved aerodynamics, but the only change anyone will notice is the front fascia, which trades the combustion version’s grille for a flat piece of bodywork with four thin louvers. It’s body-colored as standard, but an EQ-exclusive box on the options list lets buyers paint it and the headlight surrounds black for a slightly raccoon-ish look.
Much like Kīlauea, the drama lies well below the surface. “The G is very special, because of its ladder frame,” G-Class chief engineer Fabian Schossau says, as we stand before a life-size replica of exactly that. It’s the vehicle's literal backbone, a steel foundation that provides immense strength for off-roading and sets it apart from other Mercedes SUVs. Ditching it simply wasn’t an option.
