Battery size: 117 kWh
WLTP range: 291 miles
Rapid charging: 210kW
Mercedes-Benz has now changed the EQG name to the (rather less catchy) 'G580 with EQ Technology', ahead of the cars going into full production. Electrifying.com has had access to a prototype while Merc's engineers make the final tweaks before the unashamedly brash electric G-Class (also commonly known as the G-Wagon) hits showrooms.
Range, battery and charging
One bit of information that Mercedes has now officially revealed is the consumption figures. It’s quoting WLTP efficiency of 2.1 - 2.3 miles/kWh, which isn’t brilliant, but when you consider the G’s size, weight, ability and its brick-like aerodynamics it’s also not surprising. There’s no official information on the battery size, either, but we’re anticipating it using the 118kWh battery of the recently renewed EQS. We're also expecting the G580 with EQ Technology to charge at the same rate as its electric saloon relation, so expect DC 200kW rapid charging that'll deliver a 10-80% top-up in around 20 minutes.
With those figures in mind, the range for the G580 with EQ Technology should be in the region of 235-260 miles depending, of course, on conditions. We’ve experienced it on rigorous off-roading in Southern France, as well as the brutal cold of Sweden’s winter, and in both instances the prototype vehicles seemed to manage their energy very well, Mercedes-Benz engineers are particularly excited about how efficient it is off-road due to the huge amounts of brake regeneration that's possible in this kind of environment.
Practicality and boot space
The G-Class is huge, and there’s a massive boot, though access is slightly hampered by the side-hinged door, so you'll need masses of room at the back of the car to fully swing open the boot 'door'. Passenger room is good, too, with tons of headroom and legroom. It’s the kind of go-anywhere, carry-everything tool that has more capability than most people will need, but then it's that sheer ability that makes the electric G-Wagon so appealing and, well... cool.
Oddment stowage isn’t fabulous, but there are cup holders that can heat- or cool your drinks!! That blows my mind, how good that feature is.
Oh, and you can tow 3,500kg with a braked trailer, which makes this one of the best electric tow cars you can buy.
Interior, design and technology
I love the driving position in the G580. You sit really high up, the visibility is great... It's very cool. I even like the big grab handles on the dash, which hint at the off-road capability. Everything is boxy, and rugged-yet-luxury in just the right way.
The electric G-Class gets the latest version of Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience), which adds more touchscreen capability and all the connectivity you desire, and the G580 obviously has its own sub menus for energy management/flows/charging and more.
Motors, performance and handling
With its four motor set-up the G580 with EQ Technology has sort of off-road prowess that G-Class buyers expect. Tank turns? You got it. Can it tow 3,500kg? Absolutely. It's an absolute weapon, this thing - and you'll be pretty unstoppable in off-road stuff. Most owners won't every really test the off-road abilities, though! And there, the 587hp output and 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds makes it feel suitably raucous. Although, it's got some good manners, the electric G-Class.
The suspension is a bit wobbly as it's just so high-set and is, of course, designed to cope with off-road stuff. So yes, you feel the suspension lean and wallow a bit. And the steering isn't the most precise. But I actually love it, anyway! In fact, the slightly old-school attitude is one of the big appeals for me. It's a G-Wagon! I don't want it to feel like a Range Rover, I want it to feel like a G-Wagon - electric or not. I want the slightly rugged feel, and it delivers that. Yet it's also refined enough and comfortable enough to be really easy to live with on the commute, the school run, the long journey up your gravel driveway... All of that. It does it all. It's not objectively the best to drive. But it's just brilliant.
Running costs and pricing
The G-Class is expensive... It costs from around £154,000 in the UK. Ouch. Mind you, that is spot on for what you'll pay for the new electric Range Rover - but then the Range Rover does go a bit further to a charge. I suspect that nobody buying an electric Merc G-Class is bothered about the finer running costs, but you should expect this to be pricey to buy, run and insure. Because it's a huge, powerful, luxury SUV. By the time you've added fancy paint, screens in the back, maybe some bespoke family crests embossed in the headrests... Yeah, you don't care about the cost, do you?
Verdict
Like I said, the electric Mercedes G-Class is not objectively the best. With newer rivals like the BMW iX5, Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover EV bringing longer range and faster charging, but the G-Wagon is just a very different proposition, isn't it? We can't honestly recommend it if you care about value, real-world range and running costs. But if you just want something that's unbelievably cool, and that really grabs attention and makes every journey an event? Then the Merc G-Wagon is for you.
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