Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2025 Review

Under the wave of electrification, the luxury rugged SUV market is undergoing a new round of iteration—consumers not only want iconic rugged design and off-road capabilities but also expect the quiet smoothness and tech features of electric vehicles. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G580 (hereinafter referred to as the G580), as the first fully electric model in the family, directly competes with traditional luxury fuel SUVs and emerging electric off-road vehicles. Its core selling point lies in being the "zero-emission soul of the G-Class": retaining the classic boxy design and full-time four-wheel drive while delivering performance with a combined 590PS horsepower and 1164N·m peak torque, achieving 0-100 km/h acceleration in 4.7 seconds and an official range of 473km. This test drive will focus on verifying whether it can balance the "rugged attributes" with the "electric experience," providing potential buyers with a realistic reference.

The exterior of the G580 almost completely retains the signature boxy silhouette of the gasoline-powered G-Class. The combination of the four-round LED headlights and the horizontal grille trim maintains the family identity, with the only difference being the grille, which has been changed to a closed design. The dotted texture on the surface, paired with the centrally lit three-pointed star emblem, makes it easily distinguishable from the gasoline version at night. On the side, the trapezoidal wheel arches, straight waistline, and exposed door hinges are all preserved, paired with 20-inch alloy wheels and 275/50 R20 tires, ensuring an uncompromising rugged style. At the rear, the externally mounted spare tire cover (which also serves as the charging port cover) and vertically arranged LED taillights are also familiar elements for G-Class fans. The overall design meets the requirements of electrification without losing its classic touchpoints.

Inside, the G580 continues to emphasize luxury and practicality. The dashboard is wrapped in a large area of soft leather, combined with metal trims and piano lacquer panels, providing a refined tactile feel and texture as expected. The 12.3-inch floating central control screen and fully digital instrument cluster combine into a dual-screen system equipped with the latest MBUX intelligent connectivity, supporting voice control and smartphone integration, with operations meeting the standards of a luxury brand in terms of smoothness. The front seats feature electric adjustment, with thick leather padding and strong support, ensuring comfort even during long periods of seating. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split, providing two fists and one-and-a-half fists of head and legroom, respectively, for passengers standing 175cm tall, sufficient for daily family use. The trunk has a capacity of 667 liters, which can be further expanded by folding down the rear seats, making it no problem to accommodate baby strollers or camping gear. In terms of configurations, features like the Burmester sound system, panoramic sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, and 360-degree panoramic cameras come as standard across all models, meeting the needs of most usage scenarios.

In terms of performance, the G580 is equipped with front and rear permanent magnet synchronous motors with a combined output of 434kW (590PS) and a peak torque of 1164N·m, achieving an official 0-100km/h acceleration in just 4.7 seconds. In actual driving, when switched to Sport mode, pressing the accelerator pedal deeply results in an intense push-back sensation, and the mid-to-high-speed acceleration remains robust, requiring no excess planning for overtaking. In Economy mode, power delivery becomes smoother, making it more suitable for daily commuting; in Off-road mode, torque distribution is optimized, and together with a minimum ground clearance of 250mm and a full-time four-wheel-drive system, it effectively prevents wheel slippage when encountering mild off-road conditions (such as muddy or gravel roads), ensuring reliable off-road capability.

The combination of front double-wishbone independent suspension and rear De Dion suspension in the chassis allows it to filter out most minor bumps when driving on paved roads. When going over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, the body experiences minimal shaking, maintaining decent comfort. The steering feel is relatively stable with a weighty touch, and the steering precision ranks above average among off-road SUVs. When cornering, body roll is well-controlled without noticeable swaying. In terms of noise control, wind and tire noises are suppressed to a low level at high speeds, and only a slight electric motor whirring sound can be heard during rapid acceleration. Overall, the vehicle's quietness matches its luxury SUV positioning. Regarding range performance, our test on a mixed route (50% city + 50% highway) showed an actual range of about 420 km, achieving approximately 90% of its claimed range. The 116kWh battery supports fast charging and can be charged to 80% in 0.5 hours, making energy replenishment reasonably efficient for long-distance trips.

As the first all-electric model in the family, the G580's biggest strength lies in its "balance of tradition and innovation"—it retains the iconic G-Class design and off-road capabilities while achieving stronger performance and lower operating costs through electrification. Compared to other electric off-road SUVs in its class, its starting price of 95.888 million Malaysian Ringgit may not be low, but the premium associated with the Mercedes-Benz brand and the added value of its classic design still hold appeal for its target customers. Furthermore, with standard features such as Level 2 driver assistance and Burmester audio system offered across all variants, it offers more practicality than some competitors.

Overall, the G580 is suitable for two types of people: first, loyal G-Class fans who want to experience electrification while still maintaining the classic design; and second, those who value luxury quality and off-road capabilities while also needing a vehicle for daily commuting. It is not an electric car that pursues extreme range or cost-effectiveness, but rather an "electrified upgrade maintaining the essence of the G-Class." If you're looking for a luxury SUV that can showcase your status in the city while occasionally heading outdoors for adventures, the G580 is a choice worth considering.