The biggest mercedes g-class news right now is the electric G 580 with EQ Technology—a fully electric version of the G-Wagen that arrived at dealerships in 2025. It’s the most significant development the G-Class has seen since the 2019 chassis overhaul. Alongside the electric version, the 2025 model year also brought a thoroughly updated interior with Mercedes’ latest MBUX system.
For G-Class fans, 2025-2026 is a complicated period. The car is more capable, more technologically advanced, and more refined than ever. It’s also more expensive, more electrified, and – some purists would argue – drifting slightly from the utilitarian character that made the G-Wagen legendary in the first place. Both things can be true.
Latest G-Class News – At a Glance
| Update | Detail | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| G 580 EQ Electric Launch | Fully electric G-Class with 116 kWh battery, ~434 hp per axle | Late 2024 / 2025 deliveries |
| MBUX Interior Refresh | New 12.3″ displays, updated dashboard, ambient lighting | 2025 model year |
| AMG G 63 Power Upgrade | Up to 585 hp from updated 4.0L V8 biturbo | 2025 model year |
| G 500 Powertrain Update | New 3.0L inline-6 mild hybrid replacing V8 in base model | 2025 model year |
| Diesel Phaseout | G 350d discontinued in EU markets; global phase underway | 2025 onward |
| G-Class Maybach Edition | Ultra-luxury version with extended wheelbase, bespoke interior | Confirmed for 2026 |
The Electric G-Class: G 580 with EQ Technology
Mercedes made a bold move building an electric G-Class – and even bolder in how they did it. Rather than compromise the boxy silhouette, they kept the iconic shape virtually intact and engineered an electric drivetrain around it. The result is a vehicle that looks exactly like a G-Wagen but drives nothing like any G-Wagen before it.
| Spec | G 580 EQ (Electric) |
|---|---|
| Battery | 116 kWh (usable) |
| Range (WLTP) | ~473 km / ~294 miles |
| Combined Power | 432 kW / 579 hp |
| Combined Torque | 1,164 Nm (858 lb-ft) |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 4.7 seconds |
| Charging (DC fast) | Up to 200 kW (10-80% in ~30 min) |
| G-Turn Feature | Can spin in place – each wheel independently controlled |
| Starting Price (US) | ~$162,000 |
The G-Turn feature deserves a special mention. Because each wheel has its own electric motor, Mercedes programmed the G 580 to rotate in place – like a tank – by spinning the left and right wheels in opposite directions. It serves no practical purpose but demonstrates the degree of control four independent motors provide. Off-road capability, according to early reviews, is exceptional.
Interior & Technology Updates (2025 Refresh)
The G-Class interior was always a weak point – functional and rugged, but behind competitors in comfort and technology. The 2025 refresh addresses this directly. The new MBUX system brings dual 12.3-inch displays, a redesigned centre console, and the same ambient lighting system used in the S-Class. Ventilated and massaging front seats are now available. The overall cabin feel has moved meaningfully upmarket without losing the G’s signature switch-gear and round vents.
Physical switches remain – deliberately. Mercedes research showed G-Class buyers strongly prefer tactile controls, particularly for off-road modes. The terrain selector, differential locks, and low-range transfer case all use physical controls. This feels right.
2026 G-Class Full Lineup
| Model | Engine | Power | Est. Price (US) | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G 500 | 3.0L I6 Mild Hybrid | 443 hp | ~$143,000 | New mild-hybrid powertrain, base model |
| G 580 EQ | Quad Electric Motors | 579 hp | ~$162,000 | Electric, G-Turn, 294-mile range |
| AMG G 63 | 4.0L V8 Biturbo | 585 hp | ~$175,000 | Performance flagship, iconic exhaust note |
| AMG G 63 Edition 55 | 4.0L V8 Biturbo | 585 hp | ~$210,000+ | Anniversary limited edition, collectors item |
| G-Class Maybach (2026) | TBC | TBC | ~$250,000+ | Ultra-luxury, extended wheelbase |
What Purists Are Saying
The G-Class owner community is split – as it tends to be whenever an icon evolves. The concerns among longtime G-Wagen enthusiasts fall into a few categories:
- Weight: The G 580 EQ weighs approximately 3,085 kg (6,800 lb) – significantly heavier than the combustion version, raising questions about long-distance off-road recovery situations.
- Character: The G-Class has always had a distinctive mechanical feel – the clunk of differential locks engaging, the drone of the V8. Electric motors don’t replicate this.
- Complexity: More electronics mean more potential failure points, particularly concerning for buyers who use their G-Classes as genuine expedition vehicles.
The counterargument is practical: the electric G’s torque delivery is instant, its off-road control is more precise than any mechanical system, and for 90% of buyers – who never take their G off pavement – the EQ version is simply a better vehicle.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
If you want the combustion AMG G 63 – buy now or soon. The V8-powered G 63 will eventually be phased out as emissions regulations tighten globally, and its window of availability is narrowing. Waiting risks either reduced availability or a significantly higher price as supply tightens.
If the electric G interests you – wait for the first full model year of production (2025) to be reviewed by long-term owners. Early deliveries of high-complexity vehicles often reveal software and quality issues that get resolved in subsequent builds. A late 2025 or 2026-build G 580 EQ will likely be a more polished vehicle than the first cars off the line.
The G-Maybach for 2026 is worth watching if ultra-luxury is your priority – but price it out carefully. At $250,000+, it competes with a fully configured Bentley Bentayga or a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, both of which offer different but compelling arguments.
