Mercedes-Benz G 580e 2024 Review – International

When the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology (to give its full unwieldy name) arrives in Australia late this year, it’s expected to be priced around the same mark as its V8-powered G 63 sibling, roughly $360,000 plus on-road costs.

That’s no small change, but the sky-high pricing could be for the premium-spec G 580e Edition One – and once that batch of cars has been snapped up, a lower-series version should be introduced that sits below the G 63. We expect it’ll still have a hefty price tag.

As far as rivals go, there are currently no battery-electric off-roaders on the market to challenge the G 580e, although the Range Rover Electric could attract similar buyers to the G-Class EV when it’s launched later this year.

It’s too early to detail local specification for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e, but the features list could mirror what’s happened in the UK.

If so, expect very few options to be available with the Edition One, which rides on 20-inch 10-spoke light-alloy wheels and will be readily identified as an EV with its blue carbon-fibre trim elements and blue brake callipers.

Other exterior details include a smooth black grille, black bumper inserts, side running boards, a sliding sunroof and stainless-steel kick plates and rear boot sill protection.

Inside, the Edition One will feature a powerful Burmester 3D surround sound system, heated/cooled cup holders, wireless phone charging, cabin air filtration tech, heat-insulating glass, faux suede headlining and Nappa leather trim for the dash, three-spoke steering wheel and seats.

The G 580e will be backed by Mercedes-Benz’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty, while the high-voltage battery will be guaranteed for a minimum of eight years/160,000km.

There’s no word on capped-price servicing plans for the new G 580e, nor the exact servicing schedule, although you can expect an annual check-up to be required every 15,000-20,000km.

It’s not yet clear whether the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e will qualify for the same five-star ANCAP rating awarded to the pre-facelifted G-Class back in 2019.

Back then, the G-Class was awarded 90 per cent for adult protection, 85 per cent for child protection, 78 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 73 per cent for its driver assist aids.

The latest facelift for the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which includes the G 580e, brings adaptive Multibeam LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, active speed limit assist, active steering assist, blind spot assist and exit warning.

There’s also a free 360-degree camera and a transparent bonnet that assists in off-road terrain.

As found on the G 63, the new 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e gets a high level of cabin tech including a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that combines with an equally big infotainment touch-screen.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is provided, while the MBUX operating system now includes navigation that boasts augmented reality – although the usefulness of the latter is negated somewhat by the inability for Benz engineers to incorporate a head-up display within the G-wagen’s narrow dash.

At least the driver’s display can be configured for a full-width navigation screen.

The infotainment system in the latest G-Class is also among the first Mercedes-Benz models to get inbuilt AI (artificial intelligence) that’s designed to learn your daily habits behind the wheel.

One day it might even be capable of ensuring you never miss a mate’s birthday and chat to you about life’s big questions. Or the footy.

In the EV world, the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e is a work of art that misses out on being considered a masterpiece by a few major omissions by the German brand.

The headline news is the all-electric G is the first Benz to harness the power of its next-generation axial-flux pancake-shaped motors that are claimed to be up to four times more powerful than a traditional motor while measuring at less than half the size.

Packaged with a transmission casing, there’s a single e-motor per wheel, each punching out 108kW and 290Nm and channelling all their might through a two-speed gearbox that features low-range for off-roading.

Combined, the total output is 432kW and 1164Nm of torque, which is plenty enough to shrug off the imposing 3085kg kerb weight and for the SUV to launch from 0-100km/h in just 4.7 seconds. Top speed is 180km/h.

Just one battery will be offered with the G 580e, a large 116kWh lithium-ion pack.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e has a high consumption rating that is said to range from 27.7-30.4kWh/100km and offer a potential cruising range of up to 473km on the European WLTP test cycle.

Unlike the very fastest-charging EVs available, the all-electric G-Class only comes with a 400-volt electrical architecture, which means the battery can only be topped up at a rate of 200kW.

Mercedes-Benz claims it takes 32 minutes to recharge the battery from 10-80 per cent using a fast DC charger, while a full charge using its 11kW onboard AC charger takes around 12 hours.

Like the very best EVs out there, the new 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e delivers effortless performance almost everywhere, with smooth and punchy power delivery off the line and, really, wherever you want to access it, such as fast overtakes on country roads.

Instead of building a bespoke platform, Mercedes engineers managed to squeeze the big battery into the existing G-Class’ ladder frame. Saving some weight, the battery’s case is part of the structure but that doesn’t stop the big Benz tipping the scales at a clinically obese 3085kg.

As a result, heavy towing is out of the question and the payload is limited to around 415kg, with some versions we drove lacking the rear tailgate-mounted spare to save weight.

Sadly, even at that weight the electric G 580e misses out on the AMG G 63’s semi-active suspension and, without its ability to cancel out body roll, the battery-powered Benz isn’t as good to drive on winding roads as the V8.

It also doesn’t ride as well as its petrol-powered sibling, partly because the suspension springs are around 20 per cent stiffer – a modification needed on account of the EV’s extra weight.

Shame, because even with the fake G-Roar soundtrack, the extra smoothness and refinement would be welcome in the city where, let’s face it, most G-wagens seem to spend the majority of their time.

Despite being outclassed on the road by the G 63, find a challenging piece of terrain and the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e claws back what seems an unlikely advantage.

It’s fair to say that thanks to its quad-motor powertrain and the advanced tech that comes with it, it’s never been easier to go further off the beaten track without fear of getting stuck – which is an astonishing achievement considering the sheer mass involved.

We’ve all seen the G-turn tank-turn feature that was originally designed to save owners doing a three-point turn on a narrow track – and it does indeed work, and will no doubt make many early adopters famous on TikTok.

The G-Steering system is also impressive, using torque vectoring and a braked inside wheel to replicate the ‘umbrella around a lamp post’ pivot turn.

Ditto for how the virtual all-wheel drive system can mimic the combustion-powered G-wagen’s three locking differentials, while delivering torque vectoring and levels of traction on another level to the G 63.

The best feature, though, is the new intelligent Offroad Crawl function that has been created to be a cruise control for owners who find themselves in the trickiest conditions.

All the driver need do is point the big G along the easiest path they can find while the vehicle does the rest, balancing the brake and acceleration, maintaining a speed between 2-14km/h uphill or down. Top speed in low-range is limited to 85km/h.

New tech includes a transparent camera view through the bonnet that mimics tech Land Rover developed years ago.

It’s also important to note that the battery cover is made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, and although it weighs 57kg it can apparently stand the weight of up to 14 G-Class EVs on the surface area of a coke bottle. It’s so tough, Benz engineers say they have yet to break one and happily use it to slide over rocks with impunity.

As you would hope, the entire battery pack is submersible and the electric G can wade up to 850mm, almost as much as a height-adjustable air-sprung Range Rover (900mm). Engineers have gone deeper, but you run the risk of water entering the air-conditioner, which isn’t a good outcome.

The G 580e offers ground clearance of 250mm and its approach, departure and breakover angles are 32.0, 30.7 and 20.3 degrees respectively.

One final point for those worried about range: Mercedes says the G 580e is capable of climbing its fearsome Schöckl mountain test track in Graz, Austria, 14 times before running out of charge. That, whispered one engineer, is equivalent to 1.5 days of serious off-roading before it needed to recharge.

If you’re wondering how long the V8-powered G 63 lasts along the same tortuous test, the answer is half a day, at best.

We love how within the 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e there’s little to indicate you’re driving the battery-electric version.

It has the same railway carriage clunk as you slam its doors, the central locking’s ‘clonk’ still makes you jump on every drive and, overall, the G-Class’s cabin is a charming place to spend time – with a superb fit and finish worthy of the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Like before, the G-wagen perches all occupants high in its light and airy cabin, with huge grab handles provided.

Avoid the rear passenger entertainment package if you regularly carry tall passengers as it impinges access, but once onboard two large adults should find loads of headroom and just enough legroom.

Boot space is claimed to be up to 640 litres, but that figure falls to 454 litres with a luggage cover. Despite the mid-life tweaks, the rear seats still don’t fold flat.

If the facelifted Mercedes-AMG G 63 hadn’t been launched at the same time with its trick new semi-active suspension, it would be easy to recommend the new electric 2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e on driving experience alone.

We love how it blends its yesteryear looks with a truly groundbreaking powertrain and adore how capable it is off the beaten track.

But would you be brave enough to head out bush or Outback with our country’s patchy charging infrastructure? We’re not so sure.

It’s also a pain the electric G-wagen has a limited payload and can’t tow a jet ski or even a small boat.

The final kicker is you’d also be missing out on the improved drive in the G 63 that finally elevates it to the performance SUV it always wanted to be – and then there’s that V8 soundtrack…

That said, if you can live with its limitations, we think the Mercedes-Benz G 580e is worthy of the legendary G-wagen name.

2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580e at a glance:
Price: $360,000 est (plus on-road costs)
Available: Final quarter 2024
Powertrain: Four axial flux electric motors
Output: 463kW/1164Nm
Transmission: Two-speed transmission
Battery: 116kWh lithium-ion
Range: 433-473km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 27.7-30.4kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested