Mercedes-Benz G-Class EV review: Classy colossus is striking, secure and silent

There's nothing cumbersome about the brand's newest electric SUV - aside from its official name

A reassuringly familiar sight for celebrity big-car fans. The the fossil-fuel-free Mercedes-Benz G-Class, known to many as the G-Wagen, is finally here. All photos: Mercedes-Benz AG

Easy access in and out of the rear with the gate door

The G-580's fulsome front air intakes

The place the stars sit

Everyone will know what you're driving by the exterior alone, but, just in case...

The open-door lighting signature

It's an off-roader, but not the usual kind

The G-580's very safe cabin

G-Wagen ready to roll

Salt flats? No problem

Once upon a time, anyone mooting the idea that car manufacturers would be producing hefty SUVs not requiring fuel extracted from the ground might have garnered odd looks.

However, the relatively recent arrival of the likes of the GMC Hummer, the BMW iX, the Kia EV9 and the Cadillac Lyriq – and one could cite plenty of others – has shown that the market for an electrified heavy mob is there and was never such a bizarre concept. Now, with the rapidity of water flooding out of a cracked radiator, they’re all at it.

Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to the non-petrol arena – last year's EQS 580 4x4 is an accomplished ride that’s on the large side – but the manufacturer has now ploughed in with an electrified version of one of its most traditionally hardcore vehicles.

Yes, the fossil-fuel-free G-Class, known to many as the G-Wagen, is finally here, its arrival much anticipated by Mercedes fans and those who just like the sound of a big, safe, posh charabanc.

Salt flats? No problem for Mercedes-Benz's first electric G-Class. Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG

You wouldn’t really be able to distinguish the G580 With EQ Technology (to refer to it by its technical name – yes, it really is that cumbersome) from its petrol-powered predecessors, so the car still looks plenty tough. It’s just a little quieter.

That’s where the differences end. Driving along in the electrified version is as comfortable and serene an experience as you’d get in any vehicle on the road, not least an earlier G-Wagen. This is to be expected as the cabin noise inside a petrol G-Class has never been oppressive (unlike a Jeep Gladiator, say).

The Pope's customised G580. Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG

Mercedes said its plan was to create an EV which lost none of the power or off-road capability of the petrol option, and it has succeeded in that. It’s a given that you could tackle the most obstinate terrain in this vehicle and it’s still very quick, a selling point that also applied to previous G-Wagens.

Despite being a bulky car with, let’s not be shy, no notice ever being taken of aerodynamics in its design, the G580 will hit 100kph in around four seconds. That’s not best in class but it’s impressive nonetheless.

Lows include the G580 having a little less luggage space than its petrol counterpart. That’s not a disaster though, as there is no lack of room the back. For most of us, the biggest negative would be that the price is still undeniably eye-watering.

That’s probably why the G-Wagen has been something of a celebrity favourite, combining that traditional, boxy solidity with more than a dash of Merc class and exclusivity. Even the Pope took delivery of a customised version last year. That didn’t generate the kind of Instagram storm that would have followed if Taylor Swift ordered one in Barbie pink, but it’s serious kudos nonetheless.

The G-Class EV is secure, agile and ritzy, so it’s fair to say it captures all the spirit of the petrol version. The electrified heavy mob will have a bright future if they can emulate this classy colossus.