A Legend Rewired: Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ Charges into South Africa

The G-Wagon spirit lives on, just cleaner, quieter and shockingly quick

There’s something sacred about a G-Wagon. From the way the doors close with a vault-like thud to its unapologetic, upright stance, it’s always been a bold expression of both power and tradition. So when news broke that Mercedes-Benz had electrified it, the question on every South African enthusiast’s mind was simple: Is it still a real G?

Meet the Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ, the all-electric beast that says yes.

Familiar luxury, futuristic power

At a glance, the G580 EQ looks just like the G-Wagon we’ve come to love. But underneath the classic boxy frame sits a 116-kWh battery powering three electric motors. Together, they deliver 432 kW and a jaw-dropping 1,164 Nm of torque.

Despite weighing in at over 3,000 kg, this SUV rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds. But while it’s quick, charging it is not. Mercedes claims 450 km of range, though we saw closer to 375 km in real-world driving.

With 200 kW fast charging, you could recharge up to 80% in 30 minutes if you find a station that powerful (rare in SA). More realistically, a standard 11 kW home charger will take around 11 hours, and public charging points are often underpowered or unreliable.

Same G-Wagon DNA, modernised

Mercedes didn’t reinvent the G-Wagon with the G580 EQ. Instead, they refined it. Inside, the cabin is instantly recognisable, with physical buttons, an upright dashboard, and no overcomplicated tech interfaces.

Importantly, three differential locks and a low-range transfer case are still here, just electrified. You also get the legendary off-road angles: 850 mm wading depth, 250 mm clearance, 32° approach, and 30.7° departure.

The battery sits low in the chassis, shielded by a 26 mm carbon plate, which actually improves stability. Gone is the usual G-Class body roll; this version grips tighter and turns quicker.

Heritage without compromise

From Austrian mountaintops to remote corners of the Karoo, G-Wagons have earned their place in off-road legend. And the G580 EQ holds onto that spirit. It’s rugged yet refined, brutal yet whisper-quiet, and manages to blend its petrol ancestry with a clean electric future.

This isn’t a concept car or a greenwashed marketing ploy. It’s a real G-Wagon, built for the real world, just tuned for tomorrow.

Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Also yes.

The G580 EQ Edition One retails at R4 647 456, which includes nearly every available extra. While eye-watering, it’s actually more cost-effective than speccing out a traditional G-Class to the same level.

And for G-Wagon loyalists, it offers something incredibly rare in the EV space: familiarity. If you’ve driven any G-Class before, this one won’t confuse or alienate you. It will just… surprise you. In the best way.

In a world where electric vehicles often scream, “Look how different I am,” the Mercedes-Benz G580 EQ whispers something else entirely: “I’m still the same icon, only better.”

It’s not just a smart EV. It’s a statement. And in South Africa, where heritage and capability matter as much as luxury, that might just be the G580 EQ’s greatest selling point.

Also read: Should You Buy a Hybrid Car in South Africa? (2025 Guide)

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Source: The South African

Featured Image: Complete Car