Mercedes-Benz Canada says one in every three G-Wagons sold last year was an EQ.Vincent Patenaude/Supplied
There is a certain irony in piloting a vehicle that weighs more than 3,000 kilograms through the quiet, snow-dusted serenity of Sutton’s Huttopia campgrounds. The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology is a hulking paradox: a whisper-quiet electric beast that maintains the aerodynamic profile of a filing cabinet.
The G-Wagon has always been a statement piece and, according to Mercedes-Benz Canada, one in every three G-Wagons sold last year was an EQ. However, after more than 500 kilometres of snowy, rainy and cold Quebec weather, I’m left wondering if this is a revolutionary leap or simply a quarter-million-dollar novelty.
The Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology has 579 horsepower and 859 lb-ft of torque.Vincent Patenaude/Supplied
Cold reality and range
The weekend away required some logistical gymnastics. Despite its girth, the G580 houses a battery that feels undersized. In the freezing rain of the Eastern Townships, the total range hovered around the 300-kilometre mark. This necessitated frequent stops at public chargers – an exercise in patience because of limited pubic chargers offering 100-kilowatt-hour capability, though the battery’s ability to precondition meant charging speeds remained consistent despite the dip in mercury. When I was able to use a 100-kilowatt-hour charger, the G-Wagon pulled more than 85 consistently, which meant my wait averaged between 30 minutes and one hour to charge from 10 to 90 per cent.
The interior is quintessentially Mercedes yet oddly bare-bones.Vincent Patenaude/Supplied
A luxurious contradiction
Inside, the G580 is quintessentially Mercedes, yet oddly bare-bones in its ruggedness, like a too-cool Jeep Wrangler dressed up in father’s best dinner jacket. The materials are top-tier, but the ergonomics tell a different story. For a vehicle that looks massive from the curb, the interior is surprisingly intimate.
Packing for a weekend at a cabin required a masterful game of gear Tetris to fit snowboarding equipment and essentials into the 1,056 litres of space with the rear seats up, and a massive 1,990 litres with them folded. Space like that is hard to come by and would require a Rivian R1S or Cadillac Escalade IQ for the same amount. Despite all that interior space, it’s a vehicle that drives large on the road but feels narrow from behind the wheel.
Then there are the doors. To close them requires a firm, unceremonious slam. They lack the dampened, heavy thud we’ve come to expect from German engineering, feeling uncharacteristically tinny – more like a vintage utility tool than a modern luxury cruiser.
The Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology has a motor on each wheel allowing it to spin 360 degrees on its own axis.Vincent Patenaude/Supplied
Gimmicks or greatness?
On paper, the G580 is an engineering marvel. It swaps traditional mechanical lockers for software-driven virtual differential locks, managed by four independent electric motors – one at each wheel. Combined, they churn out a staggering 579 horsepower and 859 lb-ft of torque. It even features a two-speed transmission for genuine low-range crawling.
Then there are the party tricks. The G-Turn (often colloquially called G-Bounce for the sensation it creates) allows the vehicle to spin 360 degrees on its own axis by counter-rotating the motors. While technically impressive, it’s a gimmick – more likely to be used in a Yorkville parking lot than a legitimate trail.
The real test for the G580 came at the top of a steep, gravel incline at the campsite. After a heavy snowfall, the hill mimicked a run at the nearby Mont Sutton ski resort. Mid-climb, after having to pull over to let another vehicle pass, attempting to regain momentum was a white-knuckle affair. The G580 struggled to find its footing despite the sophisticated quad-motor setup. Or, perhaps, the massive amount of instant electric torque and power was the reason it lost its grip. The big-box SUV was nearly 90 degrees to the road before the traction control finally whispered a prayer and the wheels caught. It was a stark reminder that while the G-Class is an off-road legend, more than 3,000 kilograms of electric SUV is still subject to the laws of physics.
The Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology costs $206,000 plus fees and taxes, including the luxury tax.Vincent Patenaude/Supplied
The verdict
Is it the electric Hummer of the North? In many ways, yes. It is a brilliant piece of engineering that perhaps tries too hard to be two things at once. It is undeniably capable and prestigious, but for the driver facing a true Canadian winter, the G580 EQ remains a polarizing choice: a magnificent, silent toy for those with deep pockets and a penchant for the unconventional.
Tech specs
2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology (Edition One)
- Price (as tested): $206,000 plus about $21,235 for the luxury tax, plus $5,050 for freight and pre-delivery inspection.
- Powertrain/battery: Fully electric quad motor/116 kilowatt-hours (usable) 122 (total)
- Transmission/drive: 4x2-speed automatic transmission, one paired with each motor/AWD with virtual differential locks.
- Horsepower/torque (lb-ft): 579/859
- Range: 432 kilometres (Estimated National Resources Canada range); approximately 473 kilometres (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure)
- Energy consumption: 31 kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres (observed)
- Curb weight: 3,085 kilograms
- Alternatives: Rivian R1S, GMC Hummer EV SUV, Range Rover PHEV
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