AUTO

Mercedes-Benz G 580 Proves The Electric G-Class Still Plays Hard With 579 Horsepower

January 22, 2026

The 2026 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology uses four electric motors producing 579 horsepower with advanced torque vectoring.
The electric G-Class offers a 33.5-inch fording depth and features like G-TURN and Transparent Hood for serious off-road use.
Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale has 2026 G 580 models available now, offering a tailored buying experience in Arizona.

I have spent years watching automakers toy with electrification, test the waters, then back away once legacy nameplates entered the conversation. The G-Class never seemed like a realistic option.

It’s too angular to be softened. Too unapologetic to compromise. And too rooted in mechanical history to bend without losing its character.

And yet here we are, staring at the 2026 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology, an electric G-Class that somehow keeps its attitude intact.

The photo of the G-Wagon in the press release feels instantly familiar, with the same squared stance and confidence that seems to tell surrounding traffic to stay in line. The small details gradually adjust that first impression while preserving everything that made it familiar in the first place.

Four individually controlled electric motors. Not one. Not two. Four. Combined output reaches 579 horsepower, managed through torque vectoring that replaces physical differential locks with software precision. That means power goes exactly where traction lives.

Then there’s G-TURN, which allows the G 580 to rotate on its own axis with a level of control that feels deliberate. Anyone who has wrestled a full-size SUV through tight trails will immediately understand the value here, since low-speed maneuvering becomes far less stressful.

With a 33.5-inch fording depth that exceeds gas-powered G-Wagons, the electric variant holds its ground without tradeoffs.

Inside, Mercedes stays true to the formula. Serious materials. Hand-finished Nappa leather. Solid switchgear. Dual 12.3-inch displays anchor the dash, running the latest MBUX interface without feeling like a tablet glued to a truck.

The Transparent Hood camera system deserves special mention. It stitches together exterior camera feeds so you can see obstacles directly beneath the front wheels.

I have seen professional drifting teams and race crews use similar camera setups to capture underbody footage during runs, and the concept works for the same reason here. It gives the driver precise visual context when tires, terrain, and clearance all matter at once.

Off-road enthusiasts call that a cheat code, while engineers frame it as situational awareness, and both descriptions feel accurate in real-world use.

Sound matters too, even when an engine disappears. Mercedes answers that with G-ROAR, an engineered acoustic layer that gives feedback without pretending to be something else. It avoids cartoon noise. Instead, it provides audible cues tied to vehicle response. It’s helpful, subtle, and surprisingly satisfying.

Matt McDermott from Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale explains that electric propulsion preserves the G-Wagon’s character while adding trail precision and street composure, especially during daily driving around Scottsdale. That sentiment tracks. The G 580 feels calmer on pavement, more controlled off it, and far less busy overall.

Availability matters, especially for buyers who prefer action over waitlists. Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale currently has 2026 G 580 models in stock and available for order. Their facility sits across from Scottsdale Fashion Square, and their team specializes in tailoring purchases around lifestyle needs. Nobody buys a G-Class accidentally.

The electric G-Class answers a question many skeptics keep asking. Can an icon survive electrification? The G 580 answers with a quiet yes, then pivots in place just to make the point clearer.