The Mercedes-Benz G-Class hardly needs an introduction. The “G” stands for Geländewagen – roughly translating to “off-road vehicle” – and it’s been doing exactly that for more than four decades. A military-bred beast that more than makes up for its lack of manners with ingrained toughness.

Oddly, this unapologetically rugged 4×4 has evolved into something of a celebrity wagon. Across its 45-year career, the G-Wagen has been pictured with everyone from rap icons to royalty, all clamouring to be seen in its square-edged silhouette. It’s equal parts hardcore off-roader and status symbol – a rolling paradox of grit and glamour.

The AMG-tuned G63, with its thumping twin-turbo V8, is perhaps the most outrageous example – loud, lurid and ludicrously indulgent. So, the idea of swapping that engine for an enormous 124kWh battery pack and four independently powered electric motors doesn’t seem quite as mad as it sounds. Especially when you remember the starting price: a cool £154,870.

“Officially, Mercedes claims a 294-mile range, but in reality, you’ll be lucky to see 200 miles before hunting down a charge”

The G 580 with EQ Technology (yes, that’s the full title) is colossal, heavy, not exactly efficient, and about as aerodynamic as a garden shed. But spend some time behind the wheel and, strangely, it begins to make sense.

Mercedes-Benz made a huge splash when this electric G-Class arrived – back then dubbed the EQG – spinning gracefully through Las Vegas, pulling showy “G-Turns” at the annual CES event. But beneath the marketing theatrics lies some serious engineering. The Germans have wrapped the vital electrical components in a carbon-reinforced underbody shield, so the G 580 still clambers up rocks and wades through mud like the off-road legend it’s always been.

From the outside, most people won’t realise it is powered by electricity until it glides silently past. Then come the double-takes, the dropped jaws, and the inevitable, “Wait, is that an EV?” To which you’ll simply nod as you head for the nearest charging station — something you’ll do fairly often, given the official range is only pegged at 270 to 294-miles, but expect much less.

During a recent 400-mile weekend trip, I plugged the G 580 in three separate times just to make it home with a bit of charge to spare.

A big softy

The exterior has softened ever so slightly over the years, with smoother edges and subtle tweaks for aerodynamic efficiency — though let’s be honest, no amount of wind-tunnel tuning can disguise the fact this is a 3.2-tonne block trying to punch through the air. The silence of the electric drivetrain only highlights the wind roar from those enormous mirrors and the upright windscreen.

At the rear, Mercedes has added a tongue-in-cheek twist: the classic spare wheel cover now conceals the charging cables instead of an actual spare wheel. It looks a bit daft, but then again, so does the rest of the car — and that’s part of its charm.

“From the outside, most people won’t realise it is powered by electricity until it glides silently past”

The G’s doors still require a proper slam to shut, with a reassuring clunk that sounds like a vault locking. Everything about the car is gloriously over-engineered — theatrical, excessive, but strangely loveable.

Inside, the story’s similar. It’s hardly spacious, with rear passengers rubbing shoulders and limited legroom throughout. Even the boot feels oddly proportioned. Somehow tall, but shallow. Climbing aboard is a comedy sketch in itself, particularly for shorter drivers who might consider a step ladder part of the standard kit.

While the G-Class has always worn its heritage proudly, the electric version is thoroughly modern inside. The cabin now features dual 12.3-inch digital displays that handle everything from media to off-road telemetry. A dedicated off-road “cockpit” even displays power delivery across all four wheels and an “invisible bonnet” view to make rocky terrain less of a guessing game.

That said, not everything is perfect. The steering wheel is littered with haptic touch buttons that are far too sensitive, and I lost track of how many times I changed radio stations or messed up the cruise control by accident. Adjusting the volume can also be infuriatingly hit-and-miss, though thankfully, Mercedes has retained a satisfying array of physical switches on the centre console.

Perhaps the quirkiest addition is the “G-Roar” system, which comprises a sound generator designed to mimic the growl of an engine. You can tweak the tone if you wish, and it does a half-decent job of masking slightly excessive wind noise, but most owners will probably switch it off once the novelty wears off.

Shockingly capable

Despite weighing as much as a small moon, the G 580 sprints from 0–62mph in 4.7 seconds, which is deeply impressive for something this size. It cruises comfortably on the motorway too, though it’s not exactly serene — there’s still the odd creak and rattle from that old-school ladder frame.

But that’s to be expected, as despite the electric motors, this is still a proper off-roader and there’s some serious engineering going on underneath the skin.

In fact, four, individually controlled motors (one at each wheel) develop a staggering 1,164 Nm of torque, while virtual differential locks are produced via clever, computer-assisted torque vectoring. It’s like traditional off-road technology has been given the PlayStation treatment.

Although I didn’t have the means to really test its mettle during the few days I enjoyed the G 580, the off-road performance is staggering. G-Steer allows even the tightest of switchbacks to be carefully navigated, while the various off-road modes help it tackle everything from deep water wading to snowy mountain vistas.

Proper 4×4 enthusiast will likely turn their noses up at all of this digital interference, but the bottom line is, even a complete novice could handle some of the roughest terrain with little worry about getting stuck. There’s also the G-Turn feature that individually operates each wheel so the vehicle can spin 36-degrees on the spot. It makes getting out of any tight situation a doddle.

“No amount of wind-tunnel tuning can disguise the fact this is a 3.2-tonne block trying to punch through the air”

Still thirsty

Officially, Mercedes claims a 294-mile range, but in reality, you’ll be lucky to see 200 miles before hunting down a charger. At up to 200kW, charging is brisk enough, but with public rates nearing £1 per kWh, a long road trip can easily rack up a £300 electricity bill.

Of course, anyone dropping six figures on an electric G-Class isn’t likely to lose sleep over running costs, especially if they can charge their sweeping gravel driveway. This car isn’t about efficiency — it’s about theatre. It’s as irrational as it’s irresistible.

The electric G-Wagen makes the most sense if you’ve got a private garage, a home charger and a sense of humour. It’s big, brash, heavy and hilariously indulgent… just like the big V8 versions always have been.

Never change G, never change.