The Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology, otherwise referred to as the G-Class EV, offers customers world-class luxury and ruggedness with the benefit of being purely electric. In a comparison test by Edmunds.com, the G 580 was pitted against its main rival, the GMC Hummer EV, in a battle of on- and off-road usability at the Hungry Valley OHV in the California desert.
How the G 580 Gets Around
Powering the G 580 with EQ Technology is a 116-kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack powering dual motors that combined deliver 579 horsepower and 859 lb-ft of torque. In Car and Driver’s hands, the EV G took only 4.1 seconds to launch to 60 mph, on its way to a 12.6-second quarter-mile time at 108 mph—very impressive for a vehicle that weighs 6,908 pounds. Mercedes-Benz says the G 580 EV can handle an extra 5.9 inches of wading depth.
First Up, the Hummer
Sitting in the Hummer EV, Edmunds left the vehicle in its base off-road mode that features 11.9 inches of ground clearance. With 1,200 lb-ft of torque, the Hummer couldn’t get up the hill—even with its mud-terrain tires—stopping after putting one wheel in the air and another spinning. The team backed it down the hill and changed the driving mode to its Terrain setting, which seemed to help the Hummer get up the hill.
Time for the G to Shine
Next up was the electric G, with Edmunds.com proving why you should always trust its abilities, saying, “... the Mercedes didn't have to touch its other drive modes at all. It simply walked up the hill in its basic setting and we didn't even have to turn off traction control. We could feel the wheels slipping at different points but only for brief moments, as the vehicle would simply shift the power around to keep things moving. And most impressively, this all felt incredibly seamless from behind the wheel; we kept a steady throttle and the G 580 figured out its way up the hill with no drama.”
Tires Don’t Fail Me Now
Believe it or not, the G-Wagen climbed that hill without all-terrain tires. In fact, it was wearing summer tires that are specific to road conditions—not mud, dirt, or gravel. With meatier tires there is no doubt that it would be unstoppable, probably even being able to climb Mount Everest.
A Unique Skid Plate
Next the crew took the electric G and Hummer up the ziggurat, which is basically just a series of rock steps that you climb up with one tire to see how far up you can go. Spoiler alert: the G won this again. With a set of summer tires compared to the Hummer’s mud tires, the G 580 was able to get nearly all the way up the ziggurat. Fun factoid: the G-Wagen features a 1-inch-thick carbon fiber skid plate under it.
In Conclusion
Even with less power and torque, summer tires, and being used in its base off-road mode, the G 580 EV was crowned as the winner by Edmunds.com because the team felt like it did just as much and more—with less of everything that the Hummer had. The G didn’t need all the fancy equipment to do the same job that the Hummer did. The website said in its conclusion that “... the G 580 proved to be a champ, and it's the better of the two to drive on the street or down a dirt road.”
There’s Nothing Like the G 580
If you’re looking for an opportunity to own one of the world’s most luxurious and prestigious SUVs ever made, Mercedes-Benz of Plano has the G-Class you want, whether it be the gas or electric model. With real off-road chops and great on-road driving dynamics, the G-Wagen is the one vehicle that can do it all without breaking a sweat.
Why Choose Ewing Mercedes-Benz of Plano
At Ewing Mercedes-Benz of Plano, we strive to offer the best sales and service to you, our customers. Whether it be new or pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles, our sales team and finance department will work tirelessly to assist you in getting the perfect car at an excellent price. And when it’s time to take care of your vehicle, the service department will treat every car or SUV as if it were their own, ensuring it’s handed over to you in the best possible condition. We look forward to serving you soon.
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