Mercedes-Benz brings its legendary SUV into 2025 with electrification, refinement, and performance still true to its roots

Few vehicles carry the weight of cultural permanence quite like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. First conceived in 1979 as a utilitarian workhorse, it has since become both a status symbol and a style statement, appearing everywhere from oil fields to Orchard Road.

In Singapore, the latest chapter of this icon is now unfolding.

At G-HAUS — a three-day showcase of design, engineering, and heritage — Mercedes-Benz Singapore unveiled its complete line-up of the all-new G-Class: the all-electric G 580 with EQ Technology, the petrol-powered G 500, and the performance-driven AMG G 63. 

Each carries the unmistakable boxy silhouette that has defined the model for decades. Yet, each represents a different point on the spectrum of what luxury SUVs mean in 2025: sustainability, modern refinement, and unfiltered power.

Electrifying an icon: G 580

The introduction of the G 580 in particular signals a shift. Mercedes-Benz has been careful not to dilute the G-Class DNA even as it electrifies the model. 

Built on the traditional ladder frame and retaining its iconic details — from exposed door hinges to the spare wheel mounted at the rear — the G 580 manages to feel both futuristic and deeply familiar. Its four independently controlled electric motors generate 432kw of output and deliver tricks that sound more like science fiction than automotive engineering. 

With G-TURN, for instance, the vehicle can spin almost on the spot, while G-STEERING reduces turning circles on challenging terrain. Together with an Offroad Crawl function, the electric G-Class suggests that sustainability need not mean compromise, even on unpaved ground.

The petrol-driven G 500 and AMG G 63, meanwhile, have evolved in quieter but no less significant ways. The G 500 comes equipped with a new inline six-cylinder mild hybrid system, pairing improved efficiency with a reassuring 330.2kw. 

The AMG G 63, long the preferred choice for those who equate presence with power, has been enhanced with AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension and its familiar 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine. The result is a machine that accelerates from 0 to 100 kmh in just 4.3 seconds — an extraordinary feat for a vehicle that still commands respect off-road.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz has pushed the G-Class further into the digital age. The latest MBUX infotainment system comes standard across the line-up, complete with dual 12.3-inch displays and augmented reality navigation. 

Voice assistance has been expanded to include commands created specifically for G-Class owners. At the same time, ambient lighting, leather upholstery, and a dizzying array of MANUFAKTUR personalisation options transform the cabin into a space that is both tailored and theatrical.

More than a million combinations are now possible, from paint colours and trims to bespoke stitching and finishes.

Heritage meets strategy

Yet what continues to resonate most with enthusiasts is not the technology but the tension the G-Class embodies — between heritage and reinvention, between raw performance and modern polish. 

“Our momentum in 2025 reflects a sharpened portfolio, strategic focus and the unwavering trust of our customers,” said Marcel Luis Mustelier Perez, president & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Singapore. “The G-Class family exemplifies this strength as a compelling part of our top-end vehicle offering”.

The launch is also a commercial signal. Mercedes-Benz’s top-end vehicle segment — which includes the S-Class, Maybach, and GLS — has nearly doubled in volume year-on-year in Singapore. 

Positioning the G-Class at the centre of this strategy ensures it will remain both a design beacon and a revenue driver. For a market where exclusivity and status often intertwine with purchasing decisions, the G-Class holds particular weight.

Ultimately, the refreshed line-up suggests that Mercedes-Benz has managed a delicate balancing act. The G-Class still feels like the Geländewagen of old — solid, unapologetic, built to endure — yet it now carries a new proposition for an era where luxury is increasingly defined by choice. Petrol, electric, or AMG performance: each path reflects not only how one drives but how one imagines the future of mobility.