Mercedes G 580 Electric SUV Struggles to Find Buyers at $161,500 Starting Price

Mercedes-Benz Group (MBG.DE) is reportedly struggling to sell the G 580 with EQ Technology, its electric G-Class SUV, as a starting price of $161,500 and aggressive lease deals around $2,000 per month have failed to spur demand. The vehicle, equipped with four electric motors producing 579 horsepower and 859 lb-ft of torque, delivers a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. A 116-kWh battery provides an EPA-estimated 239 miles of range, with DC fast charging from 10% to 80% in about 32 minutes at up to 200 kW. The test vehicle, a MANUFAKTUR trim level, climbed to $183,250. Launched as gasoline-powered G-Class alternatives gain traction, the electric variant faces competition from the Porsche Taycan and forthcoming Range Rover EV, though neither matches its iconic status. Policy headwinds add pressure: federal tax credits for EVs have been eliminated, and the current administration is openly hostile to electric vehicle adoption, clouding the model’s long-term prospects in its core U.S. market.