This is the first clear glimpse of a major new electric addition to Mercedes’ lineup: a compact, all‑electric take on the iconic G‑Class. Mercedes has not finalised the name — CEO Ola Källenius called it the “little G” at the 2023 Munich Motor Show, and the company has also filed trademarks such as G 250 and G 300, which would sit naturally alongside the larger G 580 with EQ Technology. Due to arrive in 2027 with a likely reveal late in 2026, the smaller G is tipped to be significantly cheaper than the full‑size EV, which today starts at roughly €180,200, and could become a direct rival to the compact Defender arriving in 2027. Recent spy shots make one thing clear: this will be unmistakably G‑Class in spirit, only condensed into a more urban‑friendly package.
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From the front end to the spare‑wheel tailgate, the compact G wears classic G DNA. The bluff nose and round headlights are intact, the bonnet is flat, and the windscreen sits almost upright. A side‑hinged rear door with the spare wheel cover remains, and on the test mule that cover appears likely to double as a tidy charging‑cable locker, mirroring the solution on the current electric G. Boxy wheel arches, pronounced rain gutters that echo the original military silhouette, roof rails and chunky, protruding door handles replace the flush fittings seen on other Mercedes EVs. The prototype also sports a large panoramic roof that could become standard, adding light and a greater sense of space inside. Step into the cabin and you’ll recognise the G’s personality immediately. Squared turbine vents, an oversized passenger grab handle, an upright driving position and acres of glossy touchscreen real estate signal a strong carry‑over of styling cues and presence.
Expect Mercedes’ latest MBUX software to run the show, with slick interfaces across sweeping displays. Despite borrowing the visual language of the full‑size G, the compact will have a lower, narrower body and a shorter wheelbase — attributes that might actually enhance its off‑road agility. Mercedes’ mountain test site in Graz, Austria, is likely to play a role in validation, and engineers will be working to ensure the smaller format still delivers genuine go‑anywhere capability. Behind the scenes the engineering has been bespoke. Markus Schäfer says the miniaturised G demanded its own platform modules rather than an off‑the‑shelf solution. That required a fresh approach to wheel size, suspension articulation and numerous unique components to preserve the G’s character at a smaller scale. “It’s not a ladder frame to this extent,” he explains, pointing to a new chassis architecture tuned for the compact model’s needs, and to a development process that produced more custom parts than initially expected — necessary, he says, to retain both presence and capability.
Powertrain details are being kept close to the vest, but the compact G is confirmed as an EV by its blanked‑off grille; whether an internal‑combustion option survives is unclear. It’s expected to use a modified version of Mercedes’ MB.EA electric platform — the architecture already proving adaptable in vehicles like the CLA EV — and a dual‑motor all‑wheel‑drive setup is likely to be offered for the most capable variants. Battery capacity will be smaller than the enormous 116 kWh pack fitted to the G 580 with EQ Technology, and Mercedes has ruled out range‑extender systems for models of this size.
The aim is clear: deliver the unmistakable G persona in a more compact, city‑savvy form without diluting the model’s authenticity. If Mercedes succeeds, the little G will give loyal fans a new way to enjoy that boxy charisma in tighter streets and daily life, while still promising the off‑road chops that define the name. Expect more concrete specs and pricing as the 2026 reveal approaches.
