Stephen Edelstein / Digital Trends / Digital Trends
Mercedes - Benz has finally convey the wrapper off of the unexampled “ Mercedes - Benz G580 with EQ Technology . ” Yeah , it ’s a mouthful , but it ’s fundamentally anew galvanising G - Wagon . It search a great deal like the G - Wagon you know and love , but with an electric powertrain and a battery . It ’s not the only electric SUV out there , however , and there are some big ones — like the Rivian R2 .
Both the Mercedes G580 andthe Rivian R2have a lot go for them , but they also near the electric SUV slightly differently . Is one better than the other ? I put the two head - to - fountainhead to find out .
Stephen Edelstein/Digital Trends / Digital Trends
Design
The approach that the two vehicles take to designing is quite different — and you might care one better than the other .
As mentioned , the G580 carry the torch of the G - Wagon . It has that bounteous square design , round headlamp at the front , and a generally rugged facial expression to it . It has a flat ceiling and barely a curve on its exterior body anywhere . At the front , you ’ll find a new grille with the Mercedes - Benz logo in the center . The vehicle measure in at 182 inch long , 76 column inch encompassing , and 78 inches high .
TheRivian R2 tender a unlike takeon design . It ’s still quite boxy , and it ’s still relatively large . But it ’s also a little more approachable . It has Rivian ’s now - classic oval headlights at the front , with a long light bar across the back . The R2 measures 185.6 inches long , 75 in wide , and 66.9 inches high . So , while it ’s a piddling longer than the G580 , it ’s not quite as panoptic , and it ’s quite a bit short .
Both vehicles are secure - looking cars — and you ’ll have to make up one’s mind for yourself which plan you like better .
victor : connect
Interior and tech
The vehicles are passably different on the inside too . The G580 looks like a crossing over between the previous G - Wagon and other Mercedes electrical car . It ’s still rugged on the interior , with big handles and showy hind end , but it also offer things like a dual - showing setup at the front for the infotainment system and instrument monitoring . The G580 also has bright accent light throughout , and itsupports CarPlayand Android Auto .
Rivian has a slightly unlike access to interior invention . The Rivian R2 also seem quite broken , with solid seat coverings and big showing at the front . There ’s a 15.6 - inch infotainment presentation , and while it does n’t support CarPlay or Android Auto , it does have Rivian ’s own software program build into it , which owners generally have it off . Rivian has another trick up its arm , though — both the front and rear seats on the R2 can fold down flavourless , providing enough room for an air mattress . It ’s a coolheaded feature for those who be after on camping , for good example .
The Rivian R2 is probably a little more tech - focused , especially when it comes to software . However , some buyers do n’t need a third - party documentary film system , even if it is well - design — they just want CarPlay . Again , you ’ll have to decide for yourself what you prefer .
Performance
Both the Mercedes G580 and the Rivian R2 are properly powerful , but they have slightly different features when it come to carrying out . The G580 , for starters , is only available in a quad - motor conformation , no matter what alternative you go for . The fomite offers 579 H.P. and 859 pound - feet of torque . This translates to a an quickening from zero to 60 naut mi per hour in only 4.6 arcsecond . But the vehicle will offer other performance - related features . Notably , it ’ll have the new G - direction function that allow it circumvolve on its axis . It also has practical differential locking , which will let it route power separately to the rack that need it during off - roading .
The Rivian R2 step thing up a little , though keep in mind that it ’s not yet uncommitted for purchase , and there are still things we do n’t yet fuck about its execution . We do knowthat Rivian saysthe vehicle will be available in single- , dual- , and tri - centrifugal contour , and that the most powerful version of it will be capable to accelerate from 0 to 60 naut mi per hour in under 3.0 seconds .
The G580 has interesting off - roading feature , but the Rivian is still more powerful — at least in its most powerful trims . It gets the profits here .
Winner : Rivian R2
Range and charging
Range and charging is a big part of owning any galvanising car , and it ’s quite different between these two vehicle . The Mercedes G580 leverages Mercedes ’ experience in make EVs , but with a quad - motor setup , it rust up battery pretty fast . According to Mercedes , the fomite will pop the question up to 240 miles of kitchen stove , which is a bit low than we would have liked . It ’ll burden at up to 200 kW at a DC fast charger , and will get from 10 % to 80 % battery in a picayune more than 30 minutes .
The Rivian R2 will likely offer a small more in the way of range . We do n’t yet have all the specifications of the R2 , especially when it comes to the cheaper models . But we do lie with that the R2 will offer up “ over ” 300 miles of range — which we expect to come from the longest - range versions of the fomite . We ’re desire that even the lower - range mannequin have at last 270 miles or so . The R2 will probably charge at 220kW , like the Rivian R1S.
Because the R2canget more range than the G580 ( whether the base model will or not ) , it get the win here .
Price and availability
Both the Mercedes - Benz G580 and the Rivian R2 have been announce — but neither of them are available just yet . So , if you resolve on purchase one of them , you ’re going to have to wait a little . Mercedes has n’t yet foretell how much the G580 will cost — but it ’s said to have a start price of between $ 150,000 and $ 200,000 . The G580 is expected to go on sale later this class , but a date has yet to be let on .
The Rivian R2 , on the other hand , is Rivian ’s effort at a lower - toll vehicle , and Rivian enjoin it ’ll come in at $ 45,000 . It wo n’t be uncommitted until the first one-half of 2026 , however .
The R2 is much bum , but the G580 will be available rather . This one ’s a tie .
Conclusions
Rivian has been making headlines in the world of EVs for some time , but the G - Wagon is just … coolheaded . As an electric automobile , the Rivian R2 is better . It has better public presentation , a foresighted mountain chain ( at least count on the trim ) , and cost a whole lot less . But the Mercedes - Benz G580 has some super - cool off - roading feature article , not to cite style to spare .
