G-Wagon Price In The US Exposes The Global EV Cost Divide

ArabGT

3 hours ago

Electric cars aren't just about wild acceleration or futuristic gadgets anymore — these days, the real drama is in the price tag. And nothing illustrates that better than the G-Wagon price story with Mercedes' latest creation, the all-electric G580 EQ.
In the US, Mercedes is offering a $9,500 discount (SAR 35,625) on lease deals for the electric G-Wagon. To put that into perspective, that discount alone is almost enough to buy a brand-new BYD Seagull in China. Imagine that — what's just a discount in America could get you a whole car elsewhere. It's the kind of contrast that makes the G-Wagon price a headline all on its own.
Now, let's talk numbers. The G-Wagon price in its electric form starts at around $162,650 (SAR 609,937), making it one of the most expensive electric SUVs on the planet. For comparison, the gasoline-powered G550 is roughly $13,000 (SAR 48,750) cheaper. That difference alone is enough to make buyers pause before going electric. To ease the decision, Mercedes recently raised its leasing incentive from $7,500 to $9,500, with interest rates dipping as low as 4.3%. Still, these perks only apply to leasing — not to buying outright.
And here's why: the electric G-Wagon is built outside the US, so it doesn't qualify for federal EV purchase credits. Leasing lets Mercedes pass some of those tax breaks along to customers, making the G-Wagon price a little more digestible for those who don't want to pay the full sticker price upfront.
Meanwhile, things look completely different in China. Thanks to government subsidies and mass production, electric cars there are shockingly affordable. For the same value as the US discount, you could actually buy an entire entry-level EV. That's how far apart the markets are — the G-Wagon price in the US versus EV prices in China tells the story of two very different worlds.
But let's be fair: the G-Wagon isn't trying to compete with budget EVs. This is a luxury icon. It keeps the same boxy silhouette enthusiasts love, but underneath lies a high-tech electric drivetrain delivering powerful yet whisper-quiet performance. Inside, the cabin is pure Mercedes — plush, digital, and packed with cutting-edge driver-assistance features. On top of that, it still has the legendary off-road capabilities that made the G-Class a star.
Still, the conversation always circles back to the G-Wagon price. At well over $160,000, it's a symbol of prestige, exclusivity, and just how different the EV market looks depending on where you live.