The change is profound, as we find ourselves in the midst of a once-in-a-century disruption as EVs rapidly appear on dealer showrooms. Neo-autos brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Lucid Motors, Cadillac, Jeep, and Rivian are ahead of the curve. They are launching novel all electric SUVs that deliver incredible performance with utility. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz’s electric G-Class makes traditionalism look fresh and exciting with its cutting-edge technology. At the same time, the Lucid Gravity dazzles with its truly unbelievable specs.
Mercedes-Benz has taken its legendary G-Class and built an electric version packed with a suite of next-gen technologies. This new model includes a transparent hood function, giving drivers a digital view of the terrain below their vehicle. It provides a new layer of off-road technology that helps drivers put unparalleled prowess in unpredictable terrains at their fingertips. The G-Class includes charging stations in its GPS routing, ensuring that even electric vehicle drivers can take longer trips with ease.
With four individual motors, the electric G-Class should deliver an electrifying performance. Combined they produce a whopping 579 horsepower and 859 lb-ft of torque for thrilling performance. This mighty combination helps transform the G-Class into the most engaging driving experience ever, all without sacrificing the rugged elegance that has long defined this icon. The awards-winning vehicle comes with a “G-ROAR sound experience.” It simulates the sound of a gas engine’s growl, appealing to those that still want to hear and feel the drive of a muscle car.
Meanwhile, Lucid Motors has recently revealed the Gravity. This three-row, seven-seat full-size SUV is a perfect fit for families and anybody else who wants or needs more room. Similar in appearance to a minivan, the Gravity may look family-friendly, but it’s a beast that can produce an astonishing 850 horsepower. And with a manufacturer-estimated 450 miles of range on a full charge, it seeks to tackle that fear of running out of juice that’s pervasive among consumers. Marc Winterhoff from Lucid Motors stated, “The response has been phenomenal, we’re super proud of the Gravity.” He added, “What we did with this car — we basically packed so many different things into it.”
Consumers are counting their pennies and rewarding resilience. At the same time, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ has hit showrooms, signaling Cadillac’s electric future. Tony Quiroga noted, “We’re seeing a really nice resurgence for Cadillac.” This reinvention is a natural fit with Cadillac’s new direction towards the fusion of luxury and sustainability.
Jeep, too, is pushing forward in this landscape with its own first surge of battery-electric vehicles, led by the Jeep Wagoneer S — its first battery-electric SUV. Aamir Ahmed commented on this new model, saying, “The Wagoneer S has a ton of traditional Jeep elements in it.” He further emphasized its performance capabilities by stating, “It’s blazingly fast, with insane torque, and you have so many more comforts.”
Rivian has been grabbing all the headlines, especially with their Quad-Motor models, like the R1S and R1T that debuted earlier this year. Not to mention, these SUVs include the full gambit of four motors that make up to 1,025 hp and 1,198 lb-ft of torque absolutely ridiculous. And the Rivian Quad-Motor R1S does the 0-60 mph sprint in a blistering 2.5 seconds. That’s an outstanding feat for a seven-seat vehicle! Luke Lynch expressed his amazement at this performance: “2.5 seconds for a seven-seater SUV? That’s crazy. In sport mode, the suspension becomes both lower by an inch and stiffer. On twisty backroads, it’s easy to forget this is an SUV—it feels every bit the sports car.
Even with these innovations and with rapid advancements in the electric SUV market, industry insiders are realistic about struggles with consumer appetite. As Tyson Jominy of J.D. Power noted in SUBPRIME consumer pool has drained up pretty dramatically, as you might expect. Bart Herring from Mercedes-Benz remains optimistic about the G-Class’s market presence: “We’re seeing strong interest from customers who value the iconic G-Class design paired with progressive technology.” He added that “early sales figures reflect healthy demand, underscoring the G-Class’ enduring appeal in a new era.”
Electric SUVs are super-hot right now. The priorities of manufacturers have shifted in the past few years to producing vehicles with high levels of performance and technology. Mercedes-Benz, Lucid Motors, Cadillac, Jeep, Rivian…these brands are at each other’s throats. They’re propelling a move towards greener cars that put nothing at stake except the environment.
