The Mercedes 'Baby' G-Class Will Be A Real Off-Roader. Here's What We Know

The 'Baby' G-Class will get its off-road cues from its big sibling and could have a hybrid powertrain. Here's what we know.

Mercedes-Benz Baby G-Class Rendering By Motor1

Photo by: Motor1

Anthony Alaniz

By: Anthony Alaniz

Updated: Feb 25, at 12:01pm ET

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Mercedes-Benz is expanding its iconic G-Wagen lineup with a second, smaller offering—nicknamed "Baby G." As the name implies, this off-roader will resemble a shrunken-down version of the current G-Class, so think of it as the Bronco Sport to the traditional Ford Bronco.

Originally rumored to be exclusively battery-electric, Mercedes is now considering offering the bite-sized SUV with a hybrid powertrain in key markets. The automaker is also hyping up the Baby G as a proper off-road sibling to the bigger variant.

Since its official announcement in 2023, Mercedes has revealed new details about the model while fresh rumors continue to circulate online. The Baby G will enter production sometime next year, but this is everything we know about the SUV so far.

What Will It Be Called?

Mercedes Little G teaser

Mercedes Little G teaser

Photo by: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes called this the "Little G" when CEO Ola Kallenius officially announced it at IAA Munich 2023. Even the logo that the company showed used a lowercase "g."

As adorable as it would be, Mercedes probably won't use "Little G" or "Baby G" as the official name when the off-roader reaches production. The electric G-Class uses the moniker EQG, so some variation of that three-letter nomenclature is likely for the smaller all-electric model, as well.

What Will It Look Like?

Mercedes G-Class (2027), the Motor1.com render

Mercedes 'Baby' G-Class Rendering by Motor1

Photo by: Motor1.com

Well, it's going to look like a G-Class—but smaller. Our rendering artists imagined what the electric version of the pint-sized off-roader could look like by blending cues from the current model with a few EQ-specific elements, such as the closed-off "grille" with the repeating tri-star logos and illuminated accents.

As an off-road SUV, it's bound to be rugged. Plastic cladding will likely cover a large portion of the front fascia, wheel wells, and rear bumper. Off-road tires should be available, too, and there may be a few other off-road-specific elements, like brush guards, skid plates, and tow hooks.

What Platform Will It Ride On?

Mercedes-Benz Chief Operating Officer Markus Schäfer revealed last year that the new G will feature a body-on-frame chassis, just like the standard model. He said, "It’s a completely new development," and that the SUV will feature "a lot" of unique components.

The body-on-frame chassis should provide more than adequate off-road capability. It will have short overhangs but will likely be limited by its lower ride height and shorter wheelbase compared to the full-fat G-Class model.

What Will Power The Baby G-Class?

Mercedes EQG Prototype

Mercedes EQG Prototype

On the EV side, the Baby G should have an 800-volt charging capability and just north of 300 miles of range with standard all-wheel drive, obviously. Things like battery size, motor configuration, capacities, and outputs are still mysteries.

The hybrid powertrain will likely come from the CLA. The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder produces up to 188 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque and features the electric motor in the eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission.

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When Will We See It?

The Baby G is expected to debut sometime later this year, as the automaker is already testing prototypes on public roads. The car is supposed to enter production and go on sale sometime in 2027.

How Much Will The Baby G-Class Cost?

The Baby G could be half as pricey as the standard G-Class. The current G550 starts at $155,250 in the US (destination included), and the G63 starts at $196,850. Early estimates put the Baby G at $55,000 to $65,000 to start, but we wouldn’t be shocked if it were higher.

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