21:06 24-02-2026

Mercedes-Benz Little G: a new compact SUV with electric and hybrid versions

Mercedes-Benz plans to launch the Little G compact SUV by 2027, offering both electric and internal combustion engines. It targets rivals like Toyota Land Cruiser and Ford Bronco.

Mercedes-Benz is planning a radical expansion of its G-Class lineup. By 2027, the range will include a compact SUV dubbed the "Little G"—a new entry point to the brand aimed at competing with upcoming models like the Toyota Land Cruiser FJ, the Ford Bronco for Europe, and the JLR Defender Sport. Initially conceived as an electric vehicle, the project has shifted strategy due to sluggish sales of the G-Class EV. Now, the model will be offered with both internal combustion engines and as an EV.

The hybrid version will feature a familiar 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with electric assistance, developed by Mercedes and produced by the joint venture Horse Powertrain in China. In the CLA, this engine delivers up to 188 horsepower, and similar performance is expected here. The electric variant will be dual-motor, with one motor on the front axle and a more powerful one on the rear. An anticipated 85 kWh battery should provide up to 720 km of range under the European WLTP cycle.

Both versions will be exclusively all-wheel drive with enhanced traction control, including torque vectoring, to match the capabilities of the larger G-Class.

The model is being built on a new ladder-frame architecture, a rarity in the compact segment. Length will reach around 4.4 meters, making the Little G notably shorter and more compact than the flagship while retaining key styling cues: round headlights, a boxy body, three large side windows, and an external spare tire.

The electric version is slated to launch first, with the ICE variant to follow later—specific timing has not yet been announced.

The introduction of the Little G marks a strategic move: Mercedes is effectively creating its own segment of "premium compact ladder-frame EV/HEV SUVs," which currently has no direct rivals from Land Rover or Toyota. While the standard G-Class has long been a status symbol with a price tag well over $150,000, the junior model will allow the brand to capture customers drawn to the Bronco and Defender, thanks to its accessibility and utilitarian philosophy. This "bridge" between mass-market and ultra-premium SUVs is what Mercedes aims to build ahead of competitors.