8 Things The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen Has That I Hope The “Baby G” Has (And 2 I Fear It Won’t)A Girls Guide to CarsSara LaceyThu, September 17, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTCAdd us on GoogleSara LaceyThe baby G-Wagen isn't coming out until next year, but after driving the grown-up G-580, here's what I hope the baby inherits (and some things I doubt it will).I was able to test the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 last fall, and loved it in all its complexities and contradictions. In 2023, Mercedes-Benz announced it's going to produce a smaller version of the G-class classic, literally nicknamed the Baby G-Wagen—and I can't help but hope the following ten things will be passed down to the new model.Mercedes-Benz has referred to this new model as the "Little G," but I like to call it the Baby G because it's more fun to say out loud.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut be warned, official information is scant and much of what has been said about the Baby G is vague. This riddle-wrapped-in-a-mystery-wrapped-in-an-enigma vehicle is a car girl's version of Taylor Swift's easter eggs. Here are my hopes for her next album—I mean hopes for things the G-Class has that will be passed down to its reportedly compact sibling. And I threw in two things I'm pretty sure it won't have.This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.What Do We Know About the Baby G?What we do know from official sources is purposefully scarceThe information that is out there is deliberately scant. It's to feed the hype and create a whirlpool of guesses and AI-generated images of what high-reader outlets think it's going to look like, with folks making assumptions about powertrains, horsepower, range, and price.What we do know from Mercedes-Benz, and not the wide array of dealerships using ChatGPT images of a smaller G-Wagen next to a full-sized one, is this:AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's marketed to be "more accessible," which is a fancier word for "affordable," though that remains to be seen.It will absolutely maintain the G-Class's boxy silhouette, upright windshield and round headlightsWill be built with a ladder-frame for off-road durability, just like its big sister.Will offer both a mild-hybrid and an all-electric version, according to an interview with MotorTrend.It has not been confirmed to be available in the USPricing is unknownProduction is scheduled for 2027That's it. Leaving the finer details, like range, horsepower, and price, up to the imagination. Based on what we know about the G 580, though, I'm sure she'll hit a home run. Now, here's what I hope it takes away from the family's potent gene pool.1. The Exact Same Styling: Seriously, Don't Change a ThingNo notes neededI hate to compare the ultra-luxe G-Wagen to the Jeep Wrangler, but they do share a common theme: both have carefully maintained their militaristic, utilitarian designs for decades. The G-Wagen's design isn't as old as the Wrangler's, but it's just as iconic, and it's been a boxy, round-headlight-having off-roader since it debuted in 1979.Even though G-Wagens aren't used in the military anymore, they're still built with flat panels, sharp angles, exposed hinges, and the rear-mounted spare tire. And, on a nerdy note, the turn signals on the front fenders above the headlights are still there.AdvertisementAdvertisementThese are the stylistic choices from its legacy that I hope are translated over to the Baby G. I mean, it's part of a legendary pedigree, so it should bear a striking resemblance. It's what we all want.2. Off-Road Capability is a Must for the Baby GThe 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 doing a 360-degree kick turn off-roadIn a quote from the European publication Autocar, MB COO Markus Schäfer said the smaller version of the G-Class "will be based on a unique architecture to be 'as authentic as possible.'" The G-Class is largely hand-built, and a smaller version would require a very different strategy.As of now, Mercedes-Benz has said that the Baby G will be built in the same factory as the CLA, but at the same time, said the Little G will not be based on the new CLA. Because the Baby G will have a ladder-frame chassis, I bet that it will still get you to most places a Baby G owner would want to go.3. I Hope It Can Come With More PowertrainsFrom a turbo four with a mild-hybrid assist, a honkin' V8, or a torquey EV, I want to see it allToday, you can get a G-Wagen in a few different flavors: either with a powerful, throaty twin-turbo V8 in the AMG version, a turbocharged inline 6 with a mild-hybrid assist in the G 550, or as a 579-horsepower EV as the G 580. As of right now, it's confirmed that it'll have a smaller, mild-hybrid setup and an all-electric version, but no word has been spoken about whether or not it'll have a V8 or that nicely balanced inline 6 motor. Though if the goal is to keep the costs down, it likely won't.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhat we do know, though, is that plans to keep it EV-only have changed because the electric version isn't as popular. In fact, Automotive News confirmed in a May article that U.S. dealerships played a major role in convincing Mercedes-Benz to add a gas engine to the Baby G. Odds are that an electric version will arrive first, and the mild-hybrid option will show up later. Maybe, just maybe, we'll see an AMG version.4. The Same Mechanical Door Handle LatchThe rear door handle on the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580This is going to make me sound like a psycho, but you have to believe me that the feel of the door handle when you press the latch button to open the door is heavenly. It's a metal-on-metal clunk that is extremely satisfying. It really announces that you can expect luxury and craftsmanship in the G-Class. Though Markus Schäfer said that he couldn't just take the same handle from the G-Class and put it on the Baby G, he did not say it couldn't be equally spectacular.5. Pared-Down Steering Wheel ControlsThe steering wheel of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580Look, I get it. You gotta have all those buttons to have access to the menus in the driver information system and in the multimedia system, especially as an EV. But it's just… It's a lot sometimes, and I sometimes find myself a victim of screen fatigue. I adapted, but maybe it could be kept a little simpler? I'm fairly hopeful about this one, since the mission is to keep costs to "accessible" levels.7. A Delicate Balance of Buttons and KnobsThe current model is delicately balancedToday, a lot of luxury automakers, including several Mercedes-Benz models, thinks shoppers find luxury synonymous with touchscreens. With a G-Wagen, a brute of an off-roader, that couldn't be further from the truth. Thankfully, G-Class engineers and designers know this, and have fitted the current model with a near-perfect balance of screens and tactile buttons and knobs.AdvertisementAdvertisementI'm not usually a fan of copy-paste interior jobs, but I'd make an exception if Mercedes-Benz pasted the interior design and layout of the full-sized G-Wagen into Ms. Baby G. Give me my physical buttons for cameras, air conditioning, and physical air-vents, please.8. Speaking of Interior… Please Don't Skimp On the Premium Interior, MBBeing an off-roader doesn't mean it needs an ugly interiorEvery surface of the G-Wagen's interior was covered in a material that looked and felt premium. The window buttons have a unique shape to them and a heft when pressed or pulled. The cupholders had a firm and steady grip on my beverages. The grab bar on the passenger side was sturdy and also had carbon-fiber trim. The seats were supportive, even (especially) on long drives.Yes, it may come from a long line of militaristic hard-hitters, but it didn't drive or look like one. I hope to see the same attention to detail and craftsmanship in the Baby G.I Fear We Won't See a Clamshell Rear HatchI'd love to see this on the Baby G, but I'm worried it won't carry overThis is my favorite style of rear hatch, and this is an out-of-the-blue hope since Mercedes-Benz doesn't make them. Though the liftgate that swings open to the side is part of the iconic design of the G-Class, a clamshell would be so amazing on its smaller counterpart.AdvertisementAdvertisementGood for parking and unloading groceries and gear in smaller quarters, the clamshell is also awesome for tailgating and for setting things down while getting situated. Consider this my formal request, Mercedes-Benz.Please Don't Take Away the 360-Degree Kick TurnIt's such a fun featureIt's unlikely that an electric Baby G will have a motor on each wheel, enabling the famed G-Turn trick, since, you know, it's supposed to be the more affordable option. And, if you didn't know, it's more than just a cool-looking gimmick. If you ever found yourself in a tight spot while off-roading, the G-Turn is designed to literally make the large SUV turn on a dime, and therefore, get you out of said tight spot.I will be absolutely amazed if that feature is carried over, but I won't get my hopes up. When we do finally learn more, I'll be excited to get behind the wheel of one.Related Headlines2026 Jeep Recon EV First Drive: The Most Sophisticated Jeep Ever Is a Delightful Pod of Clever FunThe 2026 Audi Q3 S Line Quattro Blends German Precision With Southern CharmSupercar Blondie on Supercars, Her First Car and Showing Up So Others Will, TooAdvertisementAdvertisementRead more at A Girls Guide to Cars