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The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is a luxury seven-seater loaded with the latest technology and offering an electric driving range of up to 364 miles.
Mercedes was late to the electric car party but in a relatively short space of time the brand has brought us the EQA, EQB, EQC, EQE, EQS and EQV. Now we have the EQE SUV and the EQS SUV; both are big, spacious cars but the key difference between the two of them is that the EQS SUV is a seven-seater.
The Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS saloons look quite similar, and the EQE SUV and EQS SUV bear a close resemblance to each other, as well as to the saloons, but the SUVs are bigger (the EQS SUV measures 5,125mm in length). However a key difference compared to the EQE SUV is that the EQS SUV features seven seats and so it will be more practical for many people. The EQS SUV also steps up the level of luxury and technology.
Apart from the seven seats, the big news in the interior of the Business Class model, as tested, is the huge ‘Hyperscreen’ that stretches across the entire dashboard (with the ‘Ship’s deck open-pore Norway maple wood’ interior trim). There’s also the MBUX high-end rear seat entertainment system with TV receiver and screens behind the driver’s and front passenger’s headrests, and an MBUX rear tablet between the rear seats.
Even with three rows of seats, there’s lots of legroom for occupants of the second row of seats, helped by a flat floor.
The boot capacity of the EQS SUV is 245 litres with all three rows of seats in place, 1,030 litres with two rows of seats in place, and 2,020 litres with both sets of rear seats folded (based on being loaded to the roof). The second row of seats can be lowered electrically using buttons in the boot, but to lower the third row of seats you need to pull up two plastic levers on the top of the seats, which don’t feel particularly robust. Because of the seven-seat layout, there’s no space for a compartment under the boot floor to store the charging cables.
It’s probably best not to carry muddy dogs (or muddy children) in the EQS SUV if you choose the light ‘Macchiato Beige’ interior colour of our test car.
Under the skin of the EQS SUV sits a 108.4 kWh battery (usable capacity), although this is being upgraded to a larger 118 kWh battery for 2024. Electric motors producing 360 hp of power deliver all-wheel drive.
The EQS SUV has a towing capacity of 1,800 kg.
Climb into the EQS SUV and the first things you’re likely to notice are the seemingly very large steering wheel and the huge screen that stretches all the way across the dashboard. Unlike the EQE SUV, the driver’s instrument display is less obscured by the rim of the steering wheel.
Select a gear using the traditional Mercedes stalk on the right-hand side of the steering column and you’re off, with well-cushioned ride quality delivered by AIRMATIC air suspension with an integrated adaptive damping system. The EQS SUV is comfortable to drive, although the car did get a bit bouncy on occasions.
One difference between the EQS SUV and the recently-tested EQE SUV is the tyres; the EQE SUV had very low profile tyres which killed the ride quality on roads with poor quality surfaces (ie. every road in South Manchester). The EQS SUV, despite having 21-inch alloy wheels, had higher profile tyres which ensured the secondary ride quality was better.
The EQS SUV is all-wheel drive so grip levels are good, but we’re not going to talk about handling because the EQS SUV weighs 2,805 kg – yes, that’s almost three tonnes. What we can say is that the car is more manoeuvrable than it should be for its size, thanks to rear-axle steering (up to 10 degrees) and lots of assistance at low speeds from the electrical power steering.
With 360 hp of power, and a huge 800 Nm of torque, performance is good for a car weighing almost three tonnes, with a 0-62 mph time of 6.0 seconds, and you even get a virtual engine noise when you accelerate. However you can feel the weight when braking. There are three drive modes, Eco, Comfort and Sport.
The dashboard’s huge screen is impressive, but it’s also quite overwhelming in terms of information. The map shows lots of details such as buildings in city centres, which can be too much of a distraction when you’re trying to follow the satnav. And when you’re at a junction, a view from the camera usually pops up and obliterates the view of the map. Even trying to select the radio isn’t straightforward, as you have to press the home button first, as there are no permanent shortcut buttons.
When you get out of the EQS SUV the car will make a subtle futuristic noise until you lock it.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC SUV Business Class has a WLTP combined electric driving range of 362-364 miles (the 2024 model is due to have an even larger battery). In real-world driving the range was averaging at 309 miles, and the car was predicting that it could achieve a maximum of 352 miles.
The EQS SUV has a maximum DC ultra-rapid charging rate of 200 kW, which should translate to a time of 31 minutes for a 10% to 80% charge.
The onboard 22 kW AC charger should provide a 10% to 100% charge in 5 hours 30 minutes.
The EQS SUV’s charging socket cover doesn’t appear to want to open easily, which seems to be an issue shared with other Mercedes EVs.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is available from £129,470; our EQS 450 4MATIC SUV Business Class test car was priced at £144,490 – so it’s hardly an affordable EV.
Business Class specification includes equipment such as augmented reality head-up display, Hyperscreen package, MBUX high-end rear seat entertainment system & TV receiver, MBUX interior assistant (front and rear), MBUX rear tablet, rear seat comfort package, ENERGIZING package plus, and multi-contour seats with energising massage function.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is also available in AMG Line Premium Plus specification.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is an impressive package, laden with luxury and technology, and it offers lots of space, with seven seats, so it’s also practical. The EQS SUV is comfortable to drive, with strong performance, and it has a long driving range. However, with a kerb weight of 2,805 kg, it’s heavy, and the price tag of £144,490 can’t be described as affordable. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is awarded a Green Car Guide rating of 8 out of 10.
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