After a sluggish — and reluctant — entry into the rising marketplace for battery-electric automobiles, Mercedes-Benz is decided to carve out its place within the luxurious EV section. Since introducing its first long-range mannequin, the EQS sedan, in late 2021 it’s quickly rising the household of devoted EQ-badged choices.
That consists of an SUV model of the flagship EQS nameplate which is rolling off Mercedes’ large meeting line in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Not surprisingly, the EQS SUV has a lot in widespread with the sedan, together with the German marque’s underlying Electric Vehicle Architecture. It additionally adopts the distinctive “one-bow” design language — although, in SUV type, it’s a bit taller and little much less radical wanting.
And that’s a very good factor, as I discovered after spending every week behind the wheel of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
Overview
Where the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan serves because the all-electric equal of the German model’s four-door flagship, the S-Class, the EQS SUV is the battery-powered various to the massive Mercedes GLS.
The two EVs have a lot in widespread, however there’s one key distinction. The SUV’s increased roofline, I discovered, makes it all of the extra compelling by bettering the second row’s headroom. The addition of a 3rd row is a bonus.
As with the sedan, the EQS SUV affords a alternative of electrified powertrains, from the bottom 450+, with its single rear-mounted motor, to the extra highly effective, twin-motor 580 4Matic. As I found on the highway, all three ship the distinctive launch really feel that solely electrical motors can present. And, regardless of their measurement and mass — even the bottom mannequin weighing in at round three tons — they proved surprisingly nimble and enjoyable to drive.
Of course, the EQS SUV line additionally delivers the form of creature comforts and refined supplies and options you’d count on of a luxurious automobile beginning at over $105,000 — together with supply charges however earlier than factoring in choices.
Exterior
We’ve begun shifting away from the times when EVs needed to appear to be they rolled off the set of a sci-fi flick. That stated, automakers have discovered, in terms of battery energy, aerodynamics trump all. Wind-cheating designs translate into marked enchancment in terms of vary, in addition to efficiency.
While Mercedes caught with a comparatively typical form for its compact EQB crossover, it has gone with a much more radical look with the EQS mannequin. The “one-bow” design language adopts what’s, basically, a single curve flowing over the roof, from bumper to bumper. The payoff with the sedan is a near-record drag coefficient of 0.20, the bottom variety of any car now in manufacturing. As one would possibly count on, the EQS SUV strikes a steadiness. A one-bow curve rises off the nostril, although the roofline turns into a bit extra typical, tapering right into a high-mounted spoiler and steeply raked tailgate.
Like most new EVs, there’s no have to power air underneath the hood, so the normal grille has been changed by a strong fascia, patrons given a alternative of a easy black panel or one highlighted by dozens of small, backlit Mercedes tri-stars. There are small air intakes under the bumper bringing cooling air to the EQS electrical drive system mounted under the load ground. Every exterior element has been customary within the wind tunnel — together with flush door handles that come out solely whenever you’re able to enter the massive sedan.
Interior
The EQS SUV cabin hews intently to the structure of the unique electrical sedan. That begins with the bottom, two-screen instrument and infotainment system, in addition to the Hyperscreen improve with its mixed 56 inches of digital shows. There’s no escaping it, in need of closing your eyes, even in the event you’re driving within the entrance passenger seat. For those that need nonetheless extra screens, you’ll be able to outfit your EQS with a big head-up show that gives an augmented actuality, or VR, projection of arrows, seemingly floating off within the distance, to assist level out your path when utilizing onboard navigation.
Once you get previous the Hyperscreen’s sheer, visible dominance you uncover extra basic Mercedes particulars worthy of a GLS various. The acquainted, turbine-style air vents are relegated to the corners of the IP, with skinny horizontal louvers doing many of the work of local weather management system.
My favourite characteristic of the EQS SUV needs to be the pillows constructed into its headrests. The diamond-stitched seats within the 580 4Matic are plush and comfy, even after a protracted day of driving. And they’re supportive sufficient to maintain you in place whenever you mash the throttle and really feel the sedan’s on the spot torque. There’s additionally a “wellness” system that may sometimes modify the seat to scale back fatigue.
With no driveshaft tunnel, Mercedes designers discovered additional area to play with, arising with a floating, two-level middle console offering loads of additional space for storing.
There are a couple of key variations between EQS sedan and SUV. The one-bow design does have its drawbacks, particularly with the four-door, because it cramps rear seat headroom. That’s much less so with the massive ute, because of the taller roofline. There’s loads of room within the second row — although the ability split-fold third row does fall into the “penalty box” class for anybody out of their early teenagers. Storage is sort of ample, particularly if that again bench is folded down.
As with the EQS sedan, my largest criticism is the best way the digital gauge cluster is positioned. It tends to get minimize off by the steering wheel. As with the sedan, I discovered myself having to strike a compromise between the place the wheel felt most comfy and the place it was best to learn the instrumentation.
Powertrain
Three totally different variations of the EQS are actually accessible, beginning with the single-motor EQS 450+. Mounted on the rear axle, the drivetrain produces 355 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level various is the EQD 450 4Matic which mounts a second motor on the entrance axle. While its pony rely is similar because the 450+, the 4Matic jumps as much as a mixed 590 horsepower utilizing an electrical model of the Mercedes 4Matic all-wheel-drive system.
For these demanding critical energy, there’s the twin-motor EQS 580 4Matic SUV that hammers out 536 ponies and 633 lb-ft. It can hit 60 in a mere 4.5 seconds, a full 2 seconds quicker than the “base” 450+.
All variations of the EQS SUV are powered up by a 108.4 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. With the 450+ it’s going to ship an EPA-rated 305 miles between prices. Surprisingly, the 450 4Matic and extra highly effective 580 4Matic have earned the identical 285-mile score. By comparability, the lighter and extra aerodynamic EQS sedan can yield as much as 350 miles per cost, relying on the bundle.
Current variations of the Mercedes Electric Vehicle Architecture use a 400-electrical system. Expect to see the German automaker migrate to a extra superior, 800-volt system over the subsequent a number of years. It’s extra pricey however affords a number of benefits, beginning with faster charging. That stated, you’ll be able to nonetheless plug right into a public charger delivering a minimum of 200 kilowatts of juice and leap from a ten% to 80% state-of-charge in 31 minutes underneath best circumstances. Plug a totally drained battery right into a 240-volt, 32-amp dwelling charger and also you’ll want 12.5 hours to get to 100%.
As with all battery-electric fashions, Mercedes makes use of brake regeneration to maximise vary when you’re on the highway. It recovers vitality usually misplaced throughout braking and coasting, sending it again to the battery. Using paddle shifters on the steering wheel, a motorist can modify the extent of regen.
Unfortunately, Mercedes doesn’t permit for essentially the most aggressive type of regen generally known as 1-Pedal Mode. It’s like downshifting a handbook transmission a number of gears, permitting you to hurry up or decelerate — even come to a cease — just by modulating the throttle. I’d wish to see it add that characteristic in some unspecified time in the future. Another criticism: all EQS fashions default to a much less aggressive regen mode every time you shut the automobile off.
Safety and Technology
As you’d count on of a brand new Mercedes, the EQS SUV is loaded with high-tech options. Visually essentially the most dramatic, the Hyperscreen is optionally available however has confirmed to be extraordinarily common with these shopping for the unique EQS sedan. The system locations separate giant digital gauge and infotainment shows, together with a smaller display for the entrance passenger, behind a sheet of darkened glass stretching from pillar to pillar. The commonplace bundle comes with twin screens.
The infotainment system depends on the MBUX working system, an Amazon Alexa-style voice assistant that may management just about all automobile features and even reply to different queries, like climate. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are commonplace. So is a wi-fi smartphone charger, in addition to loads of USB ports.
The 580 4Matic comes with an assortment of tech options optionally available on different trim packages. That features a “wellness” system that may alternately “energize or calm you down with music, ambient lighting, massaging seats and even a scent diffuser.
The SUVs additionally provide two “soundscapes” that may be activated to present you synthetic audio meant as a form of various to a standard engine exhaust word. And, talking of sound, the optionally available Burmester audio system makes use of Dolby Atmos to create a three-dimensional soundstage.
There’s a protracted record of superior driver help applied sciences, together with ones that each one however allow you to take palms off the wheel when cruising the freeway. And on fashions with a head-up show, the built-in navigation system makes use of augmented actuality to undertaking a set of arrows seemingly 20 ft forward of the automobile to sign when and the place to make a flip.
Driving Impressions
I had my first, albeit temporary, alternative to drive the Mercedes EQS SUV final September throughout a media occasion in Denver. That offered the prospect to place the crossover by way of its paces on quite a lot of totally different, and infrequently difficult, roads. My week behind the wheel was spent in Michigan, the place I clearly didn’t have any mountain passes to deal with. Nonetheless, with entry to my favourite route by way of the quaint village of Hell, I nonetheless had methods to push the electrical SUV arduous.
A little bit of background: out in Colorado I began out with the 450+ mannequin. Even on this base configuration it’s a hefty beast, weighing in at 5,963 kilos. Yet it proved surprisingly fast off the road, launching to 60 in simply 6.5 seconds. Credit the truth that electrical motors ship most torque the second they begin spinning.
Back in Michigan, I spent the week behind the wheel of the even beefier, 6,228 EQS 580 4Matic. And the added horsepower and torque instantly got here into play, slicing launch occasions right down to a factory-rated 4.5 seconds. Impressive sufficient, however the energy turned much more apparent executing high-speed passes out on the Interstate.
Blasting alongside my route in and round Hell was an actual eye-opener. The EQS responded admirably as I started to flog it round tight corners, the steering proving each responsive and predictable. There was solely a modicum of physique roll. For that, credit score the SUV’s commonplace Airmatic air suspension and adaptive damping system. There’s additionally the low mounting place of the battery pack which drops the middle of gravity a number of inches when in comparison with a GLS crossover. The EQS SUV additionally boasts a close to 50:50 weight distribution.
The lack of a real 1-Pedal mode was a disappointment, although one most drivers seemingly received’t discover, particularly these new to EVs. But I’d actually respect Mercedes including it utilizing the SUV’s over-the-air replace capabilities. Personally, I wouldn’t purchase an EV that didn’t provide 1-Pedal driving – which lets you pace up or sluggish, even cease, just by modulating the throttle. Under most circumstances you don’t have to leap forwards and backwards from throttle to brake.
To wrap up my overview I’ve to refer again to my temporary drive in Colorado. About 90 minutes exterior Denver I had the chance to take the massive SUV out on some again trails. That specific mannequin was outfitted with the optionally available off-road bundle which made surprisingly simple work of traversing unfastened soil, steep, rubble strewn hills, moguls and sharp turns.
At almost 202 inches, nose-to-tail, with a 126.4-inch wheelbase, it ought to have been troublesome to maneuver an SUV just like the EQS by way of deep woods. But that’s the place the rear-wheel-steering system proved its value. With the inventory EQS 580, the EV’s again tires to show as much as 4.5 levels, although that jumps to 10 with the off-road bundle — or with an optionally available, over-the-air improve.
At low speeds, the rear wheels flip counter to the entrance, leading to a tighter turning radius. At increased speeds, they flip in sync with the entrance tires, one more reason why the EQS 580 4Matic proved surprisingly nimble on the highway.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 SUV Specifications
Dimension | L: 201.8 inches/W: 77.1 inches/H: 67.8 inches/Wheelbase: 126.4 inches |
Weight | 6,228 kilos |
Powertrain | Front and Rear Axle Permanently Excited Synchronous Motor with 400 kW Output |
Fuel Economy | 79 MPGe metropolis/74 MPGe freeway/77 MPGe mixed |
Performance Specs | 536 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque |
Price | As examined: $125,590, plus $1,150 vacation spot and supply payment |
On-Sale Date | This fall 2022 |
Wrap Up
After clocking my second run behind the wheel of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV I discover it a fairly spectacular bundle. And whereas I lament the truth that so many patrons have walked away from sedans in recent times, there are many explanation why the EQS SUV is a greater bundle than the four-door model of the EV. The most blatant is that its increased roofline resolves the sedan’s rear headroom drawback — whereas offering area for a 3rd row, as properly.
And, with three totally different trim ranges, patrons can discover the bundle that completely matches them. The EQS SUV received’t come low cost, nevertheless. The single-motor EQS 450+ at a base $105,650. You’ll pay one other $3,000 for the all-wheel-drive model. The twin-motor EQS 580 4Matic jumps to $124,200 earlier than choices. Those costs embrace $1,150 in supply charges.
All variations of the 2023 Mercedes EQS are produced on the automaker’s Alabama meeting plant. Unfortunately, patrons received’t qualify for tax incentives underneath the brand new Inflation Reduction Act resulting from the price of the electrical SUV which exceeds the $85,000 value cap. But for the form of patrons on the lookout for an all-electric GLS various, that’s not prone to make a lot of a distinction.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mercedes-Benz EQS equal to?
Where the EQS sedan serves because the all-electric counterpart to Mercedes’ acquainted S-Class flagship sedan, the EQS SUV does a lot the identical factor within the sport-utility section. It’s basically a battery-powered various to the Mercedes GLS.
How a lot does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV price?
There are a number of totally different variations of the electrical crossover, beginning with the single-motor EQS 450+ at a base $105,650. You’ll pay one other $3,000 for the all-wheel-drive model. The twin-motor EQS 580 4Matic jumps to $124,200 earlier than choices. Those costs embrace $1,150 in supply charges.
What is the vary of the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV?
In its single-motor type, the EQS 450+ will get an EPA score of 305 miles per cost. The all-wheel-drive EQS 580 4Matic is rated at 285 miles earlier than needing to plug again in.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com