Mercedes EQS Review & Prices

We’ve seen plenty of sporty, expensive electric cars already — the likes of Tesla’s Model S, the Porsche Taycan, and the Audi e-tron GT to name a few — but the Mercedes-Benz EQS is the first properly luxurious electric car. It combines exceptional cabin quality and comfort with the utterly silent running you expect from an electric car.

If looks matter to you, then the EQS is pretty striking in its appearance. Unlike the new S-Class — which has a traditional three-box saloon shape — the EQS is almost arch-shaped, the roof running in one continuous line from the front wheels to the rears, and there’s almost no bonnet.

It’s also a hatchback, which makes it a little more versatile than the saloon-only S-Class, and it’s packed to the brim with impressive, cutting-edge technology. In many ways, it’s almost like a science experiment on wheels – albeit an incredibly luxurious one.

Watch: BMW i7 v Mercedes EQS range test

Not only do you get a massive battery, which gives the EQS a potential range of up to 453 miles, you also get the ‘Hyperscreen.’ This is the idea of a touchscreen pushed to its limits; a full-width screen (actually three screens under one continuous sheet of glass) that stretches from one side of the dashboard to the other. The rest of the interior is super plush, too – it’s all soft upholstery and swish metallic surfaces in here.

That’s not all, as you also get rear wheel steering, and a suspension system that not only watches the road ahead for bumps, but actually remembers where they are for later.

What the EQS is not, at least in the entry (though still rather pricey) EQS 450+ form, is especially sporty. It’s certainly not slow, but it’s not as quick as a Tesla Model S in a straight line. It’s definitely been set up more for comfort and quietness than it has for handling. The fact that it’s really heavy — 2,400kg — doesn’t help with that either.

It is quick at charging though and that’s arguably more important than how quick it goes in a straight line. In fact, if you can find a charging point that’s powerful enough, the EQS can inhale enough battery power for an extra 186 miles of driving in just 15 minutes at its maximum 200kW charging speed.

There’s also an optional 22kW on-board charging system which speeds things up when you’re charging at home, although it’ll still take a staggering 17 hours to refill the 108kW battery from completely empty when plugged into a 7kW home wallbox.

The downside to all this tech? It’s not cheap. Like, letting Kim Kardashian run riot with your credit card in Selfridges not cheap. Prices start from over £100,000 mark for the entry-spec AMG-Line version, and run on towards £120,000 for the top AMG-Line Premium Plus model, or the alternative EQS Exclusive Luxury version, at time of writing.

That’s for the single-motor, 450+ EQS. Things will get even pricier when the EQS 580 four-wheel drive, twin-motor version arrives.

Still, if you like the idea of a silent, super luxurious electric limousine that’s jam-packed with impressive technology, then you’ll love the Mercedes EQS. Check out some incredible Mercedes-Benz EQS deals at carwow. There are even a number of used examples too.

There’s no doubt you’ll be paying a hefty premium for the Mercedes badge if you’re going down the EQS route. Drivers considering vehicles in this segment might also look at the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT. Unlike the EQS, neither of those reach six figures.

What you do get with the EQS – even in the ‘base’ AMG Line models – is a whole host of safety equipment, infotainment technology and premium touches. Move up to the Luxury grade and added standard equipment includes heated steering wheel, comfort seats and bigger (22-inch vs 20-inch) alloy wheels.

Great for long motorway journeys, which feel effortless in the EQS, the big EV is less at home in town, where its size can prevent progress along tight or congested roads

In town

There is no doubt that the Mercedes EQS is a big car. At over 5.2m long, it might not be the most suitable option to take into towns and cities, but help is at hand. The EQS features rear-wheel steer, which means the rear wheels will turn up to 4.5 degrees in both directions, depending on speed (unless you pay extra, when the rotation increases to 10 degrees). Below 37mph, they’ll turn the opposite direction on the front wheels for improved low speed manoeuvrability. Go above that speed – but obviously not in town – and the rear wheels move in the same direction as the front ones for better stability.

Clearly the car benefits from a wide range of cameras and sensors, which mean that manoeuvring around car parks is slightly less daunting than it would be, although good luck staying calm when trying to keep the big Merc away from pillars. 

There is also automatic parking technology available, which means that all you have to do is find a space that’s big enough – sometimes easier said than done in such a lengthy motor – and the clever system in the EQS will do the rest. 

On the motorway

Being an electric car, the EQS is whisper quiet, with only the sound of the motors really being identifiable from within the cabin. Mercedes has put a lot of effort into stopping exterior sounds getting in, for example by adding double glazing and extra sound prevention materials in the wheel arches and pillars.

The low levels of noise can specifically be appreciated at higher speeds, for example when cruising along motorways. This improvement is important, because much of the time EQSs are likely to be running up and down main roads, where the most important people on board are probably in the rear seat, as opposed to up front driving.

On a twisty road

Out on the open road, drivers can select Sports+ mode, which feeds an ‘engine’ noise into the cabin. This setting also means stiffer suspension, an improved throttle response and more steering feel. Combined these elements are designed to provide a more sportier drive than the standard options and it does work. 

B roads are one instance where the regenerative braking in an electric vehicle might not be the best option. Many drivers would rather coast through the corners and bends to keep it balanced and there is a setting on the EQS specifically for that situation. Using this option in any car would make a difference, but when behind the wheel of something that weighs in at 2.7 tonnes, it's hugely noticeable.

Despite the size and weight, the EQS can feel sporty, which is no mean feat. Although when buyers might be choosing between this car and, say, a Porsche Taycan, the Mercedes has to be pretty special.

Mercedes has gone to great lengths to make sure the EQS ticks all the interior space and quality boxes, but it might be a bit overwhelming for some

From the moment you set foot into the EQS, it’s a bit like stepping into the future. The car features technology that can automatically open and close the door for you and there’s a great mixture of minimalism and technology laid out in front of you.

There are two different steering wheel design options – the standard one and also an AMG version, which looks a bit more sporty. There is a big centre console, which is padded and offers lots of storage space. In front of the main armrest space, there’s a wood-covered area with adjustable cupholders, USB-C ports and wireless charging capabilities. Underneath the armrest there is a large box with more wireless charging options and USB ports.

Basically, when travelling in an EQS, you shouldn’t ever run out of space. As well as the storage described above, there’s also a carefully crafted floor space that can accommodate bags – and also a sizeable glovebox. The door bins are wide and big enough for large bottles.

Seat and mirror adjustment controls are responsive and intuitive and, because they are both electric, enable minor adjustments to be made if needed. As you might expect, there is a feel of luxury – probably because Mercedes is trying to not only win business from other brands, but also getting existing customers out of S-Classes. A good example of the lengths it has gone to is the headrest ‘pillows’ that are used for an extra layer of comfort for all occupants.

Space in the back seats

There is – as you would expect from a luxury saloon – lots of knee room and head room. Above the passenger’s heads there is also a panoramic sunroof, which allows plenty of light in, adding to the welcoming environment in the rear of the car.

Fold down the centre armrest and there’s more storage, and also a pad that allows rear passengers to control rear temperature and use the infotainment system. There’s the option of adding extra entertainment, with rear screens that are mounted on the back of the driver and front passenger’s seats.

Overall, it’s a comfortable place to be, thanks largely to the standard air suspension and technology that remembers where bumps and lumps in the road are if it has been over them before. It will then adjust the suspension accordingly. Or, when approaching a driveway, it will raise the suspension to allow the car to get up the ramp more easily.

Boot space

One of the biggest differences between the EQS and the S-Class is the EV’s hatchback tailgate, which brings added practicality. While the boot space doesn’t vary much between the two big Mercs, in terms of loading, there is a big difference. 

Elsewhere in the boot there is space under the floor for charging cables or any other items you might want to store securely. There are also electrically operated rear seat releases to open up even more loading space. 

It might not be the kind of car you would load up and take to the local tip, but when boot space is needed – multiple suitcases packed on the way to the airport, maybe – there is more than enough. The lack of a front boot, or froot, seems like a bit of a missed opportunity, but due to the copious amounts of room elsewhere, it’s less of an issue than it could be.

The EQS boasts more options, menus and functions than in possibly any other car on the market, but it might be too much for some drivers who just want a bit of simplicity. There might be many that owners never use, but the ones they do discover will no doubt become invaluable as time goes on

From the driver’s seat in the EQS you are faced with a huge bank of screens, but also plenty of space and – importantly, says Mercedes – man-made materials. What might look and feel like suede and leather are natural materials that feel high quality.

The EQS boasts what Mercedes is calling the ‘Hyperscreen’. It’s essentially three large screens behind one piece of glass that stretches over the width of the dashboard. 

The main screen in the centre employs the functionality and features that you would expect to see in any of the other Mercedes high-end products. However, as the EQS is an electric car, there are EV-friendly options that record and display charge levels, advise on charging points and show the current range and power details.

Many functions are touchscreen only, which might not be as good as having physical buttons, but the Mercedes system works really well and is very intuitive. There are also some clever – some might say unnecessary – touches such as flashes of colour when the temperature shifts up or down. In other colour news, there are a total of 190 different combinations to choose from for the ultimate personalisation of your EQS’ interior.

The driver’s display is also intuitive and makes accessing all the information you would need very easy. Steering wheel-mounted buttons and scrolling wheels are used to bring up the desired information, which are more effective than some components used in smaller or more cheaper models. 

The head-up display from the Mercedes S-Class has been carried over into the EQS, which makes navigation especially that bit easier and ensures you’ll never make a wrong turn again…

Finally, there’s the third screen – which can only be operated when there’s someone in the passenger seat. It offers a similar range of functions and menus as the central screen, only this time, they are for the benefit of the passenger, not the driver. For safety, if the driver starts concentrating too much on the screen it will automatically dim, so they are forced to focus on driving the actual car. 

In addition, the third screen has its own ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice control technology, so each front passenger can shout different commands to their own personal assistant. However, that innovation – while useful in many respects – does have a habit of interrupting if anyone says ‘Mercedes’, whether you want any help with anything or not.

Those in the market for an EQS have a few options. There’s the 450+ which has one electric motor in the rear with 330bhp available. Meanwhile there’s the EQS 580, with dual motors – one at the front and the other at the back of the car – and 523hp. Despite it being a big – and heavy – car, the EQS can power to 60mph from a standstill in under four seconds, which might not be as quick as the fastest Telsa, but is still ample, considering what the vehicle is typically designed for.  

However, there are ‘beginner’ and ‘valet’ modes available, which limit the top speed and disable all of your customised settings, respectively. The latter option is particularly useful as the EQS can be set up to recognise the driver when they enter and subsequently set everything up to their own personalised requirements. 

During real world testing with the 450+, spending most of our time on the motorway, we achieved 324 miles from a battery, which is equivalent to 72% of its claimed range. The EQS recorded efficiency of 3.2miles/kWh during the test, which is about average among its competitors.

Charging the EQS can be done at anything up to a 200kW charger. Using one of those units will add 186 miles of range in 15 minutes. The Mercedes is fitted with an 11kW charger, which means replenishing the batteries would typically take around 10 hours. However, there is an option to upgrade to a 22kW charger, which takes half the time. 

Using a standard 7kW wallbox charger, however, is a bit of a mission and takes up to 17 hours to fill up the battery from completely empty. And, while you might be saving money on fuel, the EQS is not a cheap car, with prices starting north of £100,000.

As you might expect with Mercedes’ flagship electric model, the EQS bagged a maximum five stars when tested at Euro NCAP. Adult occupant (96%) and child occupant protection (91%) stood out specifically when it underwent analysis.

While there are no rear or front passenger knee airbags, elsewhere it’s pretty much a full house of frontal protection. Likewise for lateral crashes, there is plenty of protection, the only area missing is side pelvic airbags. 

Other safety systems of note on the car include an active bonnet – which raises up when it detects an impact is looming and limits injuries – autonomous emergency braking when the EQS senses pedestrians or other vehicles.

There have been reports of Mercedes in the US having to recall the EQS for various issues, but these problems haven’t been seen in the UK. The brand has had mixed results in some reliability surveys but its’ reputation has improved in recent years and looks to now be heading in the right direction. 

However, the sheer amount of technology onboard could be seen as the potential for more to go wrong with an EQS. But drivers should take comfort from the car’s three-year/unlimited mileage warranty and cover for the battery, which extends to eight years/100,000 miles.