Test: Mercedes-Benz EQS

Under the floor of the EQS you will find a large battery pack and the electric motors between the wheels. Mercedes gives the same capacity of 108 kWh for both variants of the EQS. According to the manufacturer, the potent EQS 580 will reach a maximum distance of 652 kilometers, while you should be able to cover no less than 731 km with the 450+. For this test we drive the EQS 580.

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Although the Tesla sprint times of just over two seconds from zero to one hundred km/h are not included, it does not appear to be a loss in daily practice. At highway and off-road pace, we generally just want to roll out when we lift the accelerator pedal, and in built-up areas and in traffic jams it’s nice when more is recuperated and you don’t have to use the brake pedal. With the Mercedes you control the intensity with which you brake on the engine directly on demand with the paddles on the steering wheel. With the Mercedes, a full battery gives us a range of 465 kilometers. Extrapolated for the EQS 450+, this means that in practice you have enough on board for 520 kilometers. We’re the first to admit that we just went with the flow and didn’t touch the power pedal overly silky smooth. If you do your best, you can certainly go further. To put everything in perspective: during the large range test of (AutoWeek 12, 2020) we registered a real driving range of 500 kilometers with the Tesla Model S Long Range. Mercedes has therefore clearly succeeded in responding to Tesla. To provide the battery with fresh power as quickly as possible, you’re fine with the EQS. On the DC fast charger, it peaks at 200 kW. On the regular AC charging station, the Benz works with 11 kW as standard. For perspective: a Porsche Taycan can charge 270 kW DC and the fast charging networks such as those of FastNed and Ionity can already handle cars with 350 kW.

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Both versions of the EQS always have air suspension with adaptive dampers and four-wheel steering as standard. As standard, the rear wheels can steer a maximum of 4.5 degrees, for an additional fee of €1,573, this is also possible with a maximum of 10 degrees. This is a software option, the hardware is the same in both cases. The chassis of the EQS is closely related to that of the S-class and there is nothing to complain about. It is wonderfully comfortable, you almost float in your bubble over the asphalt. And yet, when it comes down to it, everything is under control. When you dive into a bend just too quickly, it turns out that the chassis is completely in place and then there is more reserve in it than initially thought.
Although the EQS is the electric counterpart of the S-class, it distinguishes itself externally as a five-door liftback, instead of the usual four-door sedan. The large dimensions give you a lot of interior space. Or at least up front. You have more than enough elbow room behind the wheel in all directions. And the seats are nothing short of exquisite.

The use of materials and finish are of a high standard. The center console, finished with wood like a ship’s deck, continues into the dashboard, which in our case consists of the MBUX Hyperscreen. It is in fact a sheet of glass that extends over the entire interior width. In practice, this intimidatingly large screen consists of three parts. From left to right, these are the instrumentation, the central infotainment screen and a multimedia display for the passenger. The essential functions can be operated either with the push of a physical button or after one step in the digital system. You can also surf the various screens with your hands on the wheel; you control everything with the mini-touchpads to the left and right of the airbag. Mercedes shows that progress can certainly be an improvement.

Handy storage space
The luggage compartment should not remain unnamed: under the floor of the 610-litre Mercedes trunk is a handy storage space for your charging cable. It prevents you from having to put a dirty and/or wet cable between your clean luggage. If you want to transport more stuff, you can tow a trailer with a maximum weight of 750 kg with the EQS. That’s what you’ll have to do. The EQS does not offer extra luggage space at the front, just like the Teslas, the Porsche Taycan or Audi RS E-tron GT: the hood is stuck. Windscreen washer fluid is topped up at the EQS using a fold-out spout in the left front fender. And changing a light bulb quickly becomes a challenge.
Mercedes gives you complete freedom to dress and rigg the car as you see fit. Is it necessary? When it comes to safety or comfort-enhancing systems, Mercedes is at the forefront. Your standard lacks little. The EQS 450+ is in the price list from €118,000 and is therefore certainly not a budget price packer, but the last known starting price of the Model S Long Range is not very far below that at €104,990. The price tag of the EQS 580 starts at €154,949.