Tried the Mercedes EQS SUV: more space, same luxury and comfort close to the EQS

After the EQS and EQE sedans , Mercedes is continuing to develop its fully electric product range, now focusing on the SUV versions of these platforms. We had the opportunity to test for the first time the new Mercedes EQS SUV , which is a huge and luxurious electric car offering extreme comfort for its size. In this article, we will share all the details of our driving experience.

In its quest to become a luxury car brand, Mercedes sees luxury and sustainability as inseparable. That's why the company has set an ambitious goal of becoming 100% electric in all markets by 2030, where possible.

Another priority is to achieve carbon neutrality in all its global operations by 2039. This strategy has been in place for a few years and has led the company to market several 100% electric models, to the point that it currently offers nine.

Mercedes' very first electric vehicle was the EQC SUV , which was still quite rudimentary in terms of electrification technology, but had all the qualities of a real Mercedes car. Subsequently, Mercedes released the EQA , followed by the EQB , the EQV (manufactured in the Vitoria plant, where Mercedes invested 2 billion euros), the EQT and more recently the EQS and the EQE . These last two models have also been declined in SUV versions, with the recent presentation of the EQE SUV .

The data speaks volumes about the global situation

These are the factories where Mercedes produces electric cars. The EQS SUV is produced in Tuscaloosa, USA

The context in which Mercedes has operated in 2022 has been difficult, with obstacles such as the complete abandonment of their activities in Russia - an important market for them - as well as supply problems and the lingering effects of Covid in certain regions. of the world.

As a result, the brand's sales were down 1% from 2021, but they remain impressive, with a total of 2,043,000 units sold worldwide, making Mercedes a global leader in the Premium segment . However, the most encouraging news is the spectacular growth in sales of electric cars, which increased by 124%, with 117,800 units sold.

In addition, the product mix is ​​very attractive, with a significant increase in sales of high-end products aimed at the luxury market. Mercedes-Maybach saw 37% growth selling 21,600 units, while the S-Class , a traditionally popular model, saw sales rise 5% to over 90,000 units sold. The all-new electric EQS ​​was also very successful with 19,200 units sold, which is remarkable for a car of this type.

At the national level, Mercedes is in a very favorable situation, becoming the leading German premium brand, ahead of BMW and Audi . Despite a market down 5.4%, Mercedes recorded growth of 8.3% with the sale of 36,494 units.

Their leadership is also evident in the field of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles , with a total of 8,706 units sold, an increase of 24% compared to 2021. Sales of these types of vehicles have seen significant growth. , reaching a total of 1,943 m², an increase of 123%.

Separately, it should be noted that the number of Mercedes-AMG sales reached record levels in our country, with a total of 844 units. Although I'm not sure if this figure includes the four AMG Ones that have been sold to local customers, as some have yet to be delivered.

Mercedes' latest electric SUV, the EQS

During a good time for the brand, they wanted to introduce a new model which they believe redefines the luxury SUV segment . It is the Mercedes EQS SUV , measuring 5.13 meters in length (10 cm less than the sedan), offering the possibility of installing seven passengers inside in a seating configuration, rather than five.

As for the design, the EQS SUV combines powerful proportions with the characteristic style of high-end electric Mercedes, highlighting the closed grille adorned with small stars accompanying the brand logo in the center.

In France, Digital Light digital headlights are standard, bringing a remarkable bluish touch to the light shows, with the two groups of front lights linked together. The rear lights are also linked and feature a dramatic 3D propeller design.

The AMG Line package is included as standard and highlights the sporty features of the car front and rear with a specific arrangement of sections painted in body color, others in metallic and gloss black . Details such as flush, illuminated door handles and side steps for easy access, as well as 21 or 22-inch wheels, indicate the level of sophistication this car aims for.

The interior of the car offers a spacious and well-designed cabin, with the use of premium materials combined with technological elements such as the Hyperscreen display with three continuous screens across the entire dashboard (standard on the SUV EQS 580 ), while the 450 versions have the same screen as the S-Class .

Inside, we also notice the presence of the AMG Line pack . Sport seats with 4-way lumbar support feature contour lighting. The front seats offer enormous space with several storage compartments in the center console between the two seats. The second row rear seats are also very spacious and can be adjusted electrically to allow access to the third row.

To access it, simply unlock the backrest using a button on it, which automatically moves the second row seats forward. Although the space to access the third row is wide, the height from the ground in this part is quite high, which requires you to bend your leg considerably to access the rear seats.

They can accommodate adults up to 1.75m tall like me, but there is not enough headroom. They are best suited for young children and can be used occasionally by adults. However, they have the advantage of being easily retractable thanks to a button, which makes it possible to obtain a flat boot floor.

The storage volume of this vehicle varies considerably depending on the position of the rear seats. Indeed, with the second row of seats moved back, the cargo volume is 645 litres, which is more than satisfactory. By moving the second row of seats forward, the storage volume can reach 880 litres. On the other hand, with the third row of seats deployed, the storage volume drops considerably to 195 litres.

There are two versions of 4Matic

There are two models of the EQS SUV available in France, the 450 4Matic and the 580 4Matic , and neither has rear-wheel drive. Both versions feature a 108.4 kWh battery and each have two motors, one at each axis, allowing them to have 4Matic all-wheel drive .

With a large capacity battery, the first version can travel 603 km before needing to be recharged, while the second version can reach 600 km of range (in some markets there is a 450+ version which can go up to 673 kilometres).

The EQS SUV 450 has a power of 360 hp, a torque of 800 Nm, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h.

As for the EQS SUV 580 , its power increases to 544 hp and its torque reaches 858 Nm. This more powerful version can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 210 km/h. h.

The 450 model is equipped with a steered rear axle that allows rear wheel rotation up to 4.5 degrees. The 580, on the other hand, has a system that allows the rear wheels to be steered by 10 degrees, which reduces the turning radius from 11.9 meters to 11 meters. This feature is an option for the 450 model and can be purchased through the pay-as-you-go app, arousing the curiosity of some users.

My driving experience with the Mercedes EQS SUV

During our test of the new Mercedes EQS SUV , we had the opportunity to take control of the most upscale version, the 580 4Matic, for a little over an hour. In this article, we will share our first impressions without going into details, as we plan to test the vehicle for a full week.

Right out of the box, we immediately noticed the high level of driving sophistication of the EQS SUV . This car is distinguished by its remarkable silence and its ability to effectively filter out noise from outside, including that of the road.

In both the driver's seat and the passenger's seat (I've only tried standing in the back to check for legroom and access) the atmosphere is completely isolated from the 'outside.

Since it is an electric car, there is no noticeable noise and the rolling noise is extremely low, which is even more remarkable because this car was equipped with optional 22-inch wheels, which could theoretically produce louder than standard 21-inch wheels.

About a month ago I tried the EQS 580 sedan , so my impressions are still fresh. In reality, the similarities between the two vehicles are extremely pronounced. If you closed your eyes, the only way to tell them apart would be because of their height and driving position - in this car your legs aren't as extended as in the sedan.

As far as driving feel goes, the car is essentially identical to the classic EQS ​​we already know. However, we were surprised by its impressive agility, which we were able to experience during a 25 kilometer journey along a winding road with bends in the Sierra de Madrid.

The EQS SUV has demonstrated its ability to easily maneuver around corners, even with a low steering wheel angle, thanks to its advanced rear steering which rotates the rear wheels at 10 degrees. Despite its considerable weight of almost three tons, it offers a driving experience comparable to that of an A-Class.

The car is equipped with a traffic and route monitoring system, which effectively adapts to the environment. For example, when going downhill, the car automatically applies appropriate retention to avoid increasing speed unnecessarily, while generating power for the battery.

Additionally, when the car detects a car ahead, it automatically adjusts its speed to maintain a safe distance.

The level of power and acceleration you will feel will mainly depend on your use of the throttle. Thanks to its two motors and all-wheel drive, this vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and provide instant acceleration at all times, without loss of traction or wheelspin, even in situations where a large amount of power is required.

This ability is partly due to the Torque Shift system , which guarantees optimal distribution of power between the two motors.

Compared to the sedan, another noticeable difference that can be observed is the sway of the bodywork, which is more pronounced due to the SUV nature of this type of car, where the bodywork is higher and subject to greater inertias. important. However, this does not significantly affect driving comfort, and the car is designed for long-distance trips between two battery charges.

Although I mentioned at the beginning of this section that the consumption and its autonomy require an in-depth analysis, we did not notice a drop of 28 kWh/100 km despite having traveled the national road at a moderate pace.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV price

The first Mercedes EQS sport utility vehicles (SUV) have been delivered in France and here are the prices of the two versions currently available on the market:

• EQS SUV 450 4Matic : 144 947 euros.
• EQS SUV 580 4Matic : 172 525 euros.

Going forward, an even more lavish version of the current model will be unveiled as the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV . This version will enrich the range for those who wish to benefit, in addition to the comfort and elegance of this electric car, from another element of distinction and exclusivity.