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Review – Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, why buy it?

June 22, 2023

First all-electric luxury SUV

The EQS SUV is Mercedes-EQ’s first all-electric luxury SUV. Small this electric SUV is not. It is 5,125 mm long, 2,157 mm wide and 1,718 mm high. The wheelbase is on the hefty side at 3,210 mm and also similar to the EQS Limousine with which the EQS SUV shares many technical components. The generous wheelbase also results in particularly generous interior space. And we really mean: a lot of interior space. It is one of the strengths of this Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.

Optional with third row of seats

Know that the second row of seats is electrically adjustable as standard and the luggage compartment can easily fit four golf bags. Optionally, the brand provides a third row of seats with two separate seats. So by popular demand, the EQS SUV is a seven-seater.

The starting price of a Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

When we talk about a starting price of 120,827 euros, of course you immediately know that we are not dealing with a car that is available to everyone. No, with this EQS SUV, Mercedes-Benz is aiming at the upper segment where people store with often rich wallets. Why should you buy this Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV? Because perhaps the car combines space with top-level comfort and connectivity? That could be one reason.

The decision to buy an EQS SUV will depend mainly on whether you are charmed by its design. After all, this car looks special anyway. Just look at the front. The three-dimensional star pattern in the “grille” harkens back to the original star of the Daimler-Motorengesellschaft registered as a trademark in 1911. It is mostly the subtle details that adorn this car. Moreover, it is an SUV in which Mercedes-Benz applies appalling technology.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Rear-wheel drive is standard

For example, the EQS SUV has an electric motor on the rear axle as standard, and the variants with 4MATIC also have electric motors on the rear axle. In the 4MATIC models, the Torque Shift function provides intelligent, stepless distribution of drive torque between the rear and front electric motors. The electric motors on the front and rear axles are permanent synchronous motors (PSM). What are the benefits of this? They have high power density, high efficiency and high power resistance.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 2023, why buy? – REVIEW – AutoRAI TV

Smart undercarriage

The chassis of the new Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV features a front axle with four wishbones and an independent multilink rear axle. AIRMATIC air suspension with adjustable damping (ADS+) is also part of the standard equipment. The vehicle level can be raised several centimeters with this. The undercarriage feels nice and especially comfortable. Moreover, thanks to good sound insulation, it is extremely quiet aboard this car.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Driving modes and co-driving rear axle

There are several driving modes to choose from, namely “ECO,” “Comfort,” “Sport” and “Individual. If you go for a 4MATIC variant, you also get an “Offroad” mode. Rear axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5° is also standard. The system offers great agility in the city and dynamism outside the city. An optional variant with a steering angle of up to 10° is available via an OTA update. In practice, you have to get used to such a co-steering rear axle because it feels somewhat unnatural. But soon you don’t want to be without it. Moreover, it is a special sight when the rear wheels steer along.

Four engine variants

There is a choice of a total of several engine variants. Those are the EQS SUV 450+, the EQS 450 4Matic, EQS SUV 500 4Matic and the EQS SUV 580 4Matic. We list the differences for you below.

EQS SUV 450+

EQS SUV 450 4Matic

EQS SUV 500 4Matic

EQS SUV 580 4Matic

The best choice: the basic version

Rationally speaking, the basic variant is the best choice, as this version has the widest range and is much more “economical. But the buyer of an EQS SUV also does himself a favor, and so many customers choose the top model: the EQS SUV 580 4Matic. With an extensive options list, the price of such an electric SUV runs up particularly quickly. Tapping a sum of 200,000 euros? No problem. By the way, the one we drove costs 177,000 euros. That amount includes the hefty Hyperscreen, an option worth a whopping 8,712 euros. More on that later.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Performance Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 580 4Matic

The system output of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 580 4Matic comes out to 544 hp (400 kW) and 858 Nm of torque, good for a 0-100 time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. Not bad for an EV menace weighing a whopping 2,710 kilograms. By the way, braked, this EQS SUV is allowed to tow 1,800 kilograms. That number applies to all variants except the EQS 450+. That one may tow 750 kilograms braked.

Giga battery!

Of great influence on the overall weight of this EQS SUV is, of course, the immense 108.4 kWh battery pack. Charging via a normal charging station can be done with 11 or 22 kW, but with a fast charger, charging speeds of up to 200 kW can be achieved. Charging the battery from 10 to 80 percent then takes about 31 minutes. The weight of the battery is well felt during deceleration. You instinctively have to pedal a lot to force this car to stop. The EQS SUV is also not a tearjerker. It is a car to unwind in. To that end, the car is also fully equipped. Comfort prevailed in development.

Energizing Air Control

Comfort is achieved through good sound insulation, fine damping, extremely good seats and, above all, a very nice finish. But comfort goes beyond that. Energizing Air Control also increases onboard comfort. This system includes a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter with a very high level of filtration to capture fine particles, microparticles, pollen and other substances that come in with the outside air. Hay fever? Kiss my *ss!

Energizing Comfort

Energizing Comfort is also a great feature aboard this Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. This comfort program is now a fixture in every luxury Mercedes-Benz. The system combines chair massage with audio experience and heat or cooling. That sound is even better in this SUV thanks to the Dolby Atmos sound system. This system takes the audio experience in the EQS SUV to a new level. Individual instruments or voices in the studio mix can be placed around the listening area. Trust us: this is one of the best driving “sound boxes” on the market. Impressive!

MBUX Hyperscreen

Also impressive is the optional MBUX Hyperscreen. This very large, curved screen runs almost from A-pillar to A-pillar and contains three individual screens that visually blend together under one glass cover. Under the right daylight, it is easy to see that these are three separate displays. The 12.3-inch oled front passenger display has its own display and controls. In Europe and a growing number of countries, the front passenger can also view dynamic content while driving. We explain exactly how everything works in detail in the review video of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. And did we mention the MBUX augmented reality head-up display? This system displays a lot of augmented reality content for driver assistance systems and navigation information. Works great and it also looks slick. In short: indulgence on wheels. But not cheap. And more importantly: on the size!

Size smaller

Can it be one size less? Then, too, there is plenty to choose from at Mercedes-Benz. Consider, for example, an EQE SUV, an EQC, EQB or EQA. Or if you prefer a more angular design in the EQS SUV format: wait for the EQG, an electric version of the iconic G-Class. In any case, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 580 4Matic is a car that impresses above all with its exceptionally high comfort level and space offerings. Thus, the recipe of S-Class luxury combined with practical features of an SUV works out excellently in practice.


Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV


Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV








Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV 580 4Matic





Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV