With its soft cushions, silent and luxurious surroundings and ultra smooth ride, you could be mistaken for believing that the cabin of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV was a suite in a 5-Star hotel (ok not the ride), but rest assured that despite its soft and comforting appearance, this large EV can certainly shift its %###.
It was actually a fair while back that I found myself behind the wheel of the Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV and although it was just an around the block drive, its stateliness and maturity was instantly appealing. So upon its return to Auckland (having travelled the length and breadth of the country), you can be sure I grabbed the offer of another stint.
Rather oddly, the new EQS comes in both Sedan and SUV form, so my top tip here is ‘watch which box you tick when ordering’. However, in saying that, having now driven both, I don’t think you’ll be upset if the ‘wrong’ one is delivered.
Anywho, the EQS SUV comes with a familiar Mercedes-EQ SUV family look, and aside from the Maybach and possible/probable AMG variants, sits at the top of the EQ tree in terms of size and specification. It’s big, very big in fact with ‘garage-filling’ 5.13m length, 2.16m width and 1.72m height dimensions, and when you add in its 3.21m wheelbase, you get A LOT of space on the inside too.
However, the German engineers have managed to make it aerodynamically optimised too, by making the door handles flush and sending the mirrors and illuminated running boards to the wind tunnel. The grille is expansive with tiny 3-pointed stars that halo the central 3-pointed star (and also house much of the radar tech/sensors), while the flaps and vents are functional and active.
Due to its enormity, the 21-inch alloys it rides on look like 18’s and the hand’s free tailgate opens to 195L of bootspace with all three seat rows up or 645L – 800L depending on how you position the 2nd row – it’s all very fluid. Now this may all sound like a nightmare around town, but thankfully the EQS SUV also comes with 4Matic AWD and All-Wheel Steer too, so it handles like a sedan and has a hatch-sized turning circle. Alright I’m exaggerating a bit, but you get the point.
The lavish interior is Mercedes-posh during the day and a Berlin nightclub at night. And to be perfectly honest I couldn’t decide which I preferred, the Anthracite linestructure wood trim panel dash and Alcantara trim visible during my commute, or the deep purple (not the rock band) ambient light I chose to drive with on the ‘Black Nights’.
It comes with a two-screen infotainment and instrumentation set up (as seen in the new C-Class only bigger) and in terms of information, well let’s just say ‘it’s cup runneth over’. They are both easy to use and very informative and ‘hey Mercedes’ is at your beck and call every step of the way. The Burmester stereo (3D surround sound system with 15 speakers and 710 watts) is loud enough to wake you from any form of slumber, but its quality is pure enough to send you back to sleep too.
Now the thing about the S-Class (historically), is that the experience is about being driven rather than driving, and to that extent the middle row is both spacious and comfortable, however, even with its partially reclining seats and independent AC, it’s not enough to tempt me back there, meaning would opt to chauffeur the team, which I did.
Like I said in the outset, it’s a smooth ride with simply oodles of power. Under the hood is a 107.8kWh battery that sends its power to two motors. Combined they produce 265kW of power and 800Nm of torque, they move this weighty SUV from 0-100km/h in a mere 6 seconds and with consumption figures that sit around 20.5kWh/100km, range is expected to be around 540km.
I picked the EQS SUV with 99% charge and an estimated 594km range, however, with some quick/enthusiastic trips, the electric SUV began to settle at 75% with 432km (which still meant 576km total est). From there on in, it was less about the range and pace and more about just enjoying the ride.
The big wheel and bigger tyres, AIRMATIC Suspension, and all-singing all-dancing steering meant that driving this big EV was a dream. There is a myriad of ADAS tech to keep you in-between the lines and safe from harm, but most of the time it just allowed me to drive. Our unkempt roads were irrelevant and although I had all that power on demand, and its cornering manners at speed were impeccable, I was just as happy cruising along with a hefty smile on my face and my head resting on the soft pillow head rest.
I am certain that this luxurious 7-seater EV SUV is not for everyone, and even less so when you figure in its $170k+ price tag (my review model was $196,500), but if you have the means and are in the market for a highly-spec’d EV with plenty of range and room, then opting for the EQS SUV will help you sleep easy.
