Mercedes-Benz EQS Review & Prices

The Mercedes EQS is, as that last little letter suggests, the electric equivalent of the mighty S-Class luxury saloon. Styled to look like a worn-smooth bar of soap, the EQS slips through the air to score a lengthy claimed range number. It’s like wrapping one of those Olympic swimming suits around a big battery pack.

It’s a more distinctive looking car than the S-Class, which remains a traditional, upright saloon car. The EQS’ roof seems to run in one single huge curved line from the front wheels to the rear ones, and it’s almost a mono-box shape, like someone squashed a Ford Transit.

It’s a much more practical car than the smaller EQE saloon too. The two cars share a lot of battery and motor technology, but the EQS is actually a massive hatchback, with a fastback boot lid that opens up to reveal lots of cargo space. Is it gorgeous? Not quite, but it’s kind of cool in a science-nerdy way. If you want it to look a bit more traditional, you can optionally have the EQS with the old-school stand-up Mercedes badge on the edge of the bonnet.

The EQS’ sheer size — it’s a really big car — means that you get a huge range. In fact the bigger-battery 450+ model can go for a claimed 481 miles on a full charge, while even the basic (not that any EQS is exactly basic) 350 version can manage a claimed 409 mile range.

Watch: BMW i7 v Mercedes EQS range test

Having a big range means also having a big battery, and the EQS certainly has one of those, with a 450+ model stretching to 118kWh of stored energy. Don’t worry, though; the battery also charges up quickly, at up to 200kW of DC power (the smaller battery charges at 170kW), so you should be back on the road fairly soon. In fact, you can — in theory — add as much as 186 miles of extra range in just 15 minutes’ charging, if the charger and the battery are both in their happy places. There’s 22kW AC charging for when you have more time, but charging at home on a 7.4kW wallbox can take a staggering 17 hours (!) from empty to full.

Mercedes EQS: electric range, battery and charging data

Range: 377-481 miles
Efficiency: 3.3-3.6 miles per kWh
Battery size: 96-118kWh
Max charge speed: 170-200kW
Charge time AC: 13-17hrs
Charge time DC: 31-32mins
Charge port location: Right rear
Power outputs: 292-360bhp

Inside, as standard you now get the massive ‘Hyperscreen’ dashboard, which packages three separate screens under one massive glass cover that seems to be the size of a snooker table. There’s an instrument display for the driver, a big main infotainment screen, and a smaller passenger-side screen, just in case whoever’s in that seat doesn’t fancy holding their phone.

As you’d expect from a Mercedes with an S badge, there’s tremendous quality in the cabin, with lots of shiny metal, carefully polished wood, and soft leather. The built-in pillows on the headrests are positively decadent. It’s not all good, though — probe around the edges and you will find some cheap materials that have no place in a car this expensive.

Performance is brisk, but nothing spectacular. Both the EQS 350 and the 450+ will crack the 0-62mph run in under seven seconds, but the 2,600-2,700kg kerb weight clearly takes a toll on that. Better to just sit back and cruise and extend that range as far as you can.

There’s tremendous comfort, with standard Airmatic air suspension, and there’s even a camera in the windscreen that can spot bumps coming up in the road ahead, and warn the suspension so that it can react with more grace. Better still, that system can even remember where the bumps are for later. That’s not all, as you also get rear wheel steering for a tighter turning circle.

For all the comfort, though, the EQS isn’t brilliant to drive. It’s very soft and squashy on its suspension, and can feel a bit like a luxurious canal barge at times. The ultra-soft brake pedal doesn’t inspire much in the way of confidence, particularly in town.

The EQS is also very, very expensive with even the cheapest version coming in a few quid short of six figures.

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 EQS deals at Carwow, or get a great price on a Mercedes EQS leasing deal. You can find a used Mercedes EQS for sale, or search for other used Mercedes models for sale - and remember that you can also sell your old car through Carwow too.

As Mercedes’ electric flagship, you expect the EQS to be pricey, but even before you go adding options, this is to all intents and purposes a six-figure car even in its most basic form. Thankfully, it’s also very well-equipped, with the massive screens and leather upholstery both coming as standard. The EQS is also considerably better value than its direct alternative from BMW, the i7. 

With Tesla having canned the Model S in right hand drive, there’s also no competition anymore from that brand. Audi doesn’t have a direct rival to the EQS yet — the e-Tron GT four-door electric coupe is much sportier and smaller inside, and more fun to drive, although it’s also slightly more expensive than the Merc. You could have, instead, an Audi A8 with plug-in hybrid power for less than the price of the EQS, but perhaps its biggest challenge will be convincing S-Class buyers to move over to all-electric power — the S450e with 68 miles of electric range for its plug-in hybrid system is slightly more expensive than the EQS, but probably sits more easily with traditional buyers.

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.

The EQS’ spongy brake pedal feel can be a real heart-stopper around town though. Sometimes it just feels unnervingly like you’re about to pile into the boot of the car in front before the brakes bite.

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.

The sleek aerodynamics help to limit the impact of motorway driving on range, but of course, like all electric cars, this is where the EQS will put in its worst battery performance.

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, but only up to a point — in softer settings, the big Merc can feel very boat-like as it rolls gently around corners.

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

The first time we sat into the EQS, it felt like sitting into the future. Now, though, when every new cheap Chinese car has super-sized screens? A bit less so.

The EQS has some nice touches, though, including automatically opening and closing doors, 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. They’re standard in the back seats, and optional up front.

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. The seats are more upright than they are in the S-Class or BMW i7, though, which does dull the feeling of opulent luxury somewhat.

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’s probably the closest we’ll ever get to an S-Class Estate.

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 — the ‘bonnet’ is actually permanently sealed and you just add windscreen wash through a little flap in the wheelarch — 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. That said, there are some cheap bits and pieces around, and they really rankle in a car that costs this much.

The EQS boasts what Mercedes calls 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. Just having all of that screen real estate in the cabin is, ultimately, quite distracting when you’re driving. The old EQS could be had with a simpler, two-screen layout. We miss it.

The driver’s display is pretty 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. Equally, passenger side screens tend to be a bit superfluous as most people sitting in the front will just end up using their own phone or tablet anyway.

At the moment, the EQS lineup is limited to two models — the standard 350 version and the more powerful, bigger-battery 450+. At the time of writing, the four-wheel drive EQS 580, and the AMG versions, had been dropped from the UK lineup, but they’ll likely be back at some point. The EQS 350 gets a 96kWh battery and a maximum range of 409 miles, while the 450+ gets a 118kWh battery and a 481 mile range.

Those should be pretty realistic figures, too. They’re helped by the fact that even on the motorway, the EQS’s ultra-slippery shape helps to keep energy consumption down (it’s one of the most aerodynamically efficient cars in the world). On our test, we found that with plenty of motorway driving, an EQS 450+ would deliver about 72 per cent of its claimed range, which would put it at 346 miles. That should be enough for most. Energy consumption is claimed by Mercedes to be 3.5 miles per kWh, and we recorded 3.2 miles per kWh.

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.

VED tax works out at just £10 for the first year, but seeing as the price tag is two-and-a-half times the £40,000 point at which higher VED rates kick in, you’ll be paying an extra £425 each year until the car is six years old. However, for business users, Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax rates are almost laughably low — as little as £50 per month.

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, while in the UK there have been minor recalls for seatbelt bolts, sunroof sealing issues, and incorrect wiring for the auxiliary heater. 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.

The EQS didn’t feature in the most recent Driver Power Top 50 Cars To Own list, but Mercedes finished poorly, in 25th place out of 32 brands, in the broader Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, with 26.3% of owners reporting problems with their cars.