Note: This feature was first published on 29 April 2024.
The EQS SUV is Mercedes-Benz's flagship electric SUV.
Mercedes-Benz’s adoption of electricity has been impressively rapid. In just five years since the first EQ car rolled off the production line, Mercedes now has a complete lineup of electric SUVs ranging from the “compact” EQA to the flagship and gargantuan EQS SUV. With its three rows of seats and ample boot, the latter is ostensibly the ideal SUV for well-heeled large families ready to make the transition to EVs.
The TL;DR version:
Intimidating, spacious, and loaded with tech, the EQS SUV is the ultimate electric SUV for large families with deep pockets.
The very first thing you’ll notice about the EQS SUV is its sheer size. At well over five metres long and nearly two metres wide, few cars can rival it in the size stakes. It’s larger than even very large SUVs like the Bentley Bentagya and Audi Q8. And unlike some poorly packaged SUVs which appear large on the outside and are actually quite cramped on the inside, the EQS SUV is equally cavernous behind the doors.
Larger families will be happy to know that the EQS SUV has three rows of seats and dual sunroofs. The second row will happily accommodate three adults with ample legroom, and you can just about squeeze adults in the last row if the front two rows cooperate and move their seats forward. That said, the last row is best reserved for children.
At nearly 5.2 metres long, not many cars are longer than the EQS SUV. It'll also struggle to fit most parking lots.
Happily, boot space, even with the third row up, is quite generous and more than sufficient for grocery runs and even short getaways. Fold the third row of seats down and boot space expands to 800 litres. Fold the second row down and that expands to a whopping 2,000 litres. If whatever you are trying to move won’t fit in this car, you need to call a truck.
The driving position is commanding and impervious. You sit high and tower over every other road user. Furthermore, the seats are extremely cosseting because not only are they ventilated, but they also have massage features too. Coupled with its ride, which has some magic carpet qualities about it, and excellent noise insulation, long drives on hot days will not be a problem.
Boot space even with the third row of seats up is very decent. Small luggage will fit easily.
With its adaptive air suspension, the EQS SUV is immensely adept at ironing out kinks in the road. In fact, it can feel a tad too soft at times, and this manifests in excessive body movement. Happily, this can be tamed by going into sports mode and firming up the suspension. Where it is less dignified, however, is at low speeds. At carpark speeds, the amount of body movement when traversing over prominent humps can be disconcerting at times.
Despite its colossal footprint, the EQS SUV is surprisingly nimble. I’m not saying it handles like a small sports coupe, but in the context of a car that weighs just shy of three tons, it’s remarkably agile and manoeuvrable. Mostly it’s because it has rear-wheel steering, which means its turning radius is no longer than an A-Class. This makes the EQS SUV very comfortable at executing u-turns.
I drove 450km and managed an average energy consumption of 22kWh/100km.
Only one variant of the EQS SUV is available here and that’s the EQS 450 4Matic. That means it has all-wheel drive and dual motors for a combined power output of 355hp and 800nm of torque. It’s the latter figure that you are most aware of. Whenever you stroke the accelerator, it just goes. And that’s impressive considering it’s only 200kg shy of three tonnes.
The EQS SUV delivered decent range mostly because its battery is large – 108.4kWh. Over one weekend, I clocked 450km with an average energy consumption of 22kWh/100km. Based on these figures, most owners should be able to travel around 400-450km on a full charge. That’s acceptable for a car with its plethora of battery-draining tech.
The Hyperscreen (display for the passenger) is standard on the AMG line but optional on the Electric Art line. According to the price list, it's a S$49,300 option.
On the subject of tech, the EQS SUV has loads of it. Like all modern Benzes, the EQS SUV’s cabin is a sublime mix of high-resolution displays and ambient lights. The test car came with the Hyperscreen, which gives an additional full-size display for the front passenger and creates the illusion that the entire dashboard is awash with displays. Even if the utility of that extra display is quite limited, I have to admit that it looks very impressive. A wide range of safety features such as 3D cameras, front and rear sensors, adaptive cruise control, blind spot assists, and more, all come as standard.
Styling is a subjective thing but I think most will agree the EQS SUV is rather handsome. Certainly, it won’t be mistaken for anything for anything other than a Mercedes, and it has a dignified air about the way it looks.
If you have deep pockets and the need for a large electric SUV to move lots of people and things, the EQS SUV fits the bill.
To be honest, the EQS SUV doesn’t have a direct rival in our market. BMW’s iX and Audi’s Q8 e-tron are both smaller and less expensive. So if you need a large electric-only people mover, this is your only option. But don't for a moment think you are settling, the fact is this is a very capable large SUV. And as someone who previously professed to not like SUVs, I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend with it. I suppose that’s the ultimate accolade I can give it.
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Availability and pricing
The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is available now in two trim levels: Electric Art and AMG Line. The AMG Line is better equipped and comes with some exterior tweaks, AMG alloy wheels, the Hyperscreen, and Burmester 3D surround sound system, and more. Prices start at S$596,888.
Prices are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change because of fluctuating COE prices. For more information, go to Mercedes-Benz’s website.
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