2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV: An EQ for the Complete Family

The EQS sedan has been a extremely vital automobile for Mercedes-Benz, headlining the corporate’s burgeoning EQ electrical subbrand whereas pushing the boundaries of automotive know-how, aerodynamics, and luxurious. Yet as monumental as that automobile is, it is nonetheless a automobile adrift in a sea of SUVs. Which makes the brand new 2023 EQS SUV a completely unsurprising improvement, although one virtually sure to have a good larger significance within the market.

With base costs starting from $105,450 to $127,000—the identical because the low-roof EQS—the EQS SUV is a luxurious individuals mover that operates in close to silence. Think of it as an electrical GLS-class that is 3.2 inches shorter general however with a 3.0-inch-longer wheelbase. The practicalities of SUV use imply that it swaps the lozenge-shaped exterior of its four-door counterpart for a extra typical, upright design that potential consumers ought to discover comfortably acquainted. That it can also swallow as much as seven occupants through an non-compulsory third row of seats will not harm. With a drag coefficient of simply 0.26, the EQS SUV is glossy for a utility automobile, which, together with its strong black nosepiece dotted with three-pointed stars, helps it tread the road between conventional and futuristic. From sure angles, its cab-forward proportions and a roof 4.2 inches decrease than a GLS’s provides this EQS the vibe of a minivan, albeit with an magnificence that Benz’s outdated R-class by no means attained.

As the primary SUV to be constructed on the corporate’s EVO 2 platform—a job that takes place at Mercedes’s plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama—the EQS SUV rides on the identical 126.4-inch wheelbase because the EQS four-door and shares its energy items and floor-mounted battery pack, though capability is up barely to 108.4 kWh. The normal EQS450+ mannequin has a single motor on its rear axle that is good for 355 horsepower and 419 pound-feet of torque. An all-wheel-drive 450 4Matic model provides a front-axle motor that ups the mixed torque determine to 590 pound-feet with out altering the whole pony depend. Topping the lineup is the dual-motor EQS580 4Matic with its 536 horses and 633 pound-feet. Three trim ranges—Premium, Exclusive, and Pinnacle—range the diploma of know-how and opulence, however all really feel appropriately wealthy inside.

As you’d anticipate of a bigger, heavier automobile that punches a much bigger gap within the ambiance, the SUV has a shorter estimated vary than the EQS four-door: an EPA-rated 305 miles for the 450+ and 285 miles for 4Matic fashions, in comparison with 350 and 340 miles, respectively, for the EQS450 and 580 sedans. Those are nonetheless first rate figures, although, and the EQS580 was one of many few EVs to beat its official estimate in our testing. Such real-world effectivity bodes nicely for the mechanically related SUV, however we’ll verify that after we get one to check. Mercedes says a 240-volt outlet will cost the SUV from 10 to 100% in a little bit over 11 hours, with 10 to 80 p.c fill-ups at a DC fast-charger that may output the EQS’s 200-kW most taking 31 minutes.

Our drive round Denver, Colorado, included each 450+ and 580 4Matic fashions, the latter being our favourite due to its potential to crush its occupants again of their seats in Sport mode (there are also Eco, Comfort, Individual, and Off-Road settings). We anticipate a 60-mph time of 4.2 seconds, which backs up the 580’s impression of fleetness; the 450 4Matic ought to be extra like 5.5 seconds to 60 mph and the usual 450+ 6.2 seconds. That’s to not say the lesser 4Matic model feels torpid when merging onto the freeway, however its muted thrust merely does not hit as onerous, and it tapers off as speeds rise. A extra highly effective AMG model will not be at the moment deliberate, however Mercedes says a glitzier Maybach mannequin is within the works.

This comfortable household transport is at its greatest when calmly cruising, its normal air springs and adaptive dampers serving to it glide down the highway with a soothing sense of isolation from the skin world. Its cabin is pleasantly quiet beneath triple-digit speeds, and its construction felt impressively strong, even when teetering on two wheels on an alpine off-road course (Off-Road mode helps right here by elevating the air springs about an inch to supply 8.7 inches of floor clearance). Yet whether or not arcing by means of curvy mountain passes or navigating tight trails that it doubtless won’t ever see in the true world, the EQS SUV’s dealing with potential is bolstered by normal rear-axle steering that may pivot the rear wheels as much as 10 levels, making it really feel extremely agile for its dimension. Wheel sizes vary from 20 to 21 inches. Gentle physique lean round corners is ever current, but suggestions from the numb, artificial-feeling steering will not be.

Like different EQ fashions, the EQS SUV options a number of sound profiles that play by means of audio system inside and out of doors of the automobile, with their alternating whooshes and whirs various from mildly entertaining to annoying. All could be turned off. Sadly, there is not any off swap for the digital brake pedal that the EQS shares with different electrical Mercedes fashions; it feels tender and mushy in most conditions but will agency up and depress by itself below robust regenerative braking. Mercedes says that is an efficiency-minded function that additionally helps to prime the brakes for sudden stops. But we discovered its inconsistent motion lower than very best for driver confidence, notably when the automated regen mode in any other case works nicely. We typically settled for a reasonable stage of regen (chosen through the steering-wheel paddles) for larger consistency.

There’s loads of better-executed know-how on show contained in the GLS SUV, together with a slew of active-safety options. Benz’s pillar-to-pillar Hyperscreen infotainment system, which encompasses three shows below a single pane of glass and even permits front-seat passengers to look at movies and play video games, is normal on the highest EQS580 mannequin (lesser trims initially will solely be accessible with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen). Though the massive display screen’s up to date driver-configurable homepage and big map show with augmented actuality navigation are useful when looking for charging stations in unfamiliar areas, the educational curve for the MBUX working system is steep and the readout’s positioning throughout the SUV’s excessive cowl makes for lots of distracting pixels. Combined with an virtually full reliance on fussy touch-sensitive controls, together with on the steering wheel, interacting with the EQS SUV requires follow—and endurance.

Move rearward and the inside’s poshness extends to the usual power-folding 40/20/40-split second-row seat, which provides 5 inches of fore/aft journey and beneficiant recline changes, although heating parts and rear-seat leisure are non-compulsory (particular person captain’s chairs aren’t provided). Comfort ranges are excessive, adjustable ambient lighting abounds, and the supplies and finishes are beautiful. Unlike within the EQS four-door, headroom was a nonissue for this five-foot-11 writer, and there was sufficient room to cross our legs with the center row pushed all the best way again.

Tap a button on the second-row seatback and it folds and slides ahead for entry to the non-compulsory third row of seats. Anyone past their teen years might wish to limber up earlier than climbing again there, however as soon as located they’re going to discover extra USB retailers, non-compulsory butt heaters and local weather controls, plus sufficient area beneath the center row for his or her loafers. Legroom varies from first rate to crushed knees, relying on how thoughtful second-row occupants are with their seat changes. However, restricted headroom from the sloping roofline means taller riders will solely be content material on brief hauls. Cargo area behind the third row is a modest seven cubic ft, however relying on the seating configuration, there’s as much as 23 cubes accessible behind the center row and as much as 74 cubic ft with all of the rear seats stowed.

While the cheaper gas-burning GLS-class provides larger cargo volumes and may tow considerably extra—7700 kilos versus the EV’s 3500—the EQS SUV is much extra versatile than its sedan sibling. That its styling is extra suburban than science fiction could also be an extra draw for some. A tradeoff is that the present limitations of charging on the go will additional complicate the household highway journeys that this utility automobile was designed for, so plan accordingly when heading to Walley World. But contemplating how way more Mercedes you get for a similar outlay because the four-door, this SUV is essentially the most compelling EQS but.