The 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV offers room for seven, a brilliant interior design, and an impressive résumé of power and range. Mercedes is sticking with these trims: a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) EQS SUV 450+, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) EQS SUV 450 4Matic (add $3,000), and an EQS SUV 580 with 4Matic AWD.
Sharing its platform and architecture with the EQS sedan, the EQS SUV offers more ground clearance, a more versatile interior, and more passenger capacity. Range and EPA figures have yet to be released, but we suspect they’ll be slightly lower than the more aerodynamic EQS sedan, so probably in the neighborhood of around 300- to 325-mile range, depending on the model.
Competition is heating up in the electric luxury SUV market, where we expect the EQS SUV will go toe to toe with challengers like the Tesla Model X and BMW iX.
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV 450+: $104,400 (RWD), $107,400 (AWD)
The 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV 450+ is a rear-drive electric SUV with an electric motor and battery pack producing 355 horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque. In European testing, the 450+ has a range of just over 600 kilometers (373 miles). Given the stricter test standards in the U.S., we expect the range to drop to around 305 miles per charge. When it’s equipped with 4Matic AWD, the range of the EQS SUV 450 is expected to be about 285 miles.
Using a DC fast-charging station, the EQS SUV 450+ can charge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes, while using a 240-volt Level 2 charger requires just under 12 hours to reach full charge. The EQS comes standard with Mercedes me Charge, granting access to over 60,000 public charging stations around the country that guarantee access to sustainable green power sources.
Along with the rear-mounted electric motor, the EQS 450+ includes rear-wheel steering that significantly reduces its turning radius to just 36 feet.
From the outside, it’s clear the EQS 450+ is an extraordinary leap forward in Mercedes design. Its sleek lines and aerodynamic features give it a futuristic look, highlighted by the black front panel that houses cameras, sensors, and radar equipment. Flanking the grille are two Digital Light LED headlights. More than just vessels for illuminating the dark, these headlights can adjust the intensity, warn of pedestrians walking along the roadside, anticipate hills or dips (and adjust the light beam accordingly), and even put on a little light show whenever you approach the vehicle.
Other exterior features of note include heated side mirrors, 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and flush side-door handles that present themselves upon arrival. Keyless Go with hands-free access permits locking and unlocking the doors simply by approaching the vehicle with the fob in your pocket or purse. The hands-free power liftgate opens automatically in the same manner.
The EQS 450+ rides on an Airmatic suspension with adaptive dampers. The setup continually adjusts settings to compensate for road abnormalities and help the vehicle stay planted during aggressive cornering.
Mercedes’ Dynamic Select includes Comfort, Eco, Sport, and Individual modes. The different settings affect acceleration, steering feedback, and ride comfort.
The driver can also select the degree of regenerative braking via steering-wheel paddles. When set aggressively, the system will rapidly slow the vehicle upon removing one’s foot from the accelerator. This design allows for one-pedal driving without using the brake pedal.
The EQS interior is equally high-tech, with power-adjustable second-row seats that recline electrically. The manually folding third-row seats are optional and, along with the second-row seats, can be equipped with seat heaters.
Fully electric front seats include power lumbar support, ambient lighting, luxury headrest, plus heating and ventilation.
Mercedes’ MBUX multimedia system features augmented reality navigation that uses the front camera to integrate the surrounding area into the navigation screen, then superimpose directional features like turn arrows or street names. The system understands casual voice instructions and features an onboard assistant that can be woken up by simply saying, “Hey, Mercedes.” It can also plan your route figuring in required charging stations along the way.
The MBUX system is highly complex but designed to appear just the opposite. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn the driver’s preferences, proactively displaying the correct functions with their operating screens and avoiding the need to scroll endlessly through menus and submenus.
Displays appear on a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen with fingerprint biometric recognition for up to seven people. The infotainment setup includes a 15-speaker Burmester 3D Surround Sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and six USB-C charge ports. A wireless charging pad is also standard.
Standard amenities include dual-zone automatic climate control, Nubuck leather upholstery, 64-color ambient interior lighting, and various “soundscapes” that flow through the Burmester speakers with names like Silver Waves and Vivid Flux.
Being a Mercedes, the EQS SUV has numerous driver aids and assist systems. The EQS features forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and Active Blind-Spot Assist to help guide the vehicle away from a possible collision.
Other features include adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and Active Brake Assist, which can sense when a vehicle is about to cross in front of the EQS and initiate braking if the driver fails to heed warnings.
Active Parking Assist helps with parallel and perpendicular parking, featuring a 360-degree surround-view camera that works in conjunction with the ultrasonic sensors to ensure the EQS doesn’t bump into cars or standing objects.
The EQS 450+ offers numerous optional upgrades, some of which come standard on the 580 4Matic.
A massive MBUX Hyperscreen covers the entire width of the dash, with brilliant color OLED screens including a 12.3-inch digital display, a 17.7-inch center touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch passenger-side touchscreen display.
The Energizing Air Control system includes a massive HEPA filter stored under the front hood to keep cabin air clean and free of annoying allergens, viruses, and microparticles.
The MBUX head-up display comes in two versions: a standard head-up display and another augmented-reality display similar to the navigation system. It creates the appearance of a 77-inch diagonal display projected out about 33 feet from the car.
The MBUX Interior Assistant not only responds to voice commands but also gestures. For example, when reaching for the door handle, the system sees your hand moving and activates the blind-spot monitor to warn if it’s not safe to open the door.
Other options include the MBUX rear-seat entertainment system with individual view screens, 4- or 5-zone automatic climate control (5-zone for the optional third-row seat), multi-contour massaging and rapid-heating front seats, and animated LED logo projectors.
The Winter Package adds a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, a heated windshield, and a washer fluid system that heats the fluid reservoir and lines to avoid freezing.
The Acoustic Comfort Package brings heat, infrared, and noise-insulating glass, blocking unwanted road noise and heat.
And finally, for the ultimate in limo-like service, the Executive Rear Seat Package adds the MBUX Interior Assistant, comfort headrests, adaptive rear compartment lighting, heated seats, MBUX tablet, wireless charging, and rear side airbags.
With a destination fee of $1,150, the 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS 450+ costs about $105,550 before any federal or state tax breaks. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment should be around $1,897. See 2023 Mercedes EQ-EQS 450+ models for sale near you
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV 450+ includes:
- MBUX – The Mercedes-Benz User Experience is clever software enabling voice control of various functions and employs AI to anticipate your every need. You can control climate, navigation, infotainment, and other features from the driver’s seat.
- Heated and ventilated front seats – These multifunction front seats help keep you cool and perspiration-free in the summer and comfortably warm in the winter.
- Airmatic suspension – By replacing ordinary steel springs with a self-leveling airbag suspension, the EQS SUV can raise or lower itself depending on the driver’s need. The Airmatic suspension includes adaptive dampers that continually adjust the shocks according to road conditions.
- Burmester 3D Surround Sound system – This 15-speaker sound system includes Dolby Atmos, a new technology that replaces the traditional left-right stereo dynamic with a 360-degree immersive experience.
2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS SUV 580 4Matic: $125,950
One step up from the EQS 450+ is the EQS 580 4Matic. It adds 4Matic AWD and an auxiliary electric motor. It has a robust 536 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque. Range is expected to be 285 miles.
In addition to the more powerful motors, the 4Matic AWD system includes an intelligent Off-Road mode that raises the ride height and can operate with or without the ESP (electronic stability program). It also features a torque-shifting function that ensures power always goes to the wheel or wheels with the best traction.
The 580 4Matic gains a few more features as standard, most notably the MBUX Hyperscreen.
With a destination fee of $1,150, the 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS 580 4Matic costs $127,100 before any federal or state tax breaks. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment works out to around $2,384. See 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQS 580 4Matic models for sale near you
