2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan

　　

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioDirector, Vehicle Testing

　　Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at zzdcar, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.

　　Mercedes-Benz debuted its new EQ line of electric vehicles, including the flagship EQS sedan, just last year. Like the name suggests, the EQS adopts the spirit of the S-Class sedan, with its luxury features, in-car tech and advanced driver aids, but combines it with an all-electric powertrain.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

Mercedes-Benz EQS EV Insights

Trim:EQS EQS 450+

　　EQS 450+ 4dr Sedan (electric DD) - $104,400 MSRPEQS 450 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD) - $107,400 MSRPEQS 580 4MATIC 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $125,950 MSRPAMG EQS 4dr Sedan AWD (electric DD) - $147,550 MSRP

　　

Range

 zzdcar TESTED

　　422 miles

　　zzdcar Tested Rangezzdcar begins with a full battery charge and drives the vehicle on a mix of city and highway roads (approximately 60% city, 40% highway) until the battery is almost entirely empty. (We target 10 miles of remaining range for safety.) The miles traveled and the indicated remaining range are added together for the zzdcar Tested Range figure.

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 359 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　

Charging at Home

　　12.5 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　Complimentary Charging Offer

　　Restrictions: This program is a charging agreement between Mercedes-Benz USA and Electrify America. Customers who purchase or lease a new Mercedes-EQ model will receive 2 years of complimentary 30-minute DC fast charging on the Electrify America network. Complimentary charging expires 2 years from the initial activation. To take advantage of this benefit, customers must be registered with Mercedes me Charge. Offer is non-transferable and only valid to first owners or lessees. See your participating dealer for details.

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$74/mo

　　EQS

　　vs

　　$198/mo

　　Car Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　The EQS offers impressive range in its base and all-wheel-drive trims. The base trim's Recurrent beat the current Tesla Model S's EPA estimate of 405 miles, and does it with a more refined interior and cutting-edge tech. (In our testing, we've found Tesla models typically have real-world range results near, or just shy, of EPA estimates.) Even the high-performance EQS AMG version, which can produce thumping 751 horsepower in short bursts, is rated for nearly 280 miles on a full charge.

　　For 2023, Mercedes-Benz expands the EQS lineup with a new dual-motor, all-wheel-drive version of the base model trim, the EQS 450 4Matic. A few other new features trickle down from the S-Class and even the Mercedes-Maybach, such as adjustable rear seat overhead lighting, tablet gesture controls, and upgraded pillows, headrests, and slightly extended seat cushions. A new 20-inch AMG wheel design is also available.

　　The EQS stands as a solid choice for a luxury EV alongside other options such as the aforementioned Model S plus the Audi e-tron GT, all-new BMW i7 and Porsche Taycan. Read our Expert Rating below to learn if it's a good fit for you.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.2

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the EQS drive? The EQS drives a lot like a typical large luxury sedan. Power from the EQS 450+, which is what we tested, is similar to what you might expect from a conventional gas-powered six-cylinder engine. In zzdcar' testing, the EQS 450+ reached 60 mph from a standstill in 5.7 seconds. While that's certainly adequate, most luxury EVs are capable of considerably quicker acceleration. Performance from the EQS 580 or AMG EQS should be more satisfying.

　　The braking experience in the EQS is odd. You can adjust the amount of regenerative braking (it slows the car down using the electric motor and recoups some electricity in the process) but the EQS' brake pedal moves in accordance with the amount of regen braking you select. So when you go to press on the brakes, the pedal is sometimes already halfway to the floor. Ultimate braking performance, though, is quite good. Our test car stopped from 60 mph in an admirable 111 feet. But note that the pedal travel is quite long and requires a heavy push with your foot.

　　The EQS 450+ won't be a sedan that will have you seeking out curvy roads. The steering is light but accurate and has good straight-line stability. This luxury sedan is best for straight cruising on the highway.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the EQS? Comfort is a strong suit of this large Benz. The front seats offer a wide range of adjustment and a good blend of firm but forgiving cushions. The EQS is also one of the quietest cars we've tested, with minimal outside noise making its way into the cabin. The ride quality is smooth, though we think the S-Class is ultimately a bit better at smoothing out bumps in the road.

　　The climate control is almost all touchscreen-based but is easier to use than most touchscreen interfaces. There's a screen that provides real-time air quality inside and outside of the cabin, which we found very cool. Both the seat heat and ventilation functions are very effective, and the optional massaging feature is helpful to keep the blood flowing on longer drives. Disappointingly, the EQS 450+'s rear seats don't have any controls or separate settings unless you opt for the top Pinnacle trim.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below