2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

　　

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiSenior Vehicle Test Editor

　　Kurt Niebuhr has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. A automotive photographer by trade, Kurt is now one of zzdcar' high-performance test drivers. He's driven and photographed hundreds, if not thousands, of vehicles all over the world, so Kurt's library of automotive experiences would certainly make for a good book. When not dreaming about getting his racing license or trying to buy out-of-date film for his cameras, Kurt can usually be found cursing at his 1966 Mustang.

　　The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is the largest all-electric vehicle in the carmaker's lineup. This three-row luxury SUV is similar in size to its gasoline-powered GLS equivalent, but its styling is shaped with greater emphasis on aerodynamics. The rounded corners and sleeker shape contribute greatly to the EQS' efficiency, helping it to achieve between 285 and 305 miles of estimated range, which is comparable to its few rivals.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV EV Insights

Trim:EQS SUV EQS 450+

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

　　

Range

 zzdcar TESTED

　　360 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 306 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

　　12.8 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

　　$85/mo

　　EQS SUV

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　SUV 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.

　　Inside, the EQS SUV delivers everything you'd expect from a premium luxury SUV. The layout is similar to other electric models in Mercedes' lineup, with a large tablet-like infotainment touchscreen attracting a lot of attention. There's also the optional all-glass dashboard Hyperscreen that adds a definite wow factor with its futuristic aesthetic, but we suggest skipping it because of its distracting reflections. Excellent materials quality and a sturdy construction are defining Mercedes characteristics and are on full display here too.

　　Of course none of this comes cheaply, and the EQS SUV is one of the more expensive all-electric SUVs with a starting price above $100,000. That's almost $30,000 more than the GLS, making it difficult, if not impossible, to recoup that premium in fuel savings over many years. Most EQS shoppers will be more motivated by driving an environmentally friendly vehicle anyway, and two years of free 30-minute charges on the Electrify America network can certainly mitigate that hefty starting price.

　　There aren't many rivals in the three-row EV class, and each has its own niche and personality. The EQS should appeal to those seeking ultimate luxury, while the Rivian R1S gains a following with its impressive off-road capabilities. Meanwhile, the Tesla Model X opts for novelty with its awkward rear gullwing doors. There's also the smaller two-row BMW iX for those who don't need as much space. And Kia's intriguing EV9 will be in showrooms by year's end. But if you need to shuttle six adults around in pampered luxury, the EQS SUV is the most well-rounded choice in this limited group.

　　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

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the EQS SUV drive? We tested the base version of the EQS SUV, which is the EQS 450+. At our test track, it proved to be pretty slow by luxury EV standards, needing 6.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. But there's still enough power here to make routine driving stress-free, and the more powerful EQS SUV 450 4Matic and 580 versions are available should you want quicker acceleration. We were also impressed with this SUV's easy-to-drive nature as well as its relatively nimble handling and strong emergency braking capabilities.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the EQS SUV? The EQS SUV is supremely comfortable. It takes full advantage of near-silent EV propulsion and provides its occupants with a serene driving environment. Our test vehicle had the optional Acoustic Comfort package that includes sound-reducing windows, and we highly recommend getting it. Ride comfort is another strength for the EQS. Our test vehicle was pretty unfazed by bumps and ruts on the road.

　　Three-zone climate control is standard, but four- and five-zone (with the optional third row of seating) systems are available. The climate controls are pretty easy to use, and airflow from the vents is excellent.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below