2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan Test Drive Review: The Range King Of Full-Size Sedans

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan, with its easily curved form, is the model’s flagship electrical automobile – sibling to the long-lasting S-Class however powered by electrical motors. We’re undecided why Mercedes selected a wholly completely different title, form, and engineering philosophy, although. This has all the time been our massive query about all the Mercedes EQ technique, which has taken a far completely different path than German rival BMW, which treats its EVs as a powertrain alternative inside their acquainted mannequin lineup as an alternative.

Mercedes was the primary to launch a full-size electrical luxurious sedan with the EQS, nevertheless it now faces direct competitors within the type of the 2024 BMW i7, a automotive we known as “so good it ruins different luxurious EVs.” It is also value mentioning that the marginally smaller (and cheaper) Lucid Air lately blew us away when it comes to price-to-luxury worth.

That being stated, the EQS Sedan nonetheless holds some benefits over its Bavarian up to date. The EQS boasts a 352-mile max driving vary, a large 56-inch Hyperscreen, and one of many largest trunks ever fitted to a full-size flagship sedan. To search out out if the EQS Sedan nonetheless holds up as the top luxurious electrical automotive, we examined a base 2024 EQS 450+ for every week.

Exterior: An Aerodynamic Egg

To realize the EQS Sedan’s excellent vary numbers, Mercedes designers had been instructed to provide essentially the most aerodynamic automotive attainable. After crunching wind tunnel knowledge, the designers got here again with a form that we have heard different journos describe as an egg, a molten lozenge, and a jellybean. It isn’t what we might name conventionally fairly, however that is the worth to pay for higher aero… besides the EQS Sedan’s record-low 0.20 drag coefficient has since been outmatched by the Lucid Air, which seems to be regular – no, it seems to be attractive.

We want Mercedes would have taken a step again throughout the design course of and sacrificed that drag quantity to construct a prettier automotive. Our tester is definitely one of many extra well-optioned examples we have seen; it is the entry-level EQS and was specced with bigger 21-inch AMG multispoke wheels for $1,100, an AMG Line Exterior Bundle for $3,000, and MANUFAKTUR Patagonia Purple metallic paint for $1,750. That crimson paint may appear too costly, however Mercedes sells even pricier paints that price $6,500. Normal wheels are 20-inch objects.

For 2025, Mercedes will give the EQS its first facelift, together with a extra standard grille and three-pointed star hood decoration. These modifications make the EQS look barely extra like an S-Class, nevertheless it nonetheless retains the odd form. Both means, it is an enchancment to our eyes.

Inside: Screens, Screens, & Extra Screens

Mercedes has gone all in on screens, and it is obvious once you step contained in the EQS. The three-part MBUX Hyperscreen now comes customary on the EQS, combining a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 17.7-inch infotainment system, and 12.3-inch passenger show underneath a single piece of glass. Visually, it seems to be nice, nevertheless it would not present considerably extra performance than a smaller unit.

The passenger display, whereas novel as an idea, would not present any further performance that is not accessible on the middle show. You should use it to look at YouTube or play video games like Tetris, however solely whereas stopped as a result of the motive force can nonetheless see it whereas in movement. We famous that the display will get extraordinarily scorching when sitting within the solar; fortunately, you possibly can management most main features through voice command or a contact controller on the steering wheel. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come customary, and also you hearken to music through a potent 15-speaker Burmester 3D Encompass sound audio system with Dolby Atmos.

As anticipated of an EV that is speculated to be on-par with an S-Class, the EQS Sedan boasts a high-quality inside, which turns into much more premium when geared up with our tester’s MANUFAKTUR Unique Nappa leather-based upholstery – a part of a $9,400 Signature Inside Bundle. The seats ship heating and air flow up entrance as customary, whereas therapeutic massage features are non-compulsory. There are plush pillows on the headrests, however they miss out on the 4D audio discovered within the gas-powered S-Class. Whereas the EQS is nicer than most EVs, it feels a half notch beneath the S-Class when it comes to general match and end.

Practicality: Hatchback > Sedan

Not like any of its full-size sedan contemporaries, the EQS Sedan boasts a hatchback-style trunk moderately than a traditional sedan cargo maintain. An enormous hatch opening reveals 22 cubic ft of area, a lot better than the BMW i7’s 17.7 cubes. There’s even further storage underneath the ground within the EQS to retailer a charging cable. Two digital switches within the trunk make it simple to fold the rear seats in a 60/40 break up, opening up 63 cubes, although we’re shocked the EQS cannot elevate the seats again up through energy at this worth level. Just like the i7, the EQS sedan would not have a frunk; so as to add windshield wiper fluid, there is a separate door on the entrance quarter panel.

Mercedes prioritized cargo over passenger consolation, which is an odd transfer given the section the place this automotive competes. The EQS has a great deal of trunk area – although the Lucid Air, regardless of being a barely smaller automotive, presents much more. And one has to wonder if cargo area in a luxurious full-size sedan is the largest precedence?

Entrance legroom bests the i7 by half an inch, however the BMW wins again some factors with acres of rear legroom – almost 2.5 inches over what the EQS has. You’ll be able to add therapeutic massage and air flow to the rear seats for simply $200, however this selection was not geared up to our tester, that means the seats had been heated solely. BMW nonetheless wins in rear seat consolation with an accessible recliner and 38-inch theater display. In contrast, the EQS Sedan’s rear seats do not recline almost as a lot, although Mercedes will add extra adjustability for the 2025 mannequin 12 months plus extra seat foam.

Efficiency: Going The Distance

Mercedes at the moment presents the EQS Sedan in 4 energy configurations (though we think about the AMG model individually). We spent the week within the base EQS 450+, a single-motor rear-drive variant that produces 355 horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque. It is the slowest of the bunch at 5.8 seconds to 60 mph, although we recorded a 5.62-second time in our unbiased testing.

One mannequin up within the vary, the EQS 450 4MATIC provides a second electrical motor on the entrance axle, protecting the identical horsepower ranking however rising the torque to 590 lb-ft. The added torque drops the 0 to 60 time by half a second at a value of simply seven miles of vary. If you need AWD, we might suggest spending somewhat further on the EQS 580 4MATIC. It boasts 536 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque, hitting 60 mph in simply 4.1 seconds and matching the 450 4MATIC with 345 miles of vary. The AMG EQS tops the lineup with 649 hp and 700 lb-ft (751 hp and 752 lb-ft with launch management).

The EQS is underrated in additional methods than one, because the 450+ mannequin’s 352-mile EPA-rated vary seemed to be decrease than the actual world quantity; the in-car show confirmed a max vary of 504 miles with 100% cost. That quantity may be a bit optimistic, however the EQS Sedan ought to simply go over 400 miles on a cost from its sizable 108.4 kWh battery. These unusual aero-inspired seems to be pay dividends in vary.

The EQS costs at a peak velocity of 200 kW, that means it can go from 10% to 80% cost in round 31 minutes. On a Degree 2 house charger, it can take round 11.5 homes to go from 10% to 100% at 9.6 kW.

Driving Impressions: Gentle Silence

Normal Airmatic Air Suspension with an Adaptive Dampening System delivers a comfortable trip, although the EQS is susceptible to some odd secondary rebound, that means it bounces again from a bump, then takes a second to completely settle. Even with the bigger 21-inch wheels, the suspension does a commendable job absorbing imperfections and softening them to a barely recognizable diploma. The 450+ may be the least peppy EQS, nevertheless it nonetheless delivers a powerful punch off the road that will not crush your head into these built-in pillows. Drivers can go for silent acceleration or activate one in every of three sound experiences: Silver Waves (sci-fi noises), Vivid Flux (a deeper hum), and Roaring Pulse (imitating a gasoline engine). These sounds get a bit louder in Sport mode, however aren’t annoying except you go full throttle.

Whereas we love how even the bottom EQS goes, we’re much less enamored by the way it stops. The brake pedal is troublesome to modulate easily, particularly with regeneration turned on. Mercedes truly packages the pedal to maneuver throughout regen, so it is by no means fairly the place you anticipate it to be; this could truly be surprising in the event you aren’t prepared for it. There’s additionally an Clever Mode for the regenerative brakes, which pulls the automotive right down to an acceptable velocity primarily based on the automotive in entrance (like adaptive cruise management).

The steering is mild with a man-made really feel, which is okay for this class of car. Rear-wheel steering as much as 10 levels helps the EQS shrink throughout slow-speed maneuvers reminiscent of parking. It is a comfy cruiser moderately than a sporty driver, so go for the AMG mannequin in the event you want background thrills.

Pricing & Verdict: Luxurious Achieved In a different way

Because the EQS Sedan is the flagship electrical mannequin within the Mercedes lineup, it is priced accordingly. The EQS 450+ begins at $104,400, and it solely prices $3,000 extra for the 4MATIC mannequin. Provided that the 4MATIC will get extra torque and solely loses seven miles of vary, we expect it is properly well worth the worth. If shopping for a six-figure automotive is not an issue for you, stepping as much as the EQS 580 4MATIC may not be a stretch for $127,350. The 580 brings the acceleration to extra thrilling ranges with out compromising on vary.

Even at these costs, there are nonetheless many choices so as to add. Our 450+ exceeded the 580’s worth with an as-tested MSRP of $128,010 (together with the $1,120 supply payment). The $9,400 MANUFAKTUR Signature Inside was the largest possibility, however there have been loads of different add-ons.

The BMW i7 is essentially the most comparable automobile, beginning at $105,700 for the eDrive50 mannequin, which delivers extra energy than the EQS 450+ however a decrease vary. The xDrive60 produces precisely the identical energy because the EQS 580, however is slower to 60 mph and would not go as far on a cost. Mercedes wins in opposition to BMW on vary, however we desire the i7’s extra standard styling, cabin structure, and rear consolation. However, in the event you worth charging velocity, vary, and cargo capability, the EQS Sedan is the superior electrical flagship.