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In-depth reviews

Mercedes EQS review: reliability & safety rating

As you’d expect from a Mercedes, the EQS is overflowing with technology and safety systems, the result of which is the maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating

Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Reliability & safety rating rating

4.0 out of 5

Euro NCAPAdult protectionChild protectionSafety assistance
5 stars (2021)96%91%80%

Technologically, the EQS is a worthy flagship for the Mercedes brand. Underneath its futuristic bodywork is an all-new electric-car platform, and inside it’s crammed with the latest technology and safety systems, the result of which is an impressive five-star Euro NCAP rating. 

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Unfortunately, the brand’s dealerships and some of its most popular models didn’t shower themselves in glory in the 2023 Driver Power survey – Mercedes definitely has some work to do on customer satisfaction.

Mercedes EQS reliability & problems

We’ve yet to get any long-term reliability data on the EQS itself, largely due to the fact its high price means it sells in relatively low numbers. But Mercedes as a brand recorded a disappointing result in the most recent Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, coming 25th out of 32 on the list of best manufacturers in our 2023 rundown – a two-place drop on the previous year.

The biggest customer complaints surrounded interior quality – something we’ve particularly criticised the smaller EQE for. Roughly 28% of Mercedes owners reported a fault with their cars within the first year of ownership, which is above average. Perhaps most interesting is that around 33% of complaints were regarding electrical faults; despite the fact EVs are supposed to be more reliable than petrol-powered cars, this isn’t exactly a good sign for the EQS.

Safety

On the safety front, the EQS was awarded the maximum five-star score after going through Euro NCAP crash testing. Adult and child occupant scores were 96% and 91% respectively and the car's active collision-avoidance technology earned it an 80% score in the safety assist category. Protection of vulnerable road users (i.e. pedestrians and cyclists) was rated at 76%.

Those exceptionally high scores aren’t surprising when you appreciate the wealth of safety features and systems fitted to Mercedes’ electric flagship. Even the entry-level model gets Mercedes’ Driving Assistance Package, which includes blind-spot monitoring, evasive steering assistance and adaptive cruise control.

Mercedes says one of the EQS’ biggest technological advancements is its Drive Pilot system, which makes the car capable of Level 3 'eyes-off' self-driving at up to 37mph. The system is only legal in Germany for the time being; it allows you to carry out small secondary activities while driving – for example, adjusting a setting on the car in slow motorway traffic.

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Richard is editor of DrivingElectric, as well as sister site Carbuyer.co.uk, and a regular contributor to Auto Express. An electric and hybrid car advocate, he spent more than five years working on the news and reviews desk at Auto Express and has driven almost every new car currently on sale.

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