Mercedes EQS review

Mercedes EQS verdict

Mercedes was the first premium player to launch a large electric luxury limousine when the EQS went on sale in 2021. On paper, it’s an accomplished all-rounder, with a long range, fast charging, plus a premium-feeling interior loaded with tech. But while that’s all well and good, the subsequent launch of the BMW i7 has proved it’s possible to offer all of that, plus a genuinely engaging driving experience and a spacious rear cabin.

The Mercedes EQS is still a worthy flagship for the brand, however, and the dazzling Hyperscreen infotainment system needs to be seen to be believed. If you want a luxurious, long-range, futuristic-feeling grand tourer, Merc’s offering brings with it plenty of appeal.

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Range details, specs and alternatives

Mercedes is embracing the electric future, with plans to introduce an EV in every segment by 2025, before transitioning to an electric-only brand by the end of the decade. To usher in the zero-emissions era, the company has launched what it believes is the ultimate luxury EV: the completely new, designed-from-the-ground-up EQS.

The EQS’ arch rival is the BMW i7, which we named the Best Luxury Electric Car for 2023 and surpasses the Merc in a few key areas for a luxury limousine. The Tesla Model S saloon is another competitor because of its similar focus on range and technology, though it isn’t as luxurious as the EQS. The Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan are also flagship electric saloons, and certain versions can be just as expensive as the EQS, but they’re both smaller and sportier than the Mercedes.

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There are two versions available in the UK: the ‘entry-level’ EQS 450+ gets a single 324bhp electric motor powering the rear wheels only. Then there's the EQS 53 4MATIC+, cooked up by the AMG performance division, with two electric motors (one on each axle) producing 751bhp and 1,020Nm; we’ve reviewed it separately here. There's also a non-AMG EQS 580 4MATIC that produces 516bhp, but it's not available to UK buyers.

Thanks to both a very aerodynamic body and a gigantic 107.8kWh battery, the EQS boasts a Tesla-troubling 464-mile range for the rear-drive 450+ model and around 350 miles for the sportier AMG version. For reference, the latest Tesla Model S Long Range is capable of just over 400 miles, while the bigger battery Porsche Taycan variants can only just crack 300 miles.

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The EQS 450+ is offered with a choice of five trims: AMG Line, AMG Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus, Luxury and Exclusive Luxury. Even the cheapest models cost more than £100,000, but for that you get 20-inch wheels, keyless go, a panoramic roof, LED lights and rear-wheel steering designed to improve manoeuvrability around town, as well as stability at higher speeds. Inside, you get heated leather front and rear seats, and a twin-screen infotainment system.

Moving up the range adds luxuries like bigger wheels, digital lights, additional parking cameras and a Burmester stereo. Luxury-spec cars swap out the AMG Line’s sporty styling for additional chrome and unique 22-inch wheels, plus acoustic glass, and comfort seats, plus open-pore wood for the dashboard. 

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The full-fat AMG 53 model is the raciest of the lot, with unique styling and wheels, red brake callipers, climatised seats and that eye-catching Hyperscreen infotainment setup. Prices for these cars start from more than £160,000. 

For more on the Mercedes EQS, read on for the rest of our in-depth review…