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
| Euro NCAP | Adult protection | Child protection | Safety 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.
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.