The new electric Mercedes S-Class, also known as the EQS, has finally received an official range rating from the Environmental Protection Agency. Just a few weeks ago, Kyle put out a review of the EQS 450+ on the Out of Spec Reviews’ Youtube channel. This is the first vehicle to utilize the German automaker’s new EV platform, and it is fantastic.
Specs and Performance
Offered in two powertrains with three trims each, the 2022 EQS comes as either a rear-drive 329-hp, dubbed the EQS 450+, or an all-wheel-drive 516-hp powertrain called the EQS580 4-matic. Both utilize a 107.8kWh liquid-cooled, lithium-ion battery. The “slow one” creates 406 pound-feet of torque while the 4matic pushes 611. “Slow”, in this case, meaning a 5.5 second 0-60 time. For $120K one can get into the 580 4-matic which will get you to 60 mph 1.1 seconds quicker.
During his drive of the EQS 450+, Kyle commented multiple times on how quick the car felt, even with 5,000 pounds of curb weight. The air suspension and 10-degree rear wheel turning makes the all-electric sedan feel very well-composed in both city driving and on twisty roads.
It was on those twisty roads that Kyle also discovered that the EQS is, in fact, driftable. In Sport+ mode and with traction control off, it is possible to get the massive, all-electric sedan sideways. Safely, of course.
Charging and Mileage
That 107.8 kWh architecture allows for the EQS450+ to travel up to 350 miles on a single charge and the EQS580 to be rated at 340 miles. These official EPA numbers are a bit interesting, as typically electric vehicles gain range with all-wheel drive, due to the onboard computers being able to pick which motors can drive the car most efficiently at that particular time.
According to Car and Driver, the battery architecture has the ability to recharge from 10 to 80 percent within 35 minutes using a DC-fast charger. Doing a quick bit of math, that’s roughly gaining 245 miles in half an hour. Tesla’s superchargers still claim more mileage in less time, but Mercedes’ numbers are impressive nonetheless.
This EPA rating puts the EQS behind the Tesla Model S and it’s 405 miles of range and well behind the new Lucid Air’s estimated 517 miles, but 350 is nothing to scoff at.
Design and Interior
On the outside, the Mercedes EQS looks a bit “slopey”. It’s not bad, but it’s not gorgeous. That being said, it’s the most aerodynamic vehicle currently out, so we can mark that up to function over form. I’ve also never been keen on Mercedes’ design language, so I’ll be honest about my bias.
The interior however, that is an entirely different ballgame. It doesn’t just look like a first-class trans-continental flight. It looks like a first-class spaceship. With massaging seats, ambient interior lighting, headrest pillows, and a cinema-sized digital display aptly dubbed the Hyperscreen, one might confuse the EQS with the USS Enterprise.
The driver dashboard is customizable and the heads up display offers the operator a plethora of information. However, Kyle noted that all of this information is not overwhelming. That is impressive, as a good user-experience can sometimes get lost in the quest for exceptional technical quality.
In addition to an exquisite interior, one can enjoy said interior in near silence. During Kyle’s low-speed test he noted that cars whizzing by on the road in front of him were nothing more than slight whispers within the cabin of the EQS. In my opinion, luxury is more than just nice seats and quality materials. Without the proper ambiance, a “luxury” car can just simply be expensive.
Final Thoughts
The Mercedes EQS is probably one of the most well put together and luxurious electric vehicles out there. If not one of the most luxurious vehicles, period. Kyle was impressed with how “fully baked”, as he put it, the pre-production model is. It felt 100% done, not “nearly done”.
That is why Mercedes has stuck around for so long. It’s what they do. Kyle’s only negatives were the vehicle’s exterior design and the strange blending of electric and friction braking when recuperation (regenerative braking) was turned up. Everything else was, expectedly, exceptional.
This car has made me have a new appreciation for Mercedes as a brand. Sure, the EQS is outside of most consumer’s price range, but what blows me away is that even at $120,000, the amenities and engineering you receive from this vehicle is well worth the price.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
