2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The EQS brings to mind the “jellybean” sedans of the 1990s, but it’s not making a retro fashion statement. Mercedes emphasized aerodynamics, sweeping back the windshield, closing off the grille, and giving the EQS a flat underbody. That resulted in a very low drag coefficient of 0.20. Less aerodynamic drag means less energy is needed to push the car through the air. When it comes to maximizing range, every little bit counts.

That devotion to the wind tunnel also means that the EQS looks sleeker and more futuristic than the more traditionally styled S-Class. However, it’s still a large, imposing car that’s actually quite tall (likely to accommodate the battery pack). The massive Mercedes star on the grille also makes it unlikely that bystanders will mistake this car for anything else. For anyone who doesn't get the hint, closer inspection reveals a cluster of tiny stars surrounding it.

You can also get aerodynamic wheel covers (necessary to achieve the lowest drag coefficient) with a similar star pattern. Mercedes offers 20-inch, 21-inch, and 22-inch wheels, which sit flush to the tires for maximum aerodynamic efficiency (and maximum potential for curb rash).

While it looks radically different, the EQS is fairly close to the S-Class in size. The EV is 0.6 of an inch wider and stands 0.3 of an inch taller than its gasoline counterpart. The S-Class is 0.3 of an inch longer than the EQS, which translates to an extra inch of wheelbase length.

The interior of the EQS has the same luxurious appearance as the S-Class cabin does, with leather upholstery, stately wood trim, panoramic glass roof, and an optional 64-color ambient lighting system. You can even get (very comfy!) headrest pillows. However, Mercedes went for a more elaborate design, shaping a curved dashboard around the massive, dashboard-scanning Hyperscreen display and fitting it with large round air vents that look like they could propel a small aircraft.

The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) EQS 450+ gets 329 horsepower and 419 pound-feet of torque from its single motor. The EQS 580 has two electric motors, one for each axle, giving it all-wheel drive (AWD) and a combined output of 516 hp and 631 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes says the EQS 450+ will do zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, while the EQS 580 will make the sprint in 4.1 seconds. Both versions have a 130-mph top speed.

Those acceleration times won’t set the luxury EV world on fire, but both EQS models felt plenty quick in the real world. As with all electric cars, instant torque delivered a visceral feel that the numbers don’t adequately explain. Plus, Mercedes produced an artificial soundtrack that makes merging onto a highway feel like you’ve just engaged warp drive.

Because it’s the electric S-Class, the EQS was designed more for comfort than outright performance. Even with its fairly large wheels and low-profile tires, the EQS delivered great ride quality. Mercedes also kept wind and road noise to a minimum, which isn’t easy when you don’t have an internal-combustion engine to mask those sounds. The seat massagers and HVAC fans did punctuate the silence, however.

The EQS also gets some of the chassis hardware from the latest S-Class, including standard air suspension and rear-wheel steering that can turn the back wheels up to 10 degrees. Together, the suspension and the rear-axle steering produced both a comfortable ride and impressive handling. While the cars we drove did feel a bit floaty on the highway, switching to Sport mode cured that. The EQS boasts excellent body control, and it felt like a much smaller car in the corners.

With its regenerative braking setup, Mercedes sought to strike a balance between efficiency and familiarity for drivers transitioning from internal-combustion cars. The standard level of regenerative braking doesn’t allow for one-pedal driving. The default settings also allow the car to creep forward when you lift your foot off the brake pedal, just like a gasoline vehicle. Turn off the creep function and flick the paddle shifters to enable more regen, and you can manage one-pedal driving in certain situations.

Mercedes also included an “intelligent” regenerative braking setting that increases regen when the car detects another vehicle ahead. It’s a bit like using adaptive cruise control. The system will also allow the car to coast when that is deemed more efficient and the road ahead is unobstructed. That worked a bit too well, in our experience. The EQS is so aerodynamic that it doesn’t noticeably decelerate when you take your foot off the right pedal, which can be a bit disconcerting at first.

Mercedes did not provide complete interior measurements for the EQS, but we can at least confirm that it offers the same front legroom as an S-Class, with less headroom. That’s likely due to the aggressively sloped roof.

That roof line likely eats into rear-seat headroom as well. The back seats are also positioned fairly high compared to the front seats, creating a somewhat SUV-like feel. Still, buyers who prefer to be driven rather than drive themselves can opt for the EQS Exclusive trim level, which adds power-adjustable heated and ventilated rear seats with memory, a larger rear center armrest with wireless phone charging, extra rear USB-C ports, and “comfort” rear headrests.

While it is considered a sedan, the EQS actually has a rear hatch instead of a trunk, which opens to reveal a long but narrow cargo area. With 22 cubic feet, the EQS offers more cargo space than the internal-combustion Mercedes S-Class. You can also fold the rear seats to get 63 cubic feet of cargo space.

What you don’t get is a front trunk. In fact, the hood doesn’t even open. On the inside, Mercedes raised up the center console, leaving a handy storage area below. Slide the wood-paneled console open, and you get another small nook that hides a wireless phone charger. However, Mercedes didn’t leave enough room for the buttons that control functions like the drive modes and audio volume. They require an awkward arm twist to reach.

The EQS doesn’t have the majestic prow of more traditional luxury sedans, but we still found it difficult to see over the stubby hood due to the tall cowl height. The narrow rear window limited rearward visibility as well, so it looks like owners will be relying on the EQS’s cameras and parking sensors more than most.

Besides its electric powertrain, the standout feature of the 2022 EQS is the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) Hyperscreen infotainment system. Standard on the EQS 580 and a $7,200 option on the EQS 450+, it consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 17.7-inch main touchscreen, and 12.3-inch front-passenger touchscreen. That adds up to a 56-inch display, which Mercedes claims is the largest in a production car.

If you don’t opt for the Hyperscreen, the base EQS 450+ still comes with the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central touchscreen, but no front passenger screen. All EQS models also get standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio (separate subscription required) and a Burmester audio system. An optional head-up display can project arrows when using the navigation system.

Mercedes designed the Hyperscreen layout around what it calls the “Zero Layer” concept, with most information shown on different areas of the screen at once. For example, if you’re using the augmented reality navigation system, the map will take up most of the main screen, with smaller tiles for audio and phone functions overlaid. This means you don’t have to dig through menus to access common functions. Mercedes said the system can also learn user habits and pull up functions automatically.

While it can appear overwhelming on a first drive, The Hyperscreen was pretty straightforward to use. The main benefit over other infotainment systems is really for the passenger, as they can do things, like set the climate control for their side of the cabin or listen to music through Bluetooth-connected headphones, independently. The sheer size of the main touchscreen was also helpful when using the navigation system.

However, it did take some time to find certain pieces of information, or to figure out the function of things like the air-quality readout nestled among several other things along the bottom of the screen. We also found the voice assistant—which responds to the prompt “Hey Mercedes”—to be slow to respond.

Crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) aren’t available yet. The EQS likely won’t be a priority for these safety organizations because it’s an expensive, low-volume model.

Standard driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control (with steering assist), blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, a driver-attention monitor, parking assist, and a surround-view camera system. If a crash is imminent, Mercedes’s Pre-Safe predictive occupant protection system is designed to minimize the chance of injuries.

Official EPA range figures are 350 miles for the EQS 450+ and 340 miles for the EQS 580 (efficiency figures weren’t available at the time of publication). That’s not enough to give Mercedes bragging rights over the Tesla Model S, which tops 400 miles in Long Range form, but it's still impressive for an EV, let alone a big luxury sedan.

The EQS can charge at 9.6 kilowatts on a 240-volt Level 2 AC source, allowing for a 10% to 80% charge in about 11 hours, according to Mercedes. The EQS can also DC fast charge at up to 200 kW, enabling a 10% to 80% charge in 30 minutes, and it supports Plug & Charge, Mercedes said. EQS first owners and lessees get unlimited 30-minute DC fast-charging sessions when they plug in at Electrify America stations for two years after the activation of a Mercedes Me account.

Mercedes offers a four-year, 50,000-mile new vehicle warranty and a 10-year, 155,000-mile warranty on the 107.8-kwh battery that comes with both versions of the EQS. That’s among the most generous battery coverage in the industry.

Pricing starts at $103,360 for the EQS 450+ and $120,160 for the EQS 580 in Premium trim (all prices include a mandatory $1,050 destination charge). The mid-level Exclusive trim starts at $106,670 for the EQS 450+ and $123,560 for the EQS 580. The Pinnacle trim level, which mostly adds convenience features for rear-seat passengers, starts at $109,560 for the EQS 450+ and $126,360 for the EQS 580.

As with most luxury cars, the EQS is not a great value proposition. While the base EQS 450+ Premium does come with a long list of standard equipment, you still have to pay extra for the Hyperscreen display. Despite the six-figure base MSRP, Mercedes also requires both EQS 450+ and EQS 580 buyers to upgrade to the Exclusive trim level for massaging seats, four-zone climate control, and a head-up display.

It’s also worth noting that the Tesla Model S Long Range offers 405 miles of range for about $20,000 less. However, the Model S can’t match the EQS when it comes to luxury. Mercedes charges more money, but it also gives you more car.