The EQS is Mercedes-Benz’s flagship electric luxury car – a battery-powered equivalent to the iconic S-Class. First introduced in 2022, the EQS has received updates for the 2024 model year.
Performance and drive
The most significant change is an increase to the size of the model’s already large EV battery. Previously 108.4kWh, the capacity has now been increased to an enormous 118kWh, allowing this 2.7-tonne, 5.2-metre-long vehicle to cover more than 480 miles between charges in official WLTP testing (or nearly 450 miles with the Business Line equipment grade tested here).
With the new larger battery, the EQS comes with a 360hp powertrain output (a 292hp version comes with a 96kWh battery, or there’s a massive 658hp available with the Mercedes-AMG performance model). On the road, even the 360hp version can deliver quick and unrelenting acceleration, which is highly impressive given the model’s aforementioned size and weight.
Perhaps even more surprisingly given those factors, the EQS also handles positively, feeling willing to turn into corners and with tenacious grip. It’s also more manoeuvrable than you’d expect at low-speed, thanks to a useful rear-wheel steering system – should you need to perform a U-turn for instance, it feels more like you’re in a small hatchback than a luxury limo.
As for ride comfort – surely more of a priority really with a car like this – it is generally good, but not the last word in smoothness we were hoping for. With the 22in alloy wheels fitted with the Business Line grade it feels a little less forgiving than you’d expect over expansion joints. You also sometimes get a soft ‘echo’ of a bump after passing over it via the suspension, likely due to the inherent challenges of provide comfort with this heavy a car and those wheels.
Design and interior
Exterior design changes with the updated EQS include a new radiator cover with chrome detailing with the Business Line grade, and an upright Mercedes star emblem on the bonnet. Despite these updates, we’d suggest it’s still not the most exciting design, though perhaps this suits those who want their luxury car to blend into the background – save for those big alloys.
The EQS comes as standard with the Mercedes Hyperscreen set-up, which combines a 12.3in driver display, a 17.7in infotainment screen, and a 12.3in front passenger screen across a wide expanse of dashboard. The central screen in particular is highly impressive visually, and also logically laid out, making it straightforward to use. It is mounted relatively low down on the dashboard, and therefore quite far from the driver’s eye line, but a comprehensive head-up display (standard with all but entry-level cars) makes up for that.
The EQS’s interior is trimmed to a high standard throughout, with leather, gloss plastic, and even maple wood trim on our test car. Also, while this might be a more discreet feature than some of the other in-cabin technology, we found LED lighting for the seatbelt sockets to be a useful touch.
Our test car also had the optional Extended Rear Luxury Lounge Package, which following the update includes a new slanted footrest, along with features such as a 38-degree adjustable rear seat backrest. Space in the back is very good generally, and rear passengers also benefit from their own extensive climate controls.
A 620-litre boot is impressively large, though there is quite a high loading lip. Interestingly the EQS is a hatchback rather than the more usual saloon.
As an electric luxury car, the obvious rival for the EQS is the BMW i7. An equivalent spec version of the BMW will be more expensive to buy – but comes with a much more powerful motor. However, no i7 has an official range over 400 miles, giving the Mercedes a clear advantage in that regard.
Positive: Extensive EV range, surprising performance and handling, impressive and useful infotainment
Negative: Ride not always perfect, design might underwhelm
Standard equipment: MBUX multimedia system with MBUX Hyperscreen and 5G communications module, Memory Package for front seats, heated front and rear seats, electrically adjustable front and rear seats, Burmester 3D Surround Sound System, soft-close doors, Driving Assistance Package Plus, keyless go, Parking Package with 360-degree camera, acoustic privacy glass, active ambient lighting, Digital Light LED headlights, Air Quality Package, heat pump, Thermotronic automatic climate control, panoramic sliding sunroof.
Engines: Electric: 292hp, 360hp
Equipment grades: AMG Line Premium, AMG Line Premium Plus, Business Class
Transmissions: Single-speed automatic
| Model | Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ Business Class |
| P11D | £119,505 |
| Residual value | 42.1% |
| Depreciation | £69,205 |
| Fuel | £3,702 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | £4,306 |
| Cost per mile | 128.68p |
| Range | 444 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (2%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £40/£80 |
| Luggage capacity | 620 litres |
| Battery size/power | 118kWh/360hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
