Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Review: Electric Royalty

‘What’s in a name?’ wrote Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet. He meant to suggest that names are mere conventions, without any inherent meaning. This idea gains new relevance when applied to Mercedes-Benz cars, where a name carries both immense value and, paradoxically, very little at the same time. Let me explain.

When Mercedes-Benz attaches the letter ‘S’ to a car’s name, it’s a clear indication to brand aficionados that the car is the pinnacle of what they have to offer – arguably the best in its segment. This has long been true for the S-Class sedan and even the GLS – the brand’s flagship SUV – both powered by internal combustion engines. And, then, the electric push from the German automaker came about, and the EQS sedan was unveiled in 2021, which was intended to be the S-Class of electric cars. Fast forward to 2024, and Mercedes has launched another car, called…well, the EQS, but this time, it’s an SUV – the one you see here in the pictures. Interestingly, there is also an EQS available from their ultra-luxury Maybach division, along with the S-Class sedan and the GLS. You get the idea – there are a lot of ‘S’ models in the line-up. So, will it be fair to say that the EQS SUV is the electric SUV equivalent of the S-Class sedan or, perhaps, the GLS? Or is it something else entirely, suggesting that an ‘S’ in the name might not mean as much anymore? 

Buttery Smooth

At first glance, an untrained eye could easily mistake it for the Mercedes-Benz EQE. While I understand the logic of a cohesive family design language, in this case, the resemblance is too strong to ignore. Thankfully, the EQS SUV in India comes in a single trim – the 580 spec – which comes with the AMG styling kit as standard. This helps in making the EQS SUV recognisable from a distance.

A closer look reveals a connected light design at the front, paired with a massive blanked-out grille, adorned with the three-pointed stars emblem. When you look at the car from the side, you’d appreciate its true size – it’s so large that it dwarfs the massive 21-inch alloy wheels. 

At the rear, the biggest and, perhaps, the only highlight is the connected lights. Even though the AMG kit adds sporty bumpers, overall, the design feels somewhat plain, particularly when compared with its butch, brawny sibling with a combustion engine – the GLS. Mercedes claims that its shape makes the car as aerodynamically efficient as possible – an approach that’s common to all EQ models – in case you are wondering why the cars in their EV range have a bulbous shape.

A Class Apart

Put simply, there’s no other cabin that feels this futuristic – not even if you stretch your budget to ₹2 crore! The highlight, of course, is the expansive piece of glass spanning the entire width of the dashboard, housing three massive screens – a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch central touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system for the front passenger, also with haptic feedback. All of these screens are exceptionally good, with impeccable touch responsiveness, UI design, and display quality – there is simply nothing to fault. 

In our test car, everything around the screen was finished in white – though a beige option is also available – and it looked spectacular. However, keep in mind that maintaining all that white can be a bit of a challenge over time, so we’d recommend the beige option. Other stand-out features include a high-resolution Head-Up Display, which projects information – including navigation – onto the windscreen in full colour, as well as lavish and supremely comfortable front seats, which offer ‘hot stone massage’, memory function, heating, ventilation, and can be electrically adjusted in almost every direction. Speaking of features, it also comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera, nine airbags, and Level 2 ADAS. The overall interior quality lives up to the ‘S’ in its name. Tech lovers will be pleased to know that the rear passengers are provided with two wireless over-the-ear type headphones with noise cancellation, offering a true first-class infotainment experience.

The rear seats are significantly better than the EQS sedan in terms of the sheer amount of space on offer, but it’s still not as comfortable as the S-Class sedan. There are some odd misses too. For instance, there are no in-built blinds for the rear windows or the rear glass panel, and while the rear seats get the heating function, there’s no ventilation. You can’t adjust the front passenger seat through physical buttons from the back – it requires navigating through on-screen menus. Plus, there’s also no one-touch ‘boss mode’ or memory function. Overall, while it’s supremely comfortable, it doesn’t fully meet the high benchmark set by other flagship Mercedes offerings.

Where the EQS SUV gains ground is in practicality, thanks to its third row of seats. Getting into the third row is not too much of a hassle, however, the space is best suited for children or for short city trips for adults.

Nimble Giant

It packs a massive 122kWh battery pack, promising an impressive range of 809km per full charge (as per ARAI testing). In real-world conditions, this should translate to about 550 – 600km per charge, effectively eliminating range anxiety. As for charging, you can go from 0–100% in just 6 hours and 25 minutes using a 22kW AC charger – so, an overnight charge is all you need. If you use a 200kW DC fast charger, a 10 – 80% top-up takes just 31 minutes.

Incredibly, though, despite its hefty weight of around 2.8 tonnes, the EQS SUV is blistering fast. It sprints from 0 – 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h. This is thanks to its dual motor setup – one for each axle – delivering a combined output of 536bhp and an immense 858Nm of torque. Put the pedal to the metal, and the G-forces are guaranteed to bring a smile every time.

Once you do slow down, as your chauffeur might, the EQS transforms into a benchmark for how a car of this size and weight should be tuned. It features air suspension, allowing you to change the ride stiffness through different modes, but regardless of the mode you choose, the EQS always delivers a remarkably smooth experience. It handles road undulations with ease and tackles potholes like a champ. You can drive it, or be driven in, all day long without any discomfort. Given that it’s an SUV, there are no ground clearance issues – unlike the EQS sedan. Plus, with the addition of rear-axle steering, the EQS masks its size exceptionally well, even in tight surroundings. Overall, its driving manners will leave you thoroughly impressed – whether you are in the driver’s seat or relaxing in the back.

Verdict

To sum it all up, while the EQS SUV isn’t perfect – as it lacks a few key features and the styling might not appeal to traditional SUV lovers – it still is an excellent deal, particularly considering its price. At an introductory price of ₹1.41 crore, it is only ₹1.75 lakh more than the EQE SUV, owing to the fact that the EQS is assembled in India whereas the EQE is still an import. This effectively makes the EQE redundant. 
It packs brilliant performance, a truly impressive range, and offers the prestige of being an eco-warrior. So, if you are looking for a new luxury car, you simply have to give the EQS a try – it’s just that good. And yes, I am talking about the SUV.