Mercedes EQS SUV (2022). On board the premium electric SUV

Unlike its rivals Audi and BMW, which have launched into the high-end electric vehicle with SUVs (e-tron and iX), Mercedes preferred to highlight its historical expertise in large and comfortable sedans by unveiling the EQS limousine in the spring of 2021. However, it is difficult today to do without SUVs, even in the luxury segment. This is why the brand with the star decides to decline its zero-emission standard bearer in a raised versionwhich should undoubtedly further expand its customer base.

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A rather sober style

As its name suggests, this EQS SUV shares a lot with the EQS sedan and especially its EVA2 platform, which allows it to stretch over the same 3.21m wheelbase. With 5.12 m long, it is however shorter by 10 cm, while width and height are announced at 1.96 m and 1.72 m. In terms of design, the sight of this new electric behemoth does not cause any particular surprise. The overall silhouette appears very close to that of the Maybach EQS SUV concept, presented at the Munich Motor Show in September 2021, and it is fortunately rid of the many flashy chromes. Unlike the Munich rival with its recent iX, Mercedes did not indulge in caricature and that’s good!

The newcomer turns out to be quite sober in the end and looks more like a big EQA than an electrified GLS. We notice the full grille which descends quite low on the shield, while the rear lights form a band widening on the ends. As on the limousine, the aerodynamics have been particularly well cared for. On find in particular the flush door handles, which retract when the hand approaches. For those who would like to benefit from a more muscular style, an AMG Line finish will of course be available, with in particular more openwork shields and larger diameter rims.

An elevated EQS

It is especially in the passenger compartment that the relationship with the electric limousine seems obvious. The EQS SUV generally takes the same presentation as the sedan and sees the famous hyperscreen covering its entire dashboard. This glass plate, which spans 1.41m end to end, spans three screens : the 12.3-inch instrumentation facing the driver, the 17.7-inch central element and the 12.3-inch passenger screen. This equipment should be provided as standard on the top-of-the-range model and offered as an option on the other versions.

Apart from the seats that are logically higher than on the sedan, the layout is identical in the SUV, in particular welcoming the storage bin located under the floating center console. The quality of finish remains of a very high level, with beautiful materials and impeccable assemblies. Of course, the customer can personalize this case according to his wishes, thanks to multiple choices of upholstery and woodwork.

Room for seven passengers

Beyond the raised adventurer look, one of the great advantages of this model compared to the sedan from which it derives is to be able to carry up to seven passengers, thanks to a third row of seats. This will also be a significant argument against its rivals, because neither the BMW iX nor the Audi e-tron offer this possibility. In France, all EQS SUVs will have seven seats as standard, while this will be an option in many markets. Mercedes thus appears as the specialist in family electric SUVs, while Tesla does not decline the formula on the Model Y and the seven-passenger Model X has temporarily deserted the catalog. He will probably be back in 2023.

To access the back seats, you should not be in too much of a hurry. Indeed, you will first have to tilt and move the second row bench seat forward. A manipulation that necessarily takes more time when the controls are entirely electric. Like what, luxury requires a certain patience… Average-sized adults will then be able to travel in the third-row seats. without feeling too cramped, provided that the passengers in front are not too tall either. Because the 2/3-1/3 type split bench seat, which can slide over 13 cm, will then be in the forward position. Once this bench seat is moved back as far as possible, the space in the second row is naturally more generous.

In five-seat configuration, the trunk volume is announced for 565 I, extendable to 2020 l once the bench seat is folded down. Values ​​​​that are between those of the rivals iX (500 l) and e-tron (650 l), while these are limited to five places. Note that the bench seat and the third row seats can be folded down electrically from the hold.

Two engines at launch

Like the sedan, this EQS SUV will be launched in two versions: 450+ and 580 4Matic. The second has an electric motor on each axle and all-wheel drive, while the first is rear-wheel drive. Despite these identical names, the SUV benefits from a surplus of power compared to the sedan (which points to 333 and 524 hp). The 450+ model delivers 360 hp when the 580 4Matic develops 544 hp.

On the battery side, the SUV recovers the large 107.8 kWh battery from the sedan, always guaranteed for 10 years and 250,000 km. Although the autonomy figures are not yet communicated precisely, Mercedes promises a field of action that can exceed 600 km in the WLTP cycle. As a reminder, the EQS announces up to 780 km in its 450+ version. Finally, like the limousine, the EQS SUV will accept a maximum charge of 200 kW on a fast terminal.

Soon an EQE SUV to complete the range

While the veil has just been lifted on this new EQS SUV, Mercedes is already confirming to us that the next electric model to be released will be the SUV version of the EQE, which should be revealed in the fall of 2022. And it seems likely that this future model will remain very close to its big brother in terms of style, as is the case of the EQE sedan compared to the EQS.

One thing is certain, these two vehicles will be produced in the United States, like the GLE and GLS, in the Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant. Their batteries will be manufactured not far from there, in a brand new factory located in Georgia. We will still have to be patient before we see this new model land on our market, since the launch of the EQS SUV will not take place before next winter.

Mercedes EQS SUV data sheet