2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV

Overview
As its name implies, the all-electric 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS is the high-riding SUV alternative to the company's large, slicked-back EQS luxury sedan. The two share a platform and myriad other components and have identical wheelbases, but only the SUV offers a third row and seats for up to seven. Its interior feels airier than the sedan thanks to extra headroom, and its design and material quality are equally high-end and similarly attractive. It's also available with Mercedes' new 56-inch Hyperscreen, but while we're dazzled by the massive glass panel's Starship Enterprise appearance—it stretches across the dashboard from door to door—we're put off by its lack of physical controls. The lineup includes the rear-drive, 355-hp EQS480+ and the all-wheel-drive, 536-hp EQS580, both of which we expect to at least 300 miles of estimated range.

What's New for 2023?
The 2023 EQS SUV is the latest to join Mercedes’ growing portfolio of electric models that fall under the umbrella of the company’s EQ sub-brand. It’s the first SUV built on Mercedes’ modular EVO 2 platform, which also underpins the EQE and EQS sedans, and it’s expected to go on sale sometime later this year.

Pricing and Which One to Buy
EQS450+ $114,000 (est)
EQS580 $130,000 (est)
Mercedes hasn't yet said how much the 2023 EQS SUV will cost, but we know it’ll be split into two models: the EQS450+ and the EQS580. We expect the latter to be considerably more coin because of its added power and all-wheel drive. Still, the EQS450+ includes a lot of desirable standard features, such as an adaptive air suspension, rear-axle steering, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Burmester sound system, and more.

EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The EQS SUV is essentially a rebodied EQS sedan with an elevated seating position and more interior space, and its electric powertrains are similar, albeit not identical. The EQS450+ features a 335-hp electric motor that powers the rear wheels. The EQS580 produces 536 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque between its front- and rear-mounted electric motors, which provide all-wheel drive. The EQS SUV comes standard with an adjustable air suspension and a rear-axle steering system that makes it surprisingly agile. Unlike the sedan, the SUV features an Off-Road drive mode that raises the suspension and alters the powertrain's behavior. During a ride-along in a prototype model, we experienced these settings first-hand on rugged terrain and were impressed with the vehicle's capabilities, even if we're convinced most people who buy an EQS SUV will never attempt such activities.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life
Although Mercedes hasn’t confirmed range estimates for the EQS SUV, it uses the same 107.8-kWh battery pack as the EQS sedan, which is EPA-rated at between 340 and 350 miles of range. Due to the SUV being less aerodynamic and likely heavier, we expect its estimated range to be slightly lower. The EQS SUV can charge at speeds up to 200 kW, which Mercedes says will take the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes when connected to a compatible DC fast-charger.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the EQS SUV features the type of rich materials and high-tech equipment that define modern-day Mercedes-Benz models. Its list of standard interior features includes selectable ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, and wireless charging. The 56-inch Hyperscreen is optional. The fit-and-finish of the EQS we rode in was very impressive even though it was a pre-production model. The EQS cabin is also rife with useful storage spaces, including a large bin below the floating center console. The EQS comes standard with two rows of seats that accommodate five passengers, but a third row is optional and adds seating for two more people. There’s up to 31 cubic feet of cargo area behind the second row on five-seater models. Those fitted with a third row max out at 28 cubes behind the second row, but that volume shrinks to 7 cubes when the third row isn’t stowed.

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