Test drive - Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Mercedes-Benz was motivated to create the EQS SUV by several factors. Firstly, the global demand for electric cars is growing. The EQS SUV is Mercedes-Benz’s first all-electric luxury SUV, which was designed to be electric only and best meets the current market demand for environmentally friendly vehicles.
Secondly, Mercedes-Benz customers have been waiting for a similar model for some time, for the company to come up with a larger car that offers more space and practicality. In addition, Mercedes-Benz naturally wants to be competitive in the SUV segment and maintain its market position.
In addition, a larger vehicle allows a larger battery pack to be carried and thus offer a longer range on a single charge.
The technical specifications are those of the specific EQS 580 4MATIC test car:
Length | 5125 mm | Laden mass | 3375 kg | |
Width | 1959 mm | Unladen mass | 2810 kg | |
Height | 1718 mm | Mass of a trailer with brakes | 1800 kg | |
Wheelbase | 3210 mm | Mass of a trailer without brakes | 750 kg | |
Luggage compartment capacity | 645 – 2100 litres | Driving distance on the road | 609 km | |
Driving distance in the city | 659 km | |||
Engines | 2 | |||
Engine power | 400 kW | Gearbox | Automatic | |
Fuel | Electricity | Number of runs | 1 | |
Fuel consumtion | 20,2 – 24,3 kWh/100 km | Transport scheme | Four-wheel drive |
The EQS SUV’s sleek and aerodynamic exterior shapes help reduce air resistance. The nose section has been given a rather aggressive look thanks to the large air intakes. The slim, elongated headlamps add to the car’s elegance. Active aerodynamics are also fitted, which open and close the front axle according to the speed of the car to ensure optimum air flow.
The rear was also designed to be rounded and smooth. The tail lights are also elongated and slim. There is also a small spoiler, which improves the car’s aerodynamics and adds to the sporty style. The EQS SUV is a real eye-catcher and stands out from the crowd.
The interior components were also carefully selected, with a focus on high-quality materials such as leather, aluminium and wood.
Depending on the level of equipment, the car can have five seats or seven if there are three rows of seats. The seats in the first two rows are very comfortable and adaptable, with a wide range of adjustments, massage functions and heating. The front seats are also equipped with a ventilation function. Attention has also been paid to the steering wheel’s touch-sensitive area, which is no longer as large as on previous models and now also allows the steering wheel to be gripped at the point where the spokes join the wheel.
As for the interior, the spaciousness and the brightness of the interior – during the day through the glass roof, and at night thanks to the cosy mood lighting – must be mentioned.
The EQS SUV comes equipped with the MBUX infotainment system with multiple large touchscreens, high-definition graphics and an intuitive user interface that allows the driver and passenger to control everything from air conditioning functions and seat heating to navigation and entertainment systems.
A 15-speaker sound system is standard, but higher trim levels include a 3D system with 27 speakers. As part of the entertainment system, screens will be installed in the backrests of the front seats, allowing rear-seat passengers to watch films, play games or listen to music.
Additional features include active noise cancellation, remote parking assistance, etc. Automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control are also available. Basically, everything that Mercedes-Benz has ever developed for its models is available here.
In summary, the interior of the EQS SUV is luxurious, futuristic and innovative, with a strong focus on passenger comfort and safety. Tasteful design and the use of high-quality materials ensure a cosy and durable interior. After all, the aim of such a car’s interior is to offer a truly unique and memorable driving experience.
All EQS SUVs sold in the Baltics will be equipped with two electric motors and will be four-wheel drive. The engines have a combined power output of 360, 449 or 544 horsepower. The latter allows the almost three-tonne car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 210 km/h. The EEVS are available in four and four-litre versions. A single charge of the battery will allow the car to cover more than 600 kilometres. The long range is ensured by a 107.8 kWh battery pack, one of the largest currently available for electric cars. As with any car, the exact mileage will depend on the driver, the weight carried and the weather. However, when travelling to Tartu in winter, you will still need to recharge on the way back. Fast charging from 10 to 80 per cent takes 31 minutes.
You can choose between several driving modes, allowing you to tailor the driving characteristics to your needs. In Eco, the car uses less energy and drives further. For a more eco-driving experience, even the throttle sensitivity is adjusted to make the car move as smoothly as possible. The Sport setting, on the other hand, increases engine power, making the car snappier and more responsive. The EQS SUV is able to adapt itself to the road conditions, which is particularly enjoyable when driving in changing conditions. All four wheels are capable of providing the best possible grip in the most demanding conditions, which takes driving safety to a very high level. For better manoeuvrability, the rear wheels can turn up to 10 degrees. Thanks to these, the turning radius of the long vehicle is just 11 metres. A wide range of comfort and relaxation features are included, including adaptive air suspension that adjusts the suspension to the driving conditions and number of passengers. In short: the creators of this car have done everything to make the ride a pleasant and comfortable one.
On the downside, prices for the model start at around €125 000 and go smoothly up to €146 000. Even then, the price could still be moved up by a few tens of thousands. In the electric car class, this doesn’t seem too exorbitant.
All in all, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is a powerful, modern and environmentally friendly car that offers excellent driving performance and a luxurious interior. The car’s impressive driving range, cutting-edge technology and wide range of features make it a truly comfortable and manoeuvrable vehicle.