Saturday, May 13, 2023

2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 AWD: The Brand’s Flagship EV Crossover/SUV


Highlight:  The EQS has a 302-mile driving range.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $138,370 (Base 450 Plus Model: $105,450)

Seating Capacity: 5 to 7 (depending on if the third-row is added)

Standard Safety Features: an active distance assist system; route-based speed adaptation; a 360 degree camera; an active stop and go assist system; active steering assist; an active emergency stop assist system; active lane change assist; brake assist with cross-traffic functionality; a blind spot assist system; parking assist with parktronic; rear LED tail-lamps; interior and driver side dimming mirrors; an exterior acoustic pedestrian protection system; power folding exterior mirrors; a tire sealing compound and air compressor; and active high-beam assist

Standard Equipment (450 Plus): 355-horsepower; 20-inch wheels; a 12.8-inch portrait display system; a 12.3-inch driver display; leather trimmed seats; heated and ventilated front seats; dual climate control with pre-entry climate control; 64-color ambient lighting; power second row seats; front wireless smartphone charger; a power tilt sliding panorama sunroof; power front seats with contour ambient lighting; a garage door opener; seamless door handles with hands free access; comfort rest headrests; and keyless start; dual electric motors with 400 kW output; a one pedal driving system; and rear axle steering

Standard Equipment (580 4MATIC): 536-horsepower; 21-inch wheels; a 17.7-inch OLED central display; a 12.3-inch instrument cluster; a rear 265 kW electronic monitor; and a MBUX augmented reality head-up display

Options:

Five zone climate control system; an air control system with HEPA filtration; an illuminated M-B star; heated third row seats; an acoustic comfort package; a winter package; heated steering wheel; 21-inch black accented wheels; third row seats; pinnacle trim; a heads-up display system; rapid heated front seats; and front multi-control seats with massaging features

Other Trim Levels:

450 4Matic

450 Plus

Maybach

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a Burmester 3D sound system with AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM radio

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 Years /50,000 Miles

Powertrain Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles

Battery Warranty:  10 years/155,000 miles

Horsepower: 355-hp (base model)/ 536-hp (test model)

Towing: 7,700 pounds

Standard Fuel Mileage:

87e-city/83e-hwy (450 Plus)

79e-city/77e-hwy (580 4Matic)


What’s New: The EQS is the first SUV model from Mercedes-EQ line to arrive in the U.S. This is Mercedes-Benz's flagship EV crossover.

Why:

All electric

A range of horsepower

Bed pillows attached to headrests

Sustainable processed leather -first in the brand (Maybach model)

Nappa leather seats available


Driving range up to 302 miles

Augment reality crystal clear navigation system (looks like a video game)

Air floating suspension system available

An AWD or RWD configuration

An optional illuminated star for front EV grill

An optional five-zone climate control system

An optional heated front windshield

An optional rear seat entertainment system

21-inch wheels available

22-inch wheels available on the Maybach model

Illuminated first and second row seatbelts

Heated steering wheel

Heads Up Display

Rapid heated front seats

Heated third-row seats

Massaging front seats

A high-level of advance safety driving features

Thermal Noise Insulating Windshield

7,700 towing capacity

Rear axle steering (on 450 model)

A premium sound system

The suspension can be raised and lowered

A variety of driving modes: eco, comfort, sport and individual

A one pedal driving system

A pre entry climate control system



But:

Mercedes-Benz has made it extremely difficult to access the traditional hood, seeing if there is an opportunity for additional storage

Limited legroom for third row seating

When third row is in use, cargo room is virtually eliminated

A high learning curve to master all of the technology on the vehicle

Exterior styling resembles the discontinued Lincoln’s discontinued MKT

Pricey, before adding-on options

No biometric system like with the Genesis which offers facial and body recognition to start, lock and unlock car doors

No highway auto pilot steering like in Tesla, the Chevy Bolt and the Lincoln Navigator


Verdict: For the 2023 model year, Mercedes-Benz expanded its smooth riding EV S-class line up, adding a crossover. The luxurious crossover, with its pillows attached to the headrests, has a driving range of approximately 302 miles - virtually eliminating range anxiety. is available in a rear wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration.

And, with a starting price of $105,000, the German engineered rear-wheel drive vehicle is also available in an all-wheel drive configuration too. The EQS doesn't disappoint in terms of power. The brand's spacious flagship crossover horsepower ranges from 355 to 536, depending upon the trim selected.

Moreover, the EQS can be outfitted with features ranging from third row seats, which are designed more for kids, to a thermal noise insulating windshield to massaging front seats to a high-level of safety driving aids too.

Furthermore, to enhance the driving experience, the EQS has a standard rear axle steering. This feature allows for a shorter turning circle, making the vehicle easier to maneuver.

Conversely, despite the EQS being one of the leading luxury vehicles in the EV lane in terms of technology and ride quality, the EQS stumbles in the styling department. In fact, its reminiscent of the now defunct Lincoln MKT which is being used for livery service. We would like the design team to make the exterior styling more distinctive. And while the EQS pushes the limits in terms of augmented reality, this high-tech EQS doesn't offer a hands-free highway driving system, like the one we experienced in Chevy's soon to be discontinued subcompact Bolt, or the biometric technology in Genesis compact GV60.

Overall, the EQS which is available as a both a sedan and now as a crossover, is the pinnacle of crossovers. 

Nearest Competition: BMW IX (midsize two row crossover)

No comments: