Introduction
Updated 2027 Mercedes-Benz EQS EV Adds Luxury and Steer-By-Wire
The optional steering system can turn all four wheels using software, sensors, and motors instead of a physical connectionOverview
The flagship electric sedan is getting a makeover, but the biggest changes are under the skin.
When it debuted in 2022, the Mercedes-Benz EQS was a showcase for every new technology the German automaker had to offer. Its dash-wide displays felt like a flight simulator, its interior amenities could rival a spa, and, as a result, its price tag quickly climbed into six digits.
But there were a few issues: Not many buyers were willing to spend that much on an electric sedan with a design that prioritized aerodynamics over presence. And when Consumer Reports purchased and tested one in 2022, our usability experts found that the visually impressive controls were confusing and distracting to use while driving.
Since then, Mercedes has given the EQS a few tweaks, including an upgrade to a larger battery just last year. For 2027, the automaker says that more than 25 percent of the big sedan will be “newly developed, updated and refined.”
The bulbous design is the same, but underneath it lies a new 800-volt electric architecture for faster charging, and a more efficient powertrain that could give drivers about 480 miles of electric range. Mercedes says updated software uses AI to understand more complex voice commands, and a made-to-measure design program offers 100 paint colors.
The biggest change might be the introduction of a steer-by-wire system that lacks any physical connection between the steering wheel and the turning wheels. Only a handful of vehicles, including the Tesla Cybertruck, have a similar setup. EQS sedans equipped with steer-by-wire will have a yoke-like steering wheel, but those with traditional steering will keep a round steering wheel.
Even if you don’t have plans to buy a big, expensive luxury sedan, it’s worth paying attention to the evolution of the EQS because Mercedes has historically used its flagship vehicles to debut technologies that would eventually show up on more mainstream models. In the case of the EQS, that doesn’t just include steer-by-wire but goodies like a parking assistance setup that keeps drivers from accidentally scratching their wheels on curbs.
Here’s what we know about the updated EQS so far.
It competes with the BMW i7, Lucid Air, and Porsche Taycan.
Powertrains include
- 402-hp, single electric motor and rear-wheel drive (450+)
- 469-hp, dual electric motors and all-wheel drive (500 4Matic)
- 576-hp, dual electric motors and all-wheel drive (580 4Matic)
The estimated price range is $90,000-$180,000.
The on sale date is late 2026.
The final assembly point is Sindelfingen, Germany.