Futuristic EQS Proves Mercedes-Benz's Commitment to EVs

This majestic electric showcase impresses, aside from the lofty price and odd controls

By Gabe Shenhar
Associate Director, Auto Test Program

Published April 15, 2021·Updated July 27, 2022

Update: Since this first drive was originally published in July, 2022, we finished testing the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Read the complete EQS road test.

Mercedes-Benz is finally embracing the electric vehicle trend wholeheartedly. The company’s first steps into the EV world were hesitant with the converted B-Class and Smart ForTwo EVs. But the German automaker will soon offer an EV equivalent for every single model in their lineup, designated by the letters EQ.

Starting from the top, the EQS is the flagship sedan parallel to the S-Class, a traditional ultra-luxury large sedan. In the near future, a midsized E-Class equivalent, the EQE is coming, as well as a host of SUVs, large and small.

We bought an EQS to get a glimpse of Mercedes’ latest showcase for electrification, advanced driver assistance (ADAS) systems, large hyperscreen, and augmented reality on infotainment display. Traditionally, technologies introduced on a Mercedes flagship trickle down to mainstream vehicles. So we needed to splurge to evaluate these features now.

The EQS comes in two main flavors. The EQS 450+ starts at $102,310 and has 329 horsepower, a single electric motor powering the rear axle, and a 350-mile driving range.

The EQS 580 has 516 hp from dual motors, signaled by a 4Matic badge indicating it is all-wheel drive. It has an EPA-estimated 340-mile range.

Both versions rely on a 107.8-kWh battery. A high-performance uber EQS AMG version with 649 hp is also available. An onboard 9.6-kW charger is compatible with a 40-ampere home charger. On longer trips, the EQS can accept up to 200 kW charging output at a public DC fast-charger.

If you’re a Consumer Reports member, our initial expert assessment of the 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS is available to you below. We since logged 2,000 initial break-in miles on our EQS and sent it through more than 50 tests at the CR Auto Test Center, including those that evaluate acceleration, braking, handling, child car-seat fit, and controls. CR members now have access to the full road-test results.

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What we bought: 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic.
Powertrain: 516-hp from two electric motors; one-speed direct drive; all-wheel drive; 107.8-kWh battery capacity.
Base MSRP: $125,900.
Options: Napa leather, $1,370; 110V charging cable, $250; Energizing Comfort, $250; Air Balance package, $350; Energizing Air Control w/HEPA filter, $450; head-up display, $1,100; microfiber headliner, $1,600; heated rear seats, $580; rapid heating front seats, $450; Winter package, $1,000 (heated windshield and washer fluid, heated steering wheel); Exclusive trim, $1,575 (micro-contour seats with massage, four-zone climate control).
Destination fee: $1,050.
Total cost: $135,875.

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Gabe Shenhar

Gabe Shenhar is the associate director of the auto test program at Consumer Reports, focusing on on-road evaluations, heading technical report writing, designing the annual test program, and supervising test vehicle purchases. A mechanical engineer, Gabe has been with CR since 1992, and spearheaded electric vehicle testing in 2010, including setting up CR’s charging infrastructure. He is a regular panelist on the podcast “Talking Cars With Consumer Reports.” Follow him on X: @CRCarsGabe.