Mercedes EQS first drive | say goodbye to range anxiety

hen we tested the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class in November, we questioned whether it would be overshadowed by the arrival of its electric counterpart, the EQS.

As a means of showcasing the latest and greatest Mercedes technology, the EQS has a clear advantage. It’s all-electric, super aerodynamic and takes the S-Class’s new infotainment system to a new level.

The EQS is also the first Mercedes to be based on a platform that’s designed specifically for electric vehicles (EVs), unlike the EQA, EQB and EQC that all share their underpinnings with existing models.

It is, then, our first taste of what future Mercedes cars will be like.

A smaller EQE model will follow the EQS, along with a pair of SUVs. As the brand’s electric flagship, the EQS is priced just less than £100,000. That puts it alongside the likes of the Tesla Model S, Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan.

The Mercedes EQS offers one clear advantage over its near rivals, however, and that’s its range. A WLTP figure of 484 miles for the EQS 450, makes it the longest-range electric car currently on sale and, in our experience, a full charge and a careful right-foot could quite easily see more than 400 miles between charges. Range anxiety really is a thing of the past, if you can afford it.

The battery has a 120kWh capacity and can take on enough power to cover 186 miles in 15 minutes, using a 200kW rapid charger. A single electric motor is used to haul the two-and-a-half-tonne EQS, powering the rear wheels, with an output of 333PS. It gives adequate acceleration – at least on par with an S-Class diesel – but lacks the slingshot effect that some twin-motor EVs deliver at this price point.

Mercedes also offers the 658PS EQS 53 AMG for an extra £55,000, to satisfy those that want a more driver-focused model. For most, the EQS 450 should be more than satisfactory.

As a member of the S-Class family, the EQS provides a high level of luxury, refinement and technology. There’s ample rear-seat space, making the EQS suitable for both chauffeuring and family duties and, unlike its counterpart, the EQS has ditched the traditional saloon configuration and, instead, offers a hatchback. From the driver’s seat, the EQS feels very similar to the S-Class, offering the same high-level of material quality, crisp digital displays and isolation from the outside world. Cars equipped with the MBUX Hyperscreen, an £8,000 option, utilise a full-width digital dashboard that stretches from the instrument cluster to the passenger side. It comprises three displays under one piece of glass.

Achieving a comfortable driving position in the EQS can be a challenge as the dashboard and steering wheel are mounted higher than usual and, when you’ve finally got the seat high enough to see over the dash, the instrument display is obscured by the steering wheel.

Otherwise, the car is easy to drive. A rear-wheel steering system is fitted as standard, which makes parking much simpler. It also helps to improve dynamics at higher speeds, although the EQS is best enjoyed as a cruiser.