Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV grows the brand’s EV line-up

Mercedes-Benz is on a determined move to sharpen its EV onslaught. The brand’s EQ lineup of EVs now includes small and medium-size SUVs like the EQA, EQB, and EQC along with sedans like the EQE and EQS. But the missing link in the lineup was a full-size three-row SUV, and the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV plugs that very gap.

Despite the healthy reception for the EQS sedan, the EQS SUV is an important product for the brand, as high-riding crossovers are all the rage now. The EQS SUV brings in the familiar bits of design from the EQS sedan but with thorough modifications done for the new shape. The “one-bow” design gets carried over from the sedans, promising a strong positive influence on aerodynamics. The EQS sedan’s drag coefficient of 0.20 is the least for any vehicle. The EQS SUV may not be able to match this but it may not stray too far away from that figure. Mercedes-Benz does not speak of its drag coefficient, but it may have the Tesla Model X’s drag coefficient of 0.25 in its crosshairs.

The front end is a typical Mercedes-Benz EQ design, with a large gloss black panel flanked by the headlamps. Buyers are offered two options when it comes to styling, the Electric Art and AMG-Line. The former gets a smooth design while the latter adds more aggressive bits like a chin spoiler and air curtains. But unlike many EVs, the hood does not open to reveal a front trunk, or frunk, as it does not have one. In fact, the hood does not open at all for a customer, reserving access to the electrical components underneath for the Mercedes-Benz technicians.

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV sends even more familiar vibes. A large MBUX Hyperscreen setup houses a 17.7-OLED infotainment display, a 12.3-inch instrument display, and a 12.3-inch passenger display under a large sheet of high-strength glass. For acoustics, the EQS SUV employs a Burmester 3D Audio system bundled with Dolby Atmos technology.

This being a flagship Mercedes-Benz SUV, it has a lot of expectations to live up to when it comes to comfort and luxury. The cabin, as expected, is lined with leather and wood while being lit by a large standard panoramic sunroof. To up the ambiance, multi-colour accent lighting is also offered. Unlike other EQ models, the large EQS SUV comes with three rows of seats as well, but only as an option.

On the electric side of things, the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV comes with either single or double motors. There are three trim levels in its lineup. The base EQS 450 gets a 355 hp single motor that also churns out 568 Nm of torque. Stepping it up is the EQS 450 4Matic, adding another motor for all-wheel-drive, albeit with the same output. The top dog is EQS 580 which uses dual motors for all-wheel-drive but with a stronger output. This trim gets a total output of 536 hp and 858 Nm of torque.

Irrespective of the trim, all EQS SUVs store their power in a 107.8-kWh Li-ion battery. Understandably, the single motor EQS 450 goes longer with the same amount of electric juice. This base trim gets an impressive range figure of 600 kms. Keep in mind that this is estimated using the highly optimistic WLTP cycle. The range figures of the higher models are still under cover. The EQS SUV can charge at speeds up to 200-kW, adding enough juice to charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes. Just like the EQS Sedan, the EQS SUV does not miss out on any goodies. The rear-wheel-steering system is carried over with a rear-axle capable of turning up to 10-degrees.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV hones the EQ lineup with crossover offerings in almost all sizes. Couple this with the sedan models and the upcoming EQE SUV, and Mercedes-Benz will easily have one of the most diverse electric vehicle lineup in the global market.