Mercedes-Benz EQS Review & Prices

The EQS is the poshest and second most expensive EV you can buy from Mercedes. Compared to its petrol S-Class counterpart, it looks like it’s come from a different planet, too. You get a high-tech cabin inside and it’s ultra comfortable, but its size can make it tricky to live with.

Think of it as an all-new, head-turning piece of clothing from a Chanel or Dior. You know it’s going to be ultra-luxurious, it just looks like nothing like the classically elegant outfits that came before it.

Though the EQS does have the road presence of a £100,000 car. It’s absolutely enormous at over 5.2 metres long and just shy of 2 metres wide. Unlike the very upright S-Class, BMW i7 or even the EQS SUV, the EQS saloon has an incredibly slippery, aerodynamic shape to help eke as much range out as possible. It’s immediately clear that it’s an electric car as a result of its blanked-off grille and rounded corners.

Watch: BMW i7 v Mercedes EQS range test

The interior is an absolute tech-fest, featuring Mercedes’ Hyperscreen infotainment setup - three screens behind one continuous glass panel on the dashboard. It looks hugely impressive, with a driver and passenger display straddling the enormous central display, but in truth it’s a bit distracting on the move, and you need to stretch to reach the furthest edge of the monitor.

Still, there’s lovely ambient lighting around the cabin, and the EQS has incredibly comfortable seats - both front and rear - which are highly adjustable and even come with headrest pillows. It’s better equipped than in some posh hotels. You get acres of legroom and headroom all round, and an enormous 620-litre boot, too.

Mercedes EQS: electric range, battery and charging data

Range: 377-481 miles
Efficiency: 3.3-3.6 miles per kWh
Battery size: 96-118kWh
Max charge speed: 170-200kW
Charge time AC: 13-17hrs
Charge time DC: 31-32mins
Charge port location: Right rear
Power outputs: 292-360bhp

The interior quality is fantastic, by-and-large, with loads of leather, wood and metal to accompany the cinema screen on the dashboard - though there are a few too many hard plastics in easy-to-reach places, such as high up on the centre console and around the door bins..

An advantage of its huge length is that Mercedes has been able to fit a whopping great battery under the floor, in either 96kWh or 118kWh size, depending on which model you opt for. The range-topping EQS 450+ can travel a whopping 481 miles on a charge, but even the entry-level EQS 350 can go just under 380 miles without topping up the battery - and it’ll achieve the majority of its range, in any guise.

The BMW i7 can only travel as far as 387 miles to a charge, by comparison, and the only electric car that can travel further than the EQS 450+ is the new CLA electric.

The EQS is superbly comfortable around town, with its trick air suspension soaking up the worst a bad road can throw at it. It’s so smart that there’s a sensor in the windscreen which scans the road ahead, and pre-adjusts the suspension to be ready for any imperfections. Clever, eh?

Four-wheel steering means the EQS deals with tight bends a lot more gracefully than you’d expect, but there’s no escaping the car’s size when you come up to a width restriction, narrow street or small parking space - though its suite of cameras helps.

Motorways are where the EQS really comes into its own though, because it positively glides at high speeds - ironing out ruts. There’s a bit of wind noise from the windscreen and the enormous 22-inch wheels can be noisy over pock-marked surfaces, but otherwise it’s fantastic over long journeys.

You’re best off taking country lanes steadily, because while there’s never a scary moment in the EQS thanks to its masses of grip and its four-wheel steering aiding agility, you can feel all 2.7 tons of weight getting wobbled about on bumpier corners.

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As comes as no surprise for a flagship saloon, the Mercedes EQS starts at a hair under £100,000, which is a lot of money, frankly. For that you get the smaller 96kWh battery in Premium trim, but that gets you a staggering 409 miles of range to a charge, AMG-line bumpers, panoramic sunroof, Burmester surround-sound and 21-inch alloys.

For the whole-hog 480 miles of range you’ll want to go for the EQS 450+ AMG Line Premium Plus - yes, really - which starts at around £120,000, but comes with a 118kWh battery. That’s a lot more than the entry-level car, so you really need to make a lot of long journeys for the difference to be worth it.

All EQS models are somewhat comparably priced to the BMW i7 which starts at £102,000, but top-spec EQS trims are far more affordable than the i7 in M60 M Sport Pro trim which adds over £40,000 to the list price, with nowhere near as much as the EQS 450+ range. Ouch.

Great for long motorway journeys, which feel effortless in the EQS, the big EV is less at home in town, where its size can prevent progress along tight or congested roads

In town

There is no doubt that the Mercedes EQS is a big car. At over 5.2m long, it might not be the most suitable option to take into towns and cities, but help is at hand. The EQS features rear-wheel steer, which means the rear wheels will turn up to 4.5 degrees in both directions, depending on speed (unless you pay extra, when the rotation increases to 10 degrees). Below 37mph, they’ll turn the opposite direction on the front wheels for improved low speed manoeuvrability. Go above that speed – but obviously not in town – and the rear wheels move in the same direction as the front ones for better stability.

Clearly the car benefits from a wide range of cameras and sensors, which mean that manoeuvring around car parks is slightly less daunting than it would be, although good luck staying calm when trying to keep the big Merc away from pillars.

There is also automatic parking technology available, which means that all you have to do is find a space that’s big enough – sometimes easier said than done in such a lengthy motor – and the clever system in the EQS will do the rest.

The EQS’ spongy brake pedal feel can be a real heart-stopper around town though. Sometimes it just feels unnervingly like you’re about to pile into the boot of the car in front before the brakes bite.

On the motorway

Being an electric car, the EQS is whisper quiet, with only the sound of the motors really being identifiable from within the cabin. Mercedes has put a lot of effort into stopping exterior sounds getting in, for example by adding double glazing and extra sound prevention materials in the wheel arches and pillars.

The low levels of noise can specifically be appreciated at higher speeds, for example when cruising along motorways. This improvement is important, because much of the time EQSs are likely to be running up and down main roads, where the most important people on board are probably in the rear seat, as opposed to up front driving.

The sleek aerodynamics help to limit the impact of motorway driving on range, but of course, like all electric cars, this is where the EQS will put in its worst battery performance.

On a twisty road

Out on the open road, drivers can select Sports+ mode, which feeds an ‘engine’ noise into the cabin. This setting also means stiffer suspension, an improved throttle response and more steering feel. Combined these elements are designed to provide a more sportier drive than the standard options and it does work, but only up to a point — in softer settings, the big Merc can feel very boat-like as it rolls gently around corners.

B roads are one instance where the regenerative braking in an electric vehicle might not be the best option. Many drivers would rather coast through the corners and bends to keep it balanced and there is a setting on the EQS specifically for that situation. Using this option in any car would make a difference, but when behind the wheel of something that weighs in at 2.7 tonnes, it's hugely noticeable.

Despite the size and weight, the EQS can feel sporty, which is no mean feat. Although when buyers might be choosing between this car and, say, a Porsche Taycan, the Mercedes has to be pretty special.

Mercedes has gone to great lengths to make sure the EQS ticks all the interior space and quality boxes, but it might be a bit overwhelming for some

The first time we sat into the EQS, it felt like sitting into the future. Now, though, when every new cheap Chinese car has super-sized screens? A bit less so.

The EQS has some nice touches, though, including automatically opening and closing doors, and there’s a great mixture of minimalism and technology laid out in front of you.

There are two different steering wheel design options – the standard one and also an AMG version, which looks a bit more sporty. There is a big centre console, which is padded and offers lots of storage space. In front of the main armrest space, there’s a wood-covered area with adjustable cupholders, USB-C ports and wireless charging capabilities. Underneath the armrest there is a large box with more wireless charging options and USB ports.

Basically, when travelling in an EQS, you shouldn’t ever run out of space. As well as the storage described above, there’s also a carefully crafted floor space that can accommodate bags – and also a sizeable glovebox. The door bins are wide and big enough for large bottles.

Seat and mirror adjustment controls are responsive and intuitive and, because they are both electric, enable minor adjustments to be made if needed. As you might expect, there is a feel of luxury – probably because Mercedes is trying to not only win business from other brands, but also getting existing customers out of S-Classes. A good example of the lengths it has gone to is the headrest ‘pillows’ that are used for an extra layer of comfort for all occupants. They’re standard in the back seats, and optional up front.

Space in the back seats

There is – as you would expect from a luxury saloon – lots of knee room and head room. Above the passenger’s heads there is also a panoramic sunroof, which allows plenty of light in, adding to the welcoming environment in the rear of the car. The seats are more upright than they are in the S-Class or BMW i7, though, which does dull the feeling of opulent luxury somewhat.

Fold down the centre armrest and there’s more storage, and also a pad that allows rear passengers to control rear temperature and use the infotainment system. There’s the option of adding extra entertainment, with rear screens that are mounted on the back of the driver and front passenger’s seats.

Overall, it’s a comfortable place to be, thanks largely to the standard air suspension and technology that remembers where bumps and lumps in the road are if it has been over them before. It will then adjust the suspension accordingly. Or, when approaching a driveway, it will raise the suspension to allow the car to get up the ramp more easily.

Boot space

One of the biggest differences between the EQS and the S-Class is the EV’s hatchback tailgate, which brings added practicality. While the boot space doesn’t vary much between the two big Mercs, in terms of loading, there is a big difference.

Elsewhere in the boot there is space under the floor for charging cables or any other items you might want to store securely. There are also electrically operated rear seat releases to open up even more loading space. It’s probably the closest we’ll ever get to an S-Class Estate.

It might not be the kind of car you would load up and take to the local tip, but when boot space is needed – multiple suitcases packed on the way to the airport, maybe – there is more than enough. The lack of a front boot, or froot, seems like a bit of a missed opportunity — the ‘bonnet’ is actually permanently sealed and you just add windscreen wash through a little flap in the wheelarch — but due to the copious amounts of room elsewhere, it’s less of an issue than it could be.

The EQS boasts more options, menus and functions than in possibly any other car on the market, but it might be too much for some drivers who just want a bit of simplicity. There might be many that owners never use, but the ones they do discover will no doubt become invaluable as time goes on

From the driver’s seat in the EQS you are faced with a huge bank of screens, but also plenty of space and – importantly, says Mercedes – man-made materials. What might look and feel like suede and leather are natural materials that feel high quality. That said, there are some cheap bits and pieces around, and they really rankle in a car that costs this much.

The EQS boasts what Mercedes calls the ‘Hyperscreen’. It’s essentially three large screens behind one piece of glass that stretches over the width of the dashboard.

The main screen in the centre employs the functionality and features that you would expect to see in any of the other Mercedes high-end products. However, as the EQS is an electric car, there are EV-friendly options that record and display charge levels, advise on charging points and show the current range and power details.

Many functions are touchscreen-only, which might not be as good as having physical buttons, but the Mercedes system works really well and is very intuitive. There are also some clever – some might say unnecessary – touches such as flashes of colour when the temperature shifts up or down. In other colour news, there are a total of 190 different combinations to choose from for the ultimate personalisation of your EQS’ interior. Just having all of that screen real estate in the cabin is, ultimately, quite distracting when you’re driving. The old EQS could be had with a simpler, two-screen layout. We miss it.

The driver’s display is pretty intuitive and makes accessing all the information you would need very easy. Steering wheel-mounted buttons and scrolling wheels are used to bring up the desired information, which are more effective than some components used in smaller or more cheaper models.

The head-up display from the Mercedes S-Class has been carried over into the EQS, which makes navigation especially that bit easier and ensures you’ll never make a wrong turn again.

Finally, there’s the third screen – which can only be operated when there’s someone in the passenger seat. It offers a similar range of functions and menus as the central screen, only this time, they are for the benefit of the passenger, not the driver. For safety, if the driver starts concentrating too much on the screen it will automatically dim, so they are forced to focus on driving the actual car.

In addition, the third screen has its own ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice control technology, so each front passenger can shout different commands to their own personal assistant. However, that innovation – while useful in many respects – does have a habit of interrupting if anyone says ‘Mercedes’, whether you want any help with anything or not. Equally, passenger side screens tend to be a bit superfluous as most people sitting in the front will just end up using their own phone or tablet anyway.

The EQS lineup consists of two models - the standard 350 version and the more powerful, bigger-battery 450+. The EQS 350 gets a 96kWh battery and a maximum range of 409 miles, while the 450+ gets a 118kWh battery and up to 481 mile range, but certain trim levels drop the range on both battery versions.

Those are pretty realistic figures, too. They’re helped by the fact that even on the motorway, the EQS’s ultra-slippery shape helps to keep energy consumption down (it’s one of the most aerodynamically efficient cars in the world).

The EQS 450+ Business we tested managed 3.41mi/kWh on a motorway-heavy journey - actually surpassing Mercedes’ claim of 3.3 mi/kWh for the model. Impressive.

Charging the EQS can be done at anything up to a 200kW charger. Using one of those units will add 186 miles of range in 15 minutes. The Mercedes is fitted with an 11kW charger, which means replenishing the batteries would typically take around 10 hours. However, there is an option to upgrade to a 22kW charger, which takes half the time.

Using a standard 7kW wallbox charger, however, is a bit of a mission and takes up to 17 hours to fill up the battery from completely empty.

VED tax works out at just £10 for the first year, but seeing as the price tag is two-and-a-half times the £40,000 point at which higher VED rates kick in, you’ll be paying an extra £425 each year until the car is six years old. However, for business users, Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax rates are almost laughably low — as little as £50 per month.

As you might expect with Mercedes’ flagship electric model, the EQS bagged a maximum five stars when tested at Euro NCAP. Adult occupant (96%) and child occupant protection (91%) stood out specifically when it underwent analysis.

While there are no rear or front passenger knee airbags, elsewhere it’s pretty much a full house of frontal protection. Likewise for lateral crashes, there is plenty of protection, the only area missing is side pelvic airbags. 

Other safety systems of note on the car include an active bonnet – which raises up when it detects an impact is looming and limits injuries – autonomous emergency braking when the EQS senses pedestrians or other vehicles.

Mercedes came a stellar second place in the 2025 Driver Power survey for owner satisfaction, and while the EQS has had a few minor recalls, there haven’t been any horror stories about its reliability.

Owners should take some comfort from the car’s three-year/unlimited mileage warranty, which is better than the standard 60,000-mile affair. You can extend it for a fee, too. Battery cover, meanwhile, extends to ten years or 155,000 miles.