Road test | Mercedes-Benz EQS: the other S-Class

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has always been considered the gold standard of large luxury sedans. Forerunner of many advances in the service of comfort and safety, this great German has personified the pride of the brand with the star for 50 years. With the EQS, this S-Class takes the path of electrification to ensure its durability. Here are our impressions after a few days behind the wheel.

Its design

Far from the approach of BMW, which has prepared its electric 7 Series in an almost undifferentiated way from its thermal engine sister, the EQS stands in a clear stylistic break compared to the last vintage S-Class. Exit therefore the extended muzzle which ensures a strong introduction in panache. The passenger compartment of this EQS is at the forefront, to promote habitability, which gives rise to unusual proportions for the category. The sealed grille complements a very sloping bonnet, elements that convey the extraordinary attention paid to aerodynamics. With its drag coefficient of 0.20 cx, this EQS is the production vehicle offering the least air resistance. The arched roofline caps a slightly longer wheelbase than that of a Ford Expedition. The length of the sedan is also almost equivalent to that of the large SUV, a particularly eloquent data, it goes without saying.

On board

The stature of the S-Class was built on its beautifully crafted cabin. On the side of the EQS, the result is a little more lukewarm. Certainly, it is the Hyperscreen which monopolizes the attention with its prodigious surface of 1.4 m wide. A combination of three horizontal screens, it redefines in itself the integration of technological instruments by making up the entire dashboard. It therefore leaves little space to give free rein to the goldsmith’s creativity. There are nevertheless platings in certain places to increase the impression of luxury, but the rendering is a little lukewarm compared to the asking price. There is also this impression of intended infrangibility which is not entirely there at the touch of the retractable handles and certain – and rare – physical controls. When you look at the space as such, it’s obviously very bulky, but be careful of the head when climbing in the back. The short, reclined seat doesn’t help passenger comfort either when you don’t opt ​​for the adjustable rear seats.

Under the hood

Apart from its livery produced by AMG, Mercedes-Benz’s high-performance tuner, the EQS marketed in Canada comes with a single mechanical combination of two engines. Power output sits at 516 hp and torque a remarkable 631 lb-ft. Like all electric vehicles, they activate in an obvious silence accompanied by a reserved and adjustable sound emanating from the speakers to remind us that we are climbing in speed. Certainly, with a 0-100 km / h estimated at 4.3 s by the manufacturer, the thrust is frank. The grip is also flawless from a standing start. A voluminous 107.8 kWh battery serves as a reserve to support a range of 547 km. This figure seems conservative, while the rather precise algorithms predicted more than 600 km during the test. Obviously, with such a battery, you have to expect long recharge times if you don’t have access to a fast terminal.

Behind the wheel

The EQS highlights an important technical challenge brought about by this electric transition: weight. At 2.7 tons, it weighs 700 kg more than an S-Class and a hundred kilograms more than a Cadillac Escalade. The use of pneumatic shock absorbers, a specialty of the manufacturer, is therefore required. These therefore filter the roughness fairly well, but can also seem a little dry at times when they reach their compression limit. She does not try to hide her weight too much, showing rather pronounced movements in sporty driving, which is not surprising. The steering, which benefits from the contribution of active rear wheels for agility, is also totally devoid of sensations, but offers great precision. Moreover, there is also a particularly poor rear and side visibility due to the thickness of the various pillars. We often have to rely on sensors to detect the presence of a vehicle in our blind spots.

Embedded technologies

This analysis could have focused entirely on the technological aspect of this EQS as it is complete and complex. As stated earlier, the multimedia system is based on three separate screens: one for the instrumentation, the other central OLED for the multimedia system and a third for the front passenger, also OLED. Their definition is extraordinary and navigation is quite easy thanks to some skillfully placed shortcut tabs. The fact remains that the manipulations are distracting and the reflections of the sun sometimes affect their readability. The haptic keys on the steering wheel are also too sensitive, which can cause an unexpected change of menu or setting when turning the steering wheel. To avoid spending too much time selecting menus, Mercedes-Benz has developed a rather effective voice recognition system. The multimedia system can also continuously update itself in the cloud.

The verdict

Making an icon take the electric turn can be easily a headache. Manufacturers must nevertheless take this risk in order to survive. The presence of this EQS is therefore essential in the automotive landscape for many reasons, both commercial and environmental. No, the large sedan doesn’t fully capture the aura of the S-Class that served as inspiration. The quality of the materials used does not reach this level nor the impression of immense quality. Its rather controversial design and its slightly too heavy appearance behind the wheel reflect the need for additional development time. There is also the risk of obsolescence induced by the presence of a huge screen on the dashboard. The EQS nevertheless offers undeniable comfort and good autonomy in real driving. The power and sophistication of its electric motors are also charming. In short, the compromises currently limit its competitiveness against the Tesla and Lucid of this world.

Notebook

Braking to review

Annoyed by a rather long pedal stroke, the EQS’s braking system pushes the pedal automatically when the most advanced regenerative mode is activated. This is a curious and rather confusing technical choice.

Fast charging acceptable

The sedan is compatible with terminals up to 200 kW, which is acceptable. However, this is lower than what Hyundai offers with its Ioniq 5 and its 350 kW, among others, although it is a much more affordable product.

Impeccable sound

The Burmester audio system lives up to the OEM’s reputation with crystal-clear sound while embellishing the doors with sleek metal grilles.

Cavernous chest

To compensate for the lack of a compartment under the front bonnet, the EQS has a huge 580 L rear trunk accessible by a tailgate which has a compartment to engulf the charging cables.

To isolate yourself from the outside world

The large sedan has a particularly efficient HEPA filter capable of filtering up to 99.65% of exterior particles. Activated charcoal simultaneously eliminates external odors.

Technical sheet

Model tested: EQS 580 4Matic

Motor: Two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors

Power: 516 hp

Torque: 631 lb-ft

Transmission: Direct drive

Motor architecture: One electric motor per axle, all-wheel drive

Range (EnerGuide): 547 km

Price (with options): $162,150

Competitors: Audi e-tron GT, BMW 7 Series Electric, Lucid Air, Porsche Taycan, Tesla Model S

New in 2022? : New model