2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS

The 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan (confusingly, there’s also an EQS SUV) is a full-size four-door electric vehicle that looks like a sedan but is really (and Mercedes won’t like our using this word) a hatchback. It rides on a 126.38-inch wheelbase. That’s almost 10 inches more between the front and rear wheels than its nearest competitors have. That extra space goes largely toward rear seat legroom, which feels limousine-like. The long wheelbase also contributes to a smooth ride, helpful for this ride meant for VIPs. 

Changes to the EQS for 2023 include the addition of an all-wheel drive version of the base 450+ model, the EQS 450 4MATIC. It joins the 580 4MATIC and AMG EQS performance variant, all available with the Pinnacle and Executive trims. Smaller changes include improved seat cushions and comfort pillows for rear seat passengers in the Pinnacle trim, new 20-inch AMG five-spoke wheels available on all models and a new Twilight Blue Metallic paint exclusive to the AMG EQS model.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS’ direct competitors include the Tesla Model S, the Lucid Air and the Porsche Taycan. They all have large, expensive, high-performance luxury models available. The EQS has three powertrain choices, a 245 kW rear motor with 329 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque (EQS 450+), an all-wheel drive 450 4MATIC, a 385kw dual motor AWD with 516 horsepower and 617 lb-ft of torque (EQS 580 4MATIC) and a 484 kW dual motor AWD with 751 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque (AMG EQS).

Most EVs tend to be quick off the line, but the Mercedes-Benz EQS has almost 5,600 pounds to move in base form, so the zero-to-60 times for the 450+ ($105,540) and 450 4MATIC ($108,450) are a bit leisurely. The Mercedes’ lower performance doesn’t help its range or EPA MPGe estimate, where both Tesla and Lucid top it. The 580 4MATIC ($127,000) speeds things up. After a week driving the most powerful version, the Mercedes-AMG EQS ($148,545), we found the silky-smooth ride and the quiet of an EV almost evoking the feeling of old, ultra-isolated luxury cars—until we stood on the throttle. 

The EQS’ cabin is a combination of traditional Mercedes interio (luxurious yet business-like) and tech gone wild, with 64-color ambient lighting and a big center screen. We think too many functions have been buried inside the screen and the only safe way to make certain adjustments is to pull over or to master the “Hey, Mercedes” voice commands and hope it understands what you want. Driver and passenger room and comfort are the best in the set, and the choice of a hatch rather than a trunk results in good cargo space.

While the tech focus in the EQS has its drawbacks, Mercedes does equip it with every current active safety feature as standard equipment. In terms of charging, the EQS is not ultra-quick, even at DC fast charging stations, but its 31 minutes from 10 to 80% is respectable. No matter which EQS you opt for, it’s a pricey EV aimed at luxury buyers who want a high-quality cabin to unwind with quiet, emission-free driving.

Performance: 9/15

Among base powerplants, the EQS 450 has the next-to-least horsepower (329, versus the Tesla Model S’ 670, the Air Pure’s 480 and the Taycan’s 240), but the slowest zero-to-60 time (5.9 seconds to the Model S’ 3.1, the Air Pure’s 3.8 and the Taycan’s 5.1). Moving up to the EQS 580 boosts the horsepower to 516 and cuts the zero-to-60 time to 4.1 seconds, but the closest models from Tesla, Lucid and Porsche all beat it.

Opting for the Mercedes-AMG EQS results in a massive jump in horsepower (to 751), but it also puts the EQS up against the fastest models from the competition—the Tesla Model S Plaid with 1,020 horsepower, the Lucid Air Grand Touring with 1,050 and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, which only has 460 horsepower, but weighs 810 pounds less than the AMG EQS. With a zero-to-60 time of 3.0 seconds, the AMG ties the Lucid, but trails the Taycan Turbo S (2.6 seconds) and the Model S Plaid (2.1 seconds).

Only the base EQS 450+ is rear-wheel drive. All other models are Mercedes’ 4MATIC or 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive. Tesla, Lucid and Porsche are all available as RWD or AWD, depending on the model.

For a comfort-focused machine, the EQS performs like you’d want: silently and smoothly. The EQS’ drive modes make a noticeable difference: Comfort, Eco and Sport change the dynamic feel considerably, Sport making good on its name by zipping ahead much faster than Comfort and Eco—but at the expense of range. No matter the mode, the lozenge-like car feels heavy and big on curves and during trickier driving. For a true sporty experience in a limo-like environment turn to the AMG. 

Range, Energy Use & Charging: 11/15

Fuel economy is measured differently for electric vehicles, with the EPA using a metric it calls MPGe. It’s based on the agency’s calculation that the energy in a gallon of gasoline is equal to 33.7kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity. 

The EQS, averaged across the models in the line, has an EPA estimate of 93 MPGe, which is second to last in the competitive set. The Porsche Taycan does worse at 80.8 MPGe and the Tesla Model S and Lucid Air do significantly better (110.5 and 127.3 MPGe, respectively).

In terms of range per charge, the EQS finishes in third place again even with 350 miles for the EQS 450+ and 450 4MATIC, 340 miles for the 580 and 277 miles for the AMG. Only the Taycan has a shorter range per charge (206 to 246 miles, depending on model), while Tesla says it can do 410 in the Model S and 396 in the Model S Plaid. The hands-down winner on range is Lucid’s Air, which estimates 410 miles for the Pure model, 425 for the Touring and 516 for the Grand Touring. This segment of EVs pushes the standard range to new limits, making an impressive 350-mile range look paltry.

When it comes time to charge, Tesla has the advantage in public charging, with an estimate of 10% to 80% charge in 15 minutes on the brand’s proprietary Supercharger network. Porsche, which is equipped with 800-volt charging capability, estimates 22 minutes for the same recharge on a 350 kW DC fast charger. Mercedes says it can do it in 31 minutes, and Lucid is roughly the same.

When not on a road trip, most EV owners charge at home on Level 2 (240 volt) chargers. There, Porsche, Mercedes and Lucid all claim between 10 and 11 hours, while Tesla says it can take up to 12 to get a full recharge from 10%. 

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 13/15

The Mercedes-Benz EQS has every conceivable active safety feature as standard equipment, and the brand has a reputation for safety. However, neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has evaluated the crashworthiness of the EQS yet. 

The only vehicle in this competitive set to be crash-tested by either U.S. agency is the Lucid Air, which gets a “Good” overall rating from the IIHS. All four vehicles (EQS, Model S, Air and Taycan) have been tested by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), and all have received five-star ratings.

Comfort & Room: 13/15

The EQS puts its size advantage to work for rear seat passengers, which get 37.8 inches of legroom. That tops the Lucid Air’s 37.4 and the Tesla Model S’s 35.5. Porsche does not cite rear seat legroom for the four-seater Taycan, but it’s tight. One caveat of the EQS’ aerodynamic shape is a slight reduction in rear headroom, the EQS measuring 38 inches compared to 39.4 in the S-Class.

The seats are extremely comfortable and supportive, with heating and ventilation for driver and front passenger standard, and multi-program massage functions available as part of extra-cost option packages. A Nappa leather upgrade is beyond luxurious, while cloth options are also high quality. Compared to the Tesla interior the EQS is a palace. The Pinnacle trim includes heated and ventilated rear seats, while front passengers get both as standard. An additional $250 heats the steering wheel on the Exclusive trim. 

Infotainment: 14/15

The EQS is a tech showcase—the interior a cross between a European luxury car (which it is) and the floor of the CES tech conference, complete with 64-color ambient lighting. And that’s just with the standard instrument panel.

A Burmester 3D Surround Sound system is standard equipment, as is augmented navigation, giving a 3D photorealistic look at the world around you. There are also animated displays showing the flow of energy (battery to motor, brakes to battery), and on Exclusive and Pinnacle Trim models of the EQS 450, massaging front seats, a cabin fragrance system and more.

Available as part of an extra cost package on the EQS 450 and 580 and standard on the Mercedes-AMG EQS is the Hyperscreen. What appears to be one continuous screen across the instrument panel is actually three very big ones. The one in front of the driver (12.3 inches) has the typical instrumentation (speedometer, percent of charge remaining, range estimate, trip odometer and much more information). The front passenger also gets a 12.3-inch display which can show a clock, elevation, compass, navigation or audio choices. In the center is the infotainment (nav, audio, climate, energy monitoring)—17.7 inches of it.

It’s all a great show, but, ultimately, too many of the basic functions that should be quickly accessed without taking eyes off the road are controlled by a system that requires touching exactly the right space.

Cargo Space & Storage: 10/15

Despite the decision to build the EQS as a hatchback rather than a sedan with a trunk, the Mercedes is average in cargo room with the rear seats in place with 22 cubic-feet. The Lucid Air, which has both a trunk and 10 cubes of front trunk (“frunk”), has a total of 32.1 cubic-feet of space. The Tesla Model S, also a hatchback, manages 28.1. Only the smaller Porsche Taycan, with 17.2 cubic-feet, has less. With rear seats folded flat, the Tesla edges out the Mercedes, 64.5 cubic-feet to 63.

Small storage space is adequate but unremarkable with the usual glovebox, center console compartment and door pockets. Without a frunk on the EQS, a hold underneath the back cargo space becomes the best place to store cables and charging equipment.

Style & Design: 6/10

While there may be aerodynamic payoffs to the EQS’ styling, it comes off as anonymous and lozenge-like, without the character of the gasoline-powered S-Class sedans. In the AMG trim, it looks a bit more purposeful (the bigger wheels make an impression), and it does look fresher than the decade-plus-old Tesla Model S, but it pales next to the stunning Lucid Air and the racy Porsche Taycan.

When it comes to materials and quality, the Mercedes touch is apparent. While Teslas often have build inconsistencies, the EQS feels like it went through quality-control checks multiple times. Inside the cabin, plush VIP limo seating is all about comfort. The AMG version features a more sporty design that still exudes quality.

Is the 2023 Mercedes EQS Worth It? Which Mercedes EQS Is the Best Value?

Base price for the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ is $105,540 (including destination). Exclusive trim (a $3,400 upgrade) adds massaging front seats, four-zone climate control and a cabin fragrance and purification system. Pinnacle trim (a $6,200 upgrade) focuses on the rear compartment, adding a comfort-type center armrest along with heated and ventilated seats, luxury head restraints, power adjustability with memory, wireless charging and rear side-impact airbags. Upgrading to the EQS 450 4MATIC ($108,450) adds all-wheel drive.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4MATIC starts at $127,000 and offers the same Exclusive and Pinnacle trim content for the same additional prices.

The Mercedes-AMG EQS has a base price of $148,550 and it also offers upgrades to Exclusive and Pinnacle trim for the same additional prices. The only difference is that the massaging front seats and fragrance/purification system are standard on the AMG EQS, along with the massive Hyperscreen.

No matter how you look at it, the EQS is an expensive EV. Other premium EV options match it in price, but many are better options for performance (Model S Plaid) or range (Lucid Air). The new base Pure trim on the Lucid Air will soon be the best deal for a high-performance luxury EV, especially compared to the EQS pricing.

Nevertheless, if shopping for an ultra-luxury, six-figure electric sedan from Mercedes, our pick would be the 450+ or EQS 450 4MATIC, depending on weather and road conditions where you drive. While the EQS 580 is almost 2 seconds quicker to 60, the 450 is by no means slow, and trading 10 miles of range per charge and spending between $18,550 and $21,550 more to get that performance seems tough to justify.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS?

The EQS is expensive to insure, as are most of its peers. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium starting at $5,380, though this averages all 50 states. A Lucid Air owner might pay close to $5,000 per year, while the Tesla Model S is $4,430 and $5,468 for Plaid and the Porsche Taycan is $5,160. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.