Used 2022 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-EQ EQS

Mercedes-Benz expects more than half of its cars to be fully electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids by 2030. Perhaps the most significant step in that direction is the all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS, a large electric luxury sedan that goes on sale later this year. This luxurious 5-door hatchback is about the same size as a short-wheelbase S-class sedan not sold in the U.S., but with a wheelbase very close in length to the U.S. car’s. The result? An electric sedan that’s not quite as large as a U.S. S-Class, but one that’s nearly as spacious inside.

The new EQS, though, is built on its own chassis – an all-new and modular dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform. As you’d expect of Mercedes, this new EQS positively bristles with technology, and it will dazzle folks with its futuristic design and digital connectivity.

At first, the U.S. gets a rear-wheel-drive EQS 450+ with a rear-mounted electric motor or an EQS 580 with 4Matic all-wheel drive and an extra front motor.

Early next year, look for the ultra-powerful Mercedes-AMG EQS. Its electric powertrain puts out 649 horsepower (or up to 751 hp when using a special boost function). While all three of these EQS models have a large 107.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the AWD Mercedes-AMG EQS has specific wiring that allows for its tremendous power output.

The lithium-ion battery packs are integrated into the floor of the new EQS, and they’re both cooled and heated as necessary. They can also be used to precondition the EQS cabin on cold wintry mornings.

Mercedes says the new 2022 EQS 450+ has an EPA range of 350 miles. The EQS 580, with the same battery pack but front and rear electric motors and 4Matic all-wheel drive (AWD), has an EPA range of 340 miles, which is even more impressive given the 580’s added power.

Mercedes makes its own batteries, with reduced cobalt and high energy density, in Germany. Further improving range is an exceptionally sleek EQS body with a smooth bottom. This new electric Mercedes luxury sedan has a drag coefficient of only 0.20, the lowest of any production car.

Another reason the EQS range is so astounding is that through its highly advanced controllers, various electrical systems can be switched off automatically to extend range.” Energy management is an art,” says Sajjad Khan, Chief Technical Officer for Mercedes-Benz AG.

The dash-spanning MBUX Hyperscreen is now standard on every trim; a new battery improves range, and a standard heat pump makes for better range in cold weather. A 4Matic Disconnect feature on all-wheel-drive-equipped models optimizes range.

Moreover, the EQS 580 now represents more than a powertrain upgrade. It now comes standard with Nappa leather seats, the fronts boasting heating and massage functions. Furthermore, an all-new Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV joins the lineup as the first electric Maybach.

Competitors for the Mercedes-Benz EQS include the Tesla Model S, Audi e-tron GT, Porsche Taycan, and, in a weird sort of way, even the new GMC Hummer EV, which also boasts phenomenal acceleration, luxury and technology.

Before buying the Mercedes-Benz EQS , check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay.

KBB drove a 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQS 450+ and an EQS 580 in and around California’s Silicon Valley, where it seemed like every other car on the road was a Tesla.

The point was not lost on us. Mercedes-Benz, the oldest car manufacturer in the world, has arrived with a luxurious full-size EV that’s ready to take on any other battery-powered car in the world — be it from a trendy startup or an established OE player.

The new 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQS 450+ is a thoroughly impressive EV. It’s remarkably quiet. You don’t hear the powertrain in the driver-selectable Eco and Comfort modes. Because the powertrain is so quiet, you actually hear more wind noise than you do in a gas-powered car. But it is by no means to an annoying level.

Rather, when you’re accelerating in the new EQS, you’re more likely to be marveling at just how smooth the power delivery of the rear-mounted electric motor is. It’s refined and more than amply powered, and it makes 70 mph feel about like 50. Mercedes says the EQS 450+ will hit 60 mph in about 5.9 seconds. By today’s standards, that’s not all that quick, but the steady rush of power is forceful.

Put the EQ 450+ in Sport mode and an audio soundtrack is piped into the interior, letting you know a motor is working hard to propel this 5,600-pound vehicle. It’s much more subdued than the Hans Zimmer-produced sounds in the new BMW iX electric SUV, but there are still many among us who feel that EVs don’t need synthesized powertrain sounds to be sporty.

No matter. The EQS 450+ is a fun car to drive, and paddles behind the steering wheel allow drivers to adjust the amount of electrical regeneration during deceleration and braking. Mercedes calls this “recuperation,” and the default mode of the four available settings delivers just a hint of lift-off deceleration.

Tug the left paddle back once and the EQS 450+ goes into “Increased Recuperation,” an entertaining mode that comes close to allowing true one-pedal driving, which means you’ll likely only need to use the brake pedal at the end of your planned stopping zone. If you pull back on a lever and hold it there, the EQS goes into “Intelligent Recuperation,” in which multiple sensors (along with navigational data) are used to determine the optimal amount of recuperation (if any) for a given situation. Sounds complex, but it worked remarkably well.

A word about the rear-wheel steering, which is standard on the EQS. At highway speeds, when the rear wheels turn slightly in the same direction as the fronts, you don’t sense the added stability it provides. But when you’re pulling a U-turn after, say, missing a turn on your drive route, the EQS feels like a much smaller car, thanks to 10 degrees of opposite-phase rear steering.

This significant new electric Mercedes EQS also has some built-in creep, which means the car will move forward slowly if you lift off the brake pedal at a stoplight. While you can switch it off via the settings, it makes the EQS feel more like a conventionally powered car.

Because so much of the vehicle’s weight is the large battery down low in the chassis, the EQS 450+ corners with minimal body roll. And the ride quality, even in the car’s firm Sport setting, is long-distance comfortable. In highway settings, we found it easy to maintain a nice steady pace with our right foot, but the standard adaptive cruise control is also great at maintaining a consistent gap to the vehicle ahead. All the while, the hands-on active steering helps this big Mercedes EV stay in its lane and smoothly follow the gently curving highway without needing to make correction after correction.

Aided by multiple standard massage programs, the heated and cooled leather-covered seats also prove to be all-day comfortable, while the brake-by-wire brake pedal never feels the least bit grabby. As we motored along in relative silence, we entertained ourselves by fiddling with the nav system, testing the ever-improved “Hey, Mercedes” user interface (she knew the capital of Ethiopia), and admiring the bright and super clear Hyperscreen dash, which is handsome and easy to read without reading glasses. The Hyperscreen and seat-adjuster modules in each door panel appear to float above their respective mounting surfaces, a sensation enhanced by tasteful perimeter lighting.

We started our drive in the 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQS 450+ with an 85-percent battery charge and an estimated range of 339 miles. After 93 miles of mixed city and highway driving, we finished our drive with 58 percent and an indicated remaining range of 227 miles.

As expected, the 2022 Mercedes-EQ 580 4Matic feels noticeably faster. Mercedes says it hits 60 mph in only 4.1 seconds. That’s quick. And even though its 516-hp dual-motor powertrain sends power to the front wheels, the drive torque had no apparent effect on the 580’s steering.

To us, the 580 felt just like a 450+ but with extra power. It’s about 300 pounds heavier, but that’s not apparent in everyday driving. Frankly, we were surprised to learn that the EQS 580 has 340 miles of range, only 10 less than the EQS 450+. We suspect that power is sent to the front motor of the EQ 580 only when required, such as in slippery conditions or hard acceleration.

If you can afford the higher price of the EQS 580, do it. It’s a lot more powerful than the 450+, but it’s also far more stable in tricky conditions while having only a tiny bit less range.

We started our drive in the 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQS 580 4Matic with an 85-percent battery charge and an estimated range of 306 miles. TAfter 92 miles of mixed city and highway driving, we finished with a 54 percent and an indicated remaining range of 192 miles.

Gripes? A few minor ones. The EQS head-up display, though large, needs to be able to be adjusted lower on the windshield so it won’t block the forward view for taller drivers. What’s more, the audible navigation instructions occasionally arrive late, so you might be in the far left lane when you actually need to be in the far right. Lastly, the thumb button on the steering wheel, which needs to be swiped and pressed, is too small.

The hood of this new electric Mercedes Benz can only be opened by company technicians. While that may seem odd, nothing under the EQS hood actually requires owner maintenance. But how do you fill the windshield washer reservoir? There’s a pop-out filler neck on the body panel behind the driver’s-side front wheel.

As the top model from the Mercedes-EQ sub-brand, the new EQS exudes luxury and quality. Many elements have been digitized.

The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Interface) Hyperscreen, a massive vehicle-wide information/infotainment screen, sets the tone for the modern 5-seat cockpit, which comes across as avant-garde and features a slim band of vents with turbine-style outlets on each side.

Because the EQS is an electric car, no transmission tunnel is necessary, giving this large sedan an open and airy feel. And the intricately stitched leather upholstery is complemented by natural wood trim.

The seats look simple in design, and the door panels of the EQS have a modern look, with armrests, pull handle, and side pockets all integrated into one pod. The powered driver’s door closes automatically with a press of the brake pedal (part of the Automatic Comfort Door Package). No reaching needed.

The 2022 Mercedes EQS has Energizing Air Control Plus, which keeps fine dust, microparticles, pollen, and other substances out of the interior. Thanks to a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, the system eliminates 99.6 percent of the cabin’s pollutants.

This large filtration system, mounted under the hood, also cuts odors such as sulfur dioxide, thanks to active charcoal on the HEPA filter and the automatic climate control cabin filter. The charcoal, says Mercedes, comes from coconuts and is a byproduct of the cosmetics industry.

The “Hey Mercedes” MBUX infotainment system continues improving. The one in the new EQS learns individual voices and can even be operated from the back seat. It also understands 27 languages and uses artificial intelligence to learn habits and then make recommendations. For example, if it knows you typically call the same person on your commute home each night, a tile will appear on top of the display, reminding you to do so.

Because the EQS is a purpose-built electric car, the designers had a lot of freedom with this large new electric Mercedes-Benz sedan.

This means the EQS has been optimized for packaging and ergonomics, and world-class aerodynamics made possible with help from a smooth underbody, pop-out exterior door handles, and a mostly closed radiator shutter.

Mercedes likens the arcing greenhouse of the EQS to a taut bow. This helps give this big 5-door the look of a coupe, an appearance enhanced by the frameless doors and high beltline. The A-pillars are far forward on the EQS, creating a “cab-forward” design that results in excellent interior space.

In the fashion of other new Mercedes designs that have been created with the theme of “sensual purity,” the new EQS has minimal body lines and flowing transitions.

The deep black surface of the grille defines the face of the new EQS. Look for this design element to appear on other electric models in the Mercedes-EQ family, including an upcoming SUV.

HYPERSCREEN
This huge 56-inch touchscreen dash panel is the highlight of the EQS interior. A scratch-resistant curved glass panel extending from A-pillar to A-pillar, the Hyperscreen incorporates three screens under a glass cover – a 12.3-inch driver display (the instrument panel), a massive 17.7-inch OLED central display, and a 12.3-inch OLED front passenger screen.

The central and front passenger displays have haptic feedback. A touch of a finger in certain spots will trigger a vibration on the cover glass, making it feel like a mechanical switch. Mercedes recommends using a microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints.

POWER NAP
EQS drivers who need to take a break can park their vehicle and engage Power Nap. This sleep-aid program has three phases: falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up.

When Power Nap is engaged, the driver’s seat moves into a restful position, the side windows and blinds are closed, an air ionizer activates, and the ambient lighting gets toned down. Sleep is then supported by soothing sounds and a starry sky displayed on the EQS center console.

When it’s time to wake up, a fragrance fills the EQS cabin, and the seat massages you before returning to its former position.

As expected of a large electric flagship sedan, the EQS is loaded with standard equipment. In addition to the rear-axle steering, this electric Mercedes sedan has a Burmester surround-sound audio system, tilt-and-slide panoramic roof, dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting, and an Acoustic Comfort Package that adds extra insulation for the interior. Also included is a Parking Package, surround-view monitor, and a fingerprint scanner for driver authentication.

A 12.3-inch driver display and a 12.8-inch central display are standard in the new EQS. The huge, full-width MBUX Hyperscreen dash comes standard in the EQS 580 and Mercedes-AMG EQS, but not the EQS 450+. It includes a dedicated 12.3-inch screen for the front passenger.

Standard equipment highlights in the Mercedes-AMG EQS include the AMG Performance AWD system, rear-axle steering, AMG steering wheel, and the AMG Dynamic Plus Package, which provides a temporary power boost for the Race Start mode and even adds an extra sporty vehicle sound. Called Performance, it joins Balanced, Sport, and Powerful as another available driver-selectable acoustic signature of this big German EV.

If you want to order the massive Hyperscreen dash for the new EQS 450+, it’s a $7,200 option.

Other EQS options include automatic comfort doors front and rear. When the driver approaches and gets to within 20 feet of the EQS, all the flush door handles extend. Then, when that person gets to within about five feet from the vehicle, the driver’s door opens automatically.

In the carpool line at school, the EQS driver can use the voice-controlled MBUX system to open the passenger and rear doors for their kids, which is neat. Then, with a single touch, the doors can be closed with minimal effort. Parking sensors (and those used by the blind-spot monitoring system) provide additional safety.

The Mercedes-AMG EQS offers a blacked-out Night Package with red brake calipers, carbon-fiber trim, performance-enhancing parts such as carbon-ceramic brakes, and wheels as large as 22 inches. It will also offer the AMG Track Pace package, a data-logging system that records all kinds of track-related information (speed, acceleration, lap times, sector times, etc.), showing it in the dash and head-up display for driver analysis.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ has a rear-mounted 329-horsepower electric motor with 419 lb-ft of torque. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic has that same rear motor, adding another in front. It puts out a combined 516 horsepower and 631 lb-ft of torque.

In the upcoming Mercedes-AMG EQS, horsepower is bumped to 649. But in Race Start mode with the boost function engaged, this powertrain can produce 751 horsepower and up to 752 lb-ft of torque for a short while.

All U.S. models of the EQS have a liquid-cooled/heated 107.8-kWh battery pack encased in a sturdy aluminum housing integrated into the floor structure of this dedicated EV chassis. In Europe and other markets, the EQS is available with a smaller 97-kWh battery.

The 400-volt German-built batteries, with reduced cobalt, have an excellent energy density, and the electric motors are compact. What’s more, power delivery in the EQS 580 4Matic and Mercedes-AMG EQS adjusts continually fore and aft for improved stability. And regenerative braking is adjustable via paddles on the steering wheel.

For the first two years of ownership, Mercedes is offering EQS buyers free unlimited 30-minute DC fast-charging sessions at Electrify America. According to Mercedes, a 200-watt DC fast charger can bring the EQS battery from 10 percent capacity to 100 percent in only 31 minutes.

Using a 220-volt charger at home, the EQS models will reach a full charge in just over 11 hours.

Permanent-magnet electric motor (EQS 450+)
107.8-kWh lithium-ion battery
329 horsepower
419 lb-ft of torque
EPA combined fuel economy: 97 MPGe
EPA range: 350 miles

Dual permanent-magnet electric motors (EQS 580 4Matic)
107.8-kWh lithium-ion battery
516 horsepower (combined)
631 lb-ft of torque
EPA combined fuel economy: 94 MPGe
EPA range: 340 miles

Dual permanent-magnet electric motors (Mercedes-AMG EQS)
107.8-kWh lithium-ion battery
649 horsepower combined (752 with AMG Dynamic Plus))
700 lb-ft of torque (752 with AMG Dynamic Plus)
EPA combined fuel economy: N/A
EPA range (estimated): 300 miles