2022 Mercedes-EQ EQS: 6 Things We Like and 4 We Don’t

Mercedes-Benz has joined the ranks of automakers going electric — and in a big way. The new luxury flagship EQS is the first of six electric vehicles set to arrive within the next two years, all of which will be marketed under the new Mercedes-EQ sub-brand.

Related: 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQS Review: Ze Germans Embrace ze Future

Two flavors of the EQS are available to start, the EQS450 Plus and EQS580 4Matic. The performance-focused AMG EQS sedan will follow, along with the EQS SUV and EQE mid-size sedan and SUV. All will use a new platform designed specifically for EVs, aptly dubbed Electric Vehicle Architecture in Mercedes-speak.

Aimed squarely at competitors, such as the Tesla Model S, the EQS is more tech-focused and less conservative than the more coddling and traditional S-Class. It’s not intended as a replacement for the S-Class, however, which was also redesigned for 2021.

We recently had a chance to sample the EQS450 Plus and EQS580 4Matic and came away largely impressed. The EQS comes packed with the tech features favored by Tesla buyers and delivers Mercedes-Benz levels of powertrain refinement and sophistication. But not all is perfect. Here are six things we like about the 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQS, and four we don’t.

For a quick look at the good and bad, read on. For a more detailed evaluation, click the link above to read Aaron Bragman’s complete review.

Things We Like

1. Impressive Powertrain Choices

Like the S-Class, both EQS variants are smooth, quick and quiet, with the added benefit of the instantaneous response and torque of an electric powertrain. The EQS450 Plus is a rear-wheel-drive single-motor model good for 329 horsepower and 419 pounds-feet of torque. The all-wheel-drive EQS580 4Matic gets a dual-motor setup cranking out 516 hp and 631 pounds-feet of torque. Both use a 112-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery mounted under the floor. Mercedes claims a 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds for the EQS450 Plus and 4.1 seconds for the EQS580 — impressive numbers for a vehicle this size.

2. Refined Ride

A standard air suspension lets the EQS waft over bumps, with a hushed and isolated feel far removed from any road imperfections. The steering is accurate, but has only moderate feedback — much like an S-Class. More of a grand tourer than a sports car, the EQS is tuned for a painless driving experience rather than carving corners, and it succeeds at its mission. If a more engaging experience behind the wheel is what you’re after, you may want to wait for the AMG version.

3. Rear Steering

What really helps with EQS handling is standard rear steering, which lets the rear wheels turn up to 10 degrees in the opposite direction of the front wheels for increased maneuverability in low-speed situations or turn with the front wheels for quicker lane-change response. It makes a big difference in the car’s overall feel, enabling a tighter turning circle in close quarters and a more agile feel on two-lane roads. The net result is a car that feels smaller and nimbler than its size would suggest.  

4. Quick Charging Options

Recharging the EQS will take about 11 hours using a 32-amp, 240-volt Level 2 charger, while a quick boost from a 10% to 80% charge can be accomplished in about 31 minutes using a 200-kilowatt DC fast charger.

5. Impressive Screen

Slide behind the wheel and the first thing to grab your attention is the aptly named Hyperscreen, a gigantic 56-inch-long curved glass surface; it’s spread across the dashboard and houses three separate digital displays. Centered in front of the driver is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, while a huge 17.7-inch center touchscreen houses navigation and other controls. A third 12.3-inch screen sits ahead of the front passenger, enabling the co-pilot to access certain menu functions.

6. Augmented Reality

Mercedes-Benz has long been a leader with augmented reality features, and the EQS continues that progression. A front camera displays a view of the road ahead on the center screen, with arrows overlaid to indicate your intended route. Better still, similar blue arrows are simultaneously displayed on the head-up screen in the driver’s line of sight, making them easier to see without taking your eyes off the road.

Things We Don’t

1. Tough Brakes

For all its powertrain smoothness and sophistication, the EQS is a big disappointment on the braking front. Like many EVs, the EQS combines electric regenerative braking with a conventional hydraulic system, and lets the driver choose between four levels of the former. The problem is that the systems don’t play well together. Regardless of the chosen setting, pedal travel is long, and the brakes feel spongy with little feedback. The most aggressive regenerative setting actually moves the pedal on its own, leaving your foot reaching for an already depressed brake pedal.

2. Big Screen Issues

We’re not big fans of the heavy use of touch-sensitive controls, which are generally harder and more distracting to use. For all its impressive wizardry, the big Hyperscreen is no exception. But the simple size of it at least serves to reduce those frustrations thanks to its correspondingly larger buttons that are easier to use than small icons in smaller screens.

3. Missing Some Luxury

The EQS is well equipped to do battle in the luxury car tech wars, but Mercedes-Benz has cut some corners in other areas to offset the cost of all that tech. The choice of 64 different interior lighting colors doesn’t make up for cheaper materials and execution. One example is the center console, which is constructed of hard plastic with a hollow feel. We also noticed lots of windshield reflection from the plastic surrounding the head-up display. Overall, decisions like these make the interior feel substandard compared to the S-Class.

4. Limited Interior Room

Not only does the interior fall short of Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury standards, its relatively smaller dimensions make for a more cramped cabin. A narrower driver’s seat area and low roofline lend a less-than-spacious feel, and things don’t get any better in back. The lower roof really cuts into rear seat headroom, and a high floor results in a knees-up seating position.

More From Cars.com:

• Here Are the New Electric Vehicles Planned by 2025
• 2022 Mercedes EQS: Think of It as an Electric S-Class
• All-Electric 2022 Mercedes-EQ EQS Sedan Starts at $103,360
• 2023 Mercedes-EQ EQE: Like the EQS, in a Smaller Package

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